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Covid: UK records new daily high of 1,610 deaths | Covid: UK records new daily high of 1,610 deaths |
(about 1 hour 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. | 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. | 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." | 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". | 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. | 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. |
The rising number of deaths was to be expected, sadly, after the surge in cases during December. | 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. | 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. | 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 more than 1,100 deaths a day. | On average, the UK is recording more than 1,100 deaths a day. |
To put that in context, at Christmas it was less than half of that. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | But each increase at least takes us one step closer to getting on top of the virus. |
Meanwhile, NHS England said 400 military personnel were now assisting in hospitals in London and the Midlands, as wards face "unprecedented pressure". | Meanwhile, NHS England said 400 military personnel were now assisting in hospitals in London and the Midlands, as wards face "unprecedented pressure". |
On Monday, Prof Stephen Powis, national medical director for NHS England, said it would be "some time" before the vaccination programme begins to reduce pressures on hospitals. | On Monday, Prof Stephen Powis, national medical director for NHS England, said it would be "some time" before the vaccination programme begins to reduce pressures on hospitals. |
Widower says pregnant women 'neglected in pandemic' | Widower says pregnant women 'neglected in pandemic' |
Covid 'can affect anybody,' warn patient's family | Covid 'can affect anybody,' warn patient's family |
And in other developments, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said he is self-isolating after being alerted by the UK's NHS Covid-19 app .that he had been in close contact with somebody who tested positive. | And in other developments, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said he is self-isolating after being alerted by the UK's NHS Covid-19 app .that he had been in close contact with somebody who tested positive. |
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. |
Martin Freeborn's wife, Helen, died from Covid at the Royal London Hospital: 'Don't end up like us, please' | Martin Freeborn's wife, Helen, died from Covid at the Royal London Hospital: 'Don't end up like us, please' |
The previous highest number of daily deaths was last Wednesday, when 1,564 deaths were recorded. | The previous highest number of daily deaths was last Wednesday, when 1,564 deaths were recorded. |
Tuesday's figure brings the total number of deaths recorded during the pandemic in the UK to 91,470. | Tuesday's figure brings the total number of deaths recorded during the pandemic in the UK to 91,470. |
These government figures count people who died within 28 days of testing positive, but there are other ways of measuring the total number of deaths. | These government figures count people who died within 28 days of testing positive, but there are other ways of measuring the total number of deaths. |
Another method is to count all deaths where coronavirus is mentioned on the death certificate. That figure has now officially reached 95,829, although that is only measured up to 8 January. | Another method is to count all deaths where coronavirus is mentioned on the death certificate. That figure has now officially reached 95,829, although that is only measured up to 8 January. |
The UK has recorded the fifth-highest number of deaths globally, according to Johns Hopkins University - behind the US, Brazil, India and Mexico. | The UK has recorded the fifth-highest number of deaths globally, according to Johns Hopkins University - behind the US, Brazil, India and Mexico. |
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted that "British people are paying the price for the government's serial incompetence". | |
LOOK-UP TOOL: How many cases in your area? | LOOK-UP TOOL: How many cases in your area? |
YOUR QUESTIONS: We answer your queries | YOUR QUESTIONS: We answer your queries |
GLOBAL SPREAD: How many worldwide cases are there? | GLOBAL SPREAD: How many worldwide cases are there? |
THE R NUMBER: What it means and why it matters | THE R NUMBER: What it means and why it matters |
RADIO 1'S WORKOUT ANTHEMS: 24 energising songs to keep you motivated | RADIO 1'S WORKOUT ANTHEMS: 24 energising songs to keep you motivated |
BAD PEOPLE: Charles Sobhraj is a convicted killer and the inspiration for the BBC drama, The Serpent. What made him commit such crimes? | BAD PEOPLE: Charles Sobhraj is a convicted killer and the inspiration for the BBC drama, The Serpent. What made him commit such crimes? |