Sunshine and new hope: Covid cases fall by a FIFTH to 6,035 and deaths plummet to 144 as vaccinations pass 20millon mark and sun lovers get out to enjoy start of Spring
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Britain has reported a further 6,035 coronavirus cases within the previous 24 hours and 144 more deaths within 28 days of a positive test.
The latest figures mean cases over the past seven days were down 21.2 per cent compared with the previous seven-day period, and deaths were down 33.5 per cent.
Today’s figures also mark a 40 per cent drop in infections since last Sunday’s figure of 9,834 and a drop in deaths from 215.
Meanwhile a total of 20.09 million people have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, official data released on Sunday showed.
It comes as balmy temperatures have seen locals hitting the streets while sunworshippers flocked to the beaches this afternoon despite the nationwide lockdown.
In Newcastle hordes of shoppers were spotted descending on to the Quayside this morning despite government appeals to stay indoors
Weather forecasters have predicted the mercury will rise to a sizzling 73F (23C) by April as spring is set start tomorrow.
The UK has suffered through the coldest winter for three years according to the Met Office and after a week of 64F (18C) spring is around the corner.
Surfers and swimmers were seen on Branksome Beach in Dorset making the most of the sunny skies and some were even spotted without wetsuits as they braved the chilly waters.
Surfers and swimmers were seen on Branksome Beach in Dorset making the most of the sunny skies and some were even spotted without wetsuits as they braved the chilly waters
Dogwalkers took to the beach in Camber, Sussex, this morning to celebrate sunny skies and warmer weather
Locals hit the beach in Broadstairs, Kent, and make the most of the balmy temperatures
A woman was spotted lying down to bathe in the sun on the beach in Broadstairs in Kent today
In Newcastle hordes of locals were spotted descending on to the Quayside this morning despite government appeals to stay indoors.
And police were seen patrolling the beach in Brighton as people stopped to sit on the pebbles this morning.
However mild temperatures will drop for a five-day cold burst from Thursday.
Snow flurries are likely in the east as temperatures halve to 5C, with frost and freezing nights set to dip towards the -6C seen in Scotland this morning.
But warm southerly winds are poised to send highs pushing towards 73F (23C) by early April, ex-BBC and Met Office forecaster John Hammond of weathertrending said.
It would cheer millions as households meet from March 29 and pub beer gardens reopen from April 12.
Swimmers in Banksome Beach were seen braving the water without wetsuits as the mercury rises
Runners and walkers were seen enjoying the sunny weather on Branksome Beach in Dorset this morning
And police were seen patrolling the beach in Brighton as people stopped to sit on the pebbles this morning
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: ‘A colder north-easterly airstream will be introduced across the UK later in the week.’
The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: ‘Spring is starting but winter may return, with wintry showers in eastern Britain.’
A Met Office forecaster said: ‘A short colder spell is likely at the end of the week for a time. Frost and fog may occur.’
Ex-BBC and Met Office forecaster John Hammond of weathertrending said: ‘Much chillier northeasterly winds from Scandinavia may be cold enough for a wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow in showers arriving across the North Sea.
‘But by late March, with temperatures dependent on wind direction, southerly winds could perhaps send the mercury into the low 20s as days grow longer than nights.’
A Met Office forecaster said: ‘Brief colder intervals are also possible from March 14-28, although temperatures are most likely to be around or a little above average overall.’