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Covid: UK records new daily high of 1,610 deaths | Covid: UK records new daily high of 1,610 deaths |
(30 minutes later) | |
A further 1,610 people have died in the UK within 28 days of a positive Covid test - the biggest figure reported in a single day since the pandemic began. | A further 1,610 people have died in the UK within 28 days of a positive Covid test - the biggest figure reported in a single day since the pandemic began. |
It means the total number of deaths by that measure is now above 90,000. | It means the total number of deaths by that measure is now above 90,000. |
A total of 4,266,577 people have now received the first dose of a vaccine, according to the latest government figures. | A total of 4,266,577 people have now received the first dose of a vaccine, according to the latest government figures. |
Another 33,355 positive Covid cases have been recorded - less than half the peak figure of 68,053 on 8 January. | |
It is the lowest number of daily cases seen since 27 December - before the start of England's third nationwide lockdown. | |
Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director at Public Health England, said: "Whilst there are some early signs that show our sacrifices are working, we must continue to strictly abide by the measures in place." | |
She said reducing contact with others and staying at home will lead to "a fall in the number of infections over time". | |
Covid antibodies in 1 in 10 people in December | Covid antibodies in 1 in 10 people in December |
Health secretary self-isolating after Covid alert | Health secretary self-isolating after Covid alert |
The figures come as new estimates from the Office for National Statistics show about one in 10 people across the UK tested positive for Covid-19 antibodies in December - roughly double the October figure. | |
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said he is self-isolating after being alerted by the UK's NHS Covid-19 app. | Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said he is self-isolating after being alerted by the UK's NHS Covid-19 app. |
He said self-isolation was "perhaps the most important part of all the social distancing" and urged others to do the same if contacted. | He said self-isolation was "perhaps the most important part of all the social distancing" and urged others to do the same if contacted. |
The rising number of deaths was to be expected sadly after the surge in cases during December. | |
And it is likely that the coming weeks will see figures even higher than this. | |
Today's numbers are, though, inflated by the fact that delays in registering deaths over the weekend tends to lead to higher figures being reported on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. | |
On average, the UK is recording over 1,100 deaths a day. | |
To put that in context, at Christmas it was less than half of that. | |
But there are two rays of hope in the daily update. | |
Firstly, the number of cases is below 40,000 for a third day in a row. Just two weeks ago we saw a few days above 60,000. | |
That means in the coming weeks we should start to see fewer people in hospital and eventually fewer deaths. | |
The number of vaccinations also continues to rise. | |
It seems unlikely the NHS will manage its target of two million doses a week just yet. | |
But each increase at least takes us one step closer to getting on top of the virus. | |
The previous highest number of daily deaths was last Wednesday, when 1,564 deaths were recorded. | |
In total, 91,470 people have died within 28 days of testing positive, but there are other ways of measuring the total number of deaths. | In total, 91,470 people have died within 28 days of testing positive, but there are other ways of measuring the total number of deaths. |
When all deaths where coronavirus is mentioned on the death certificate are counted, that figure has now officially reached 99,813, although that is only measured up to 8 January. | |
Another method is to count excess deaths - all deaths over and above the usual number at the time of year. | Another method is to count excess deaths - all deaths over and above the usual number at the time of year. |
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