Another 17 deaths and 2,193 COVID cases have been reported in the UK in the latest daily figures.

It compares with the 15 deaths within 28 days of a positive test and 2,490 cases recorded this time last week.

A further 209,284 people had their first dose of a COVID vaccine and 428,041 have had their second shot.

It brings the total who have had one dose to 36,115,955, while 19,319,010 have had two doses.

The figures come after four people died in the UK with the Indian variant of COVID-19 – the first known domestic deaths from the new variant of the virus.

According to data published by the government, the four deaths from the B.1.617.2 strain of the virus, now designated a “variant of concern”, took place between 5 May and 12 May.

Meanwhile, Number 10 has said the prime minister is to hold a Downing Street coronavirus news conference later today.

Boris Johnson is expected to discuss the spread of the Indian COVID-19 variant – and the steps the government is taking to combat it – when he addresses the nation at 5.30pm alongside England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty.

Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world

Elsewhere, Portugal has confirmed that tourists from the UK will be able to travel to the country from Monday.

The country’s foreign affairs minister has said anyone arriving from 17 May must have had a negative PCR result within the previous 72 hours.

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