Another 12,155 COVID-19 cases and 215 deaths of people who have tested positive for the virus have been recorded in the UK in the past 24 hours.

The number of cases is down from the 15,871 cases recorded on Saturday – and deaths are also down from 479.

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The government said that, as of 9am on Sunday, there had been a further 12,155 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.

It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 1,617,327, while the latest figures bring the total number of deaths involving COVID-19 to 58,245.

The latest figures come after new data on Friday showed the R number (the reproduction rate of the virus) has fallen to between 0.9 and 1 across the UK.

Some 99% of England’s population will fall under the two toughest tiers when the second national lockdown ends on Wednesday.

About 32 million people – covering 57.3% of England – will fall into Tier 2, and 23.3 million people – 41.5% of the population – are going to be placed in Tier 3.

On Saturday, Boris Johnson said the new coronavirus tiers have “a sunset” clause – or expiry date – of 3 February, as he tried to fight off a backlash from Tory MPs.

The prime minister has angered some of his party with a plan to impose stringent restrictions across much of England when the national lockdown ends.

More than 60 Tory MPs have voiced their unhappiness over tiering or have said they are unlikely to support the measures when it comes to the vote, according to a tally by Sky News.

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