The UK death toll has risen to 40,261 after a further 357 people died with coronavirus.

The updated death toll covers all settings – including hospitals, care homes and the wider community.

As of 9am on Friday, there have been 5,214,277 tests overall, the Department of Health and Social Care said today.

They added that 207,231 tests had taken place on 4 June, meaning the government has met its capacity target of 200,000 a day.

It comes as researchers find undiagnosed coronavirus is a ‘likely explanation’ for some of the excess deaths not directly linked to Covid-19.

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Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that there have been more than 46,000 excess deaths in England and Wales since the start of the deadly outbreak in comparison to previous years.

New analysis found that 28% of these excess deaths, registered between March 7 and May 1, did not involve coronavirus – a total of 12,900 deaths.

However, the ONS has claimed that it is ‘likely’ that these people will have had undiagnosed Covid-19 – despite the disease not being listed on the death certificate.

The government stepped up the fight against the virus yesterday by announcing that face coverings would be mandatory for passengers on public transport in England from June 15.

Those who refuse to comply with the new regulations could be refused travel and could be fined under the National Rail Conditions of Travel and the Public Service Vehicle Regulations for Buses.

The new development is confirmed as Boris Johnson’s personal approval rating plunges by 40 points in under two months, with many members of the public questioning his handling of the pandemic.

The country appeared to back the prime minister when he recovered from his battle with coronavirus in May, according to a poll for MailOnline.

Polls at the time showed that 59% approved of his handling of the crisis, while 21% disapproved, giving a net rating of +38, research by Redfield & Wilton Strategies stated.

However, a survey conducted by the same firm this week revealed that just 39% approve of Mr Johnson’s management, with disapproval rising to 44%, yielding a net rating of -5.

The Conservative government has come under fire over the past few months for seeking to lift lockdown restrictions too soon, difficulties securing personal protective equipment for frontline medics and the spread of the virus throughout care homes.

Another big factor in the Tory leader’s plummeting approval rates is his backing for his chief aide Dominic Cummings, who was accused of breaking lockdown rules in May.

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