The number of people who lose their lives daily to the coronavirus continues to fall in the UK, while non-essential shops are allowed to open for the first time in months

A further 38 people have died of Covid-19 in the UK in one of the lowest daily falls since lockdown began.

A total of 41,736 people have now died of the disease in all settings, including hospitals, care homes and the broader community.

The Department of Health announced that 1,056 more people have tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the country wide total to 296,857 confirmed cases so far.

An additional 93,163 tests were taken in the past day.

The rise in deaths reported today is the second lowest since March 27, with only yesterday having fewer at 36.

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Earlier on today it was announced that 32 people who had caught the disease had died in UK hospitals.

That is the second lowest daily death toll in medical settings since the lockdown began.

Both the hospital death toll and the one for the broader community are generally lower on Mondays and Sundays, due to a lag in weekend reporting.

However, today's total deaths represent a week-on-week decline.

Last Monday 55 people were added to the death toll, the lowest increase since March 27 up until that point.

The data released today by the Government does not include all deaths involving Covid-19 across the UK.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the full death toll for the UK is thought to have passed 52,000.

The latest figures came as shops around the UK reopened today in the latest easing of lockdown rules.

Coronavirus death tolls explained

Deaths in UK hospitals so far: 32,418

Deaths across all settings: 41,736

(The two figures above count all people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS lab in the UK)

Total deaths registered so far: 46,687

(This is the number of registered deaths in England and Wales where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate)

Excess deaths (from March 21 to May 31): 63,596

(The number of deaths in England and Wales above the average amount, but not necessarily caused by Covid-19)

Sources: coronavirus.data.gov.uk and ONS

Non-essential stores have been able to reopen, providing they can meet the government's social distancing and hygiene standards for staff and shoppers.

It is unclear how the death toll will be affected by the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Hundreds of shoppers have been pictured outside Sports Direct stores across England, after the chain reopened its doors with a rare '50% off discount' for NHS workers.

Crowds were pictured at 7am on Monday morning, hoping to pick up bargains just  a day after one branch was ordered to close by police.

In Sunderland, shoppers reported mile-long queues outside the sports giant - with similar scenes at several other branches.

Christian Metson, who works for the NHS, joined the queue outside Sports Direct on Oxford Street in central London.

"I'm just here for the discount, otherwise I wouldn't be here," the 33-year-old said.