Another 33,865 coronavirus cases and 293 deaths have been reported in the UK, according to the latest figures.

It compares with 40,777 cases and 40 deaths within 28 days of a positive test yesterday, and 40,954 cases and 263 deaths this time last week.

Today’s figure also includes the number of deaths in England for Monday, which had not previously been reported.

Average daily cases have fallen slightly in the last few weeks – from more than 47,000 to just over 40,000.

The latest tally (up to 1 November) of people who’ve had a booster vaccine stands at 8,356,172, while 45,731,565 have had two doses.

Some 50,025,020 have had at least one shot, which equates to 87% of people aged 12 and over in the UK.

There were 9,538 people in hospital with COVID-19 on Monday, compared with 6,467 a month ago and 2,013 on 2 July.

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However, it’s much lower than mid-January when it reached over 39,000.

It comes as fears have been raised over coronavirus testing centres reducing their opening hours due to “limited demand” in the evenings.

There are worries the most disadvantaged won’t be able to get tests.

From 1 November, NHS Test and Trace sites in England are closing two hours earlier – at 6pm instead of 8pm.

The government said analysis showed limit demand for testing, and that the decision “provides the best possible value for taxpayers’ money”.

People unable to attend PCR test appointments before 6pm can still get home testing kits delivered.

In other coronavirus developments, figures showed the proportion of children out of school for COVID-related reasons in England rose in the week before half-term.

The Department for Education estimates 3.2% of all pupils – around 248,000 children – were off on 21 October, up from 2.6% the week before.

The main reason was a confirmed coronavirus case, with around 127,000 pupils off for this reason, compared to around 111,000 a week before.

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