UK’s daily Covid infections fall 16% in a week to 1,979 and deaths stay steady as another five victims are recorded
- Department of Health statistics showed 1,979 infections were registered in the last 24 hours, up eight per cent
- There were also five Covid deaths which was one more than at the same time last week, figures showed
- England today basked in new-found freedoms as more restrictions were eased to allow pubs and restaurants
- Boris Johnson has, however, called for Brits to proceed with a ‘heavy dose of caution’ due to the Indian strain
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Britain’s daily coronavirus cases have fallen by 16 per cent in a week while deaths remain steady, official figures revealed today.
Department of Health statistics showed 1,979 infections were spotted over the last 24 hours, down on last Monday. A further five fatalities were registered, one more than the same time last week.
Health chiefs also dished out another 131,318 first doses of the Covid vaccine, and 183,745 second doses. More Britons have got their first jab in recent days after the roll-out was expanded to 38 and 39-year-olds.
England today basked in new-found freedoms under the next stage of Boris Johnson’s roadmap, as pubs and restaurants were again allowed to serve indoors and people were permitted to invite others into their home.
The Prime Minister confirmed the relaxation would go ahead on Friday, but today warned Britons to proceed with a ‘heavy dose of caution’ because of fears over the Indian variant.
SAGE members admitted they would not be taking advantage of the freedoms because there was still a risk cases could spike.
It comes as official figures showed the Indian variant is now behind one in five Covid infections, with five out of six hotspots lagging behind in the vaccine roll-out. Cases are focused in London and the North West.
Number 10 today refused to rule out a return to local lockdowns as the mass easing of restrictions in England was tainted by fears that the new variant of the virus will take over and cause a third wave of infections.
Rifts are opening up between ministers and scientists over whether it will be safe to end lockdown as planned on June 21 with top SAGE advisers today admitting they won’t be enjoying new-found freedoms, which saw pubs and restaurants reopen indoors and home visits back on the cards, because of the threat of a huge spike in cases.
Department of Health figures showed of the deaths recorded today, three were in England and one was in Northern Ireland and Wales. There were no fatalities from the virus in Scotland.
Covid cases have plateaued recently amid mounting concern over the Indian variant, which scientists suggest could be 50 per cent more transmissible than the already dominant Kent variant.