THE UK's Covid death toll now tops 60,000, according to devastating new data.

Figures published today show more than 61,000 people have suffered coronavirus-related deaths.

Information released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows 54,609 deaths involving Covid-19 occurred in England and Wales up to October 16 and had been registered by October 24.

Separate figures published last week by the National Records for Scotland show 4,376 deaths involving the virus had been registered here as of October 18.

A total of 942 coronavirus-related deaths occurred in Northern Ireland up to October 16 and had been registered up to October 21, according to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

Together, these figures mean that so far 59,927 deaths have been registered in the UK when the virus was mentioned on the death certificate, including suspected cases.

But since these statistics were compiled, a further 1,189 deaths are known to have occurred in the UK, according to additional data published on the UK Government's coronavirus dashboard.

In England, 1,044 Covid-19 deaths are known to have taken place between October 17 and 25, with 62 in Wales and 47 in Northern Ireland.

In Scotland, 36 deaths occurred between October 19 and 25.

When all these totals are added together, it means that so far 61,116 deaths involving Covid-19 have taken place in the UK.

The Government's coronavirus dashboard updates each day after 4pm.

All figures are based on the most recent update, which took place on Monday afternoon.

According to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering, the UK has the fifth highest death toll in the world.

Only the US, India, Brazil and Mexico are higher.