The death toll in hospitals from coronavirus in the UK rises by 103 in the highest increase on Monday since June

The number of coronavirus patients dying in UK hospitals has risen by 103, health authorities announced.

The latest figure includes 91 victims in England, six in Wales, five in Northern Ireland and one in Scotland.

The North West recorded the highest number of deaths in England with 29, followed by the North East and Yorkshire which recorded 24.

Those who died in England were between 44 and 95 years old, and all had known underlying health problems.

A week ago there were 84 confirmed hospital deaths, the highest number on a Monday since early June.

By comparison, tolls announced on recent Mondays were 43 on October 12, 10 on October 5, 10 on September 28, and 12 on September 21.

Later today the Department of Health and Social Assistance will release the latest daily figure in all settings.

Yesterday 151 deaths were recorded across the UK, while 19,790 people tested positive in 24 hours.

It comes amid optimism in the scientific world about how quickly a vaccine could be available.

Professor Adrian Hill, founder and director of the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford, says the vaccine must get approval before Christmas so it can be used in doctors and the elderly before the trial ends.

The vaccine will then be rolled out to the rest of the UK from early 2021, according to Professor Hill.

According to the Daily Mail, while speaking online with members of Magdalen College, Oxford, Professor Hill said: “The initial license would be for emergency use, not for full approval.

“They will want to see more data on safety and maybe efficacy before giving a license to vaccinate everyone. In this country, our priorities are pretty clear … we’re going to vaccinate the high-risk people before vaccinating the young, the fit and healthy who are at lower risk. I think most countries will.

“So what we’re looking for this year is an ’emergency use’ authorization that will allow us to go and vaccinate those most at risk as a priority, and then early next year everyone else.”