UK Covid deaths rise by another 1,348 as fatalities top 1,000 for fifth day in a row and 33,552 new cases reported

CORONAVIRUS deaths have risen by 1,348 as fatalities topped 1,000 for the fifth day running. 

Infections have increased by 33,552, bringing the total to 3,617,459.

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Today’s increase in fatalities brings the total since the beginning of the pandemic to 97,329.

It is higher than last Saturday’s figure of 1,295, and also marks an increase on the 1,035 fatalities reported a fortnight ago. 

It comes as:

• The coronavirus vaccine rollout hit a new daily record with 1.2 million jabs doled out in the last three days, NHS figures show
• Senior doctors called on the government to halve the gap between doses of the Pfizer jab to six weeks
• Scientists today said it is not "clear" if the mutant Covid strain is 30-90 per cent more deadly after a warning from Boris Johnson last night
• Covid hotspots appear to be more in northern areas now, according to PHE data

Meanwhile, deaths in English hospitals increased by 710, bringing the total to 65,814.

Patients were aged between 25 and 101 years old. All except 33 (aged 28 to 93 years old) had known underlying health conditions.

Scotland and Wales recorded 76 and 27  hospital fatalities respectively, while deaths in Northern Ireland rose by 12.

It comes as scientists today said it is not "clear" if the mutant Covid strain is 30-90 per cent more deadly after a warning from Boris Johnson last night.

After the PM spoke to the nation it has been revealed evidence handed to him on deaths rising was ";only 50 per cent certain", with more fatalities just a "possibility".

Today, Public Health England's medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle said more work was needed to determine whether it is accurate there is a higher mortality rate.

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There are several investigations going on at the moment. It is not absolutely clear that that will be the case. It is too early to say."

"There is some evidence, but it is very early evidence. It is small numbers of cases and it is far too early to say this will actually happen."

Despite rising concerns over the Kent variant, the government announced a record total in vaccinations today as 425,596 Brits received the jab yesterday.

It comes as a huge boost to the government’s target of vaccinating 13.5 million vulnerable people by mid-February.

Today’s figure marks an increase of 15,741 doses compared with yesterday, when 409,855 jabs were given out.

It brings the total number of vaccinations to 5,526,071 since the beginning of the rollout on December 8. 

The news comes as a huge boost to the government's target of vaccinating some 13.5 million Brits classed as vulnerable by mid-February, seen as key to lifting lockdown restrictions.

Immunisation rates must stay at around 400,000 to meet the PM's target, but earlier this week he insisted jabs were getting into arms "at an unprecedented rate".

The vaccine race has been boosted by the opening of vaccine hubs, which will allow the NHS to dole out tens of thousands more doses daily.

However, concerns have been raised by doctors over the government's decision to delay the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine by twelve weeks.

Dr Chaand Nagpaul, British Medical Association council chairman, warned that “no other nation” had adopted the UK’s policy - and urged the government to halve the space between doses.