SLOWING THE SPREAD
UK Covid deaths fall 80% in a MONTH as 141 fatalities are reported while cases fall by 54%
THE number of new UK Covid deaths today plunged by 80 per cent in a month as another 141 fatalities were recorded.
The daily rise is down by more than two thirds on the figure recorded on February 17, when 738 Covid deaths were confirmed.
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Another 5,758 new cases of the bug were confirmed today - down 54 per cent on the 12,718 recorded four weeks ago.
Today's figures are also smaller than - although fairly similar to - the numbers logged a week ago today, when deaths grew by 190 and cases rose by 5,926.
It means a total of 4,274,579 have tested positive for the bug in Britain since the start of the pandemic, while 125,831 have died.
It comes as...
- Brussels threatens to SEIZE Oxford AZ jab factories with ‘Stalinist’ powers despite several EU countries pulling it
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- All over 50s who’ve not had Covid vaccine can book their appointment online now
- UK eyeing vaccine passports to open up economy & travel – as EU unveil its own plans today in boost to summer hols hopes
- French PM FINALLY calls for Paris lockdown as planes airlift Covid patients from city and EU dithers over vaccine chaos
- Boris Johnson is booked in to get Covid vaccine ‘shortly’ – and he’s getting AstraZeneca
It comes as the UK's vaccine rollout continues to go from strength to strength, with all over 50s now being told to book their jabs online.
By the weekend, one in two in this country are expected to have been protected against the virus as the immunisation blitz ramps up.
The Prime Minister is expected to get his jab this week - insisting it will "certainly be the Oxford AstraZeneca" one as he joins regulators in vouching for its safety.
A total of 18 European nations have now paused use of the Oxford vaccine over unsubstantiated reports it triggers blood clots.
And Brussels today threatened to seize factories on the continent producing the jab.
In a dramatic escalation, EU boss Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc could suspend patents on the lifesaving vaccine so anyone could produce it - but critics branded the threats "Stalinist."
But she said she would not rule out triggering emergency powers to "make sure Europeans are vaccinated as soon as possible" - warning "all options are on the table".
The World Health Organisation has recommended countries keep using the AstraZeneca jab, as the fallout from the pause continues.
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A statement said: "At this time, WHO considers that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh its risks and recommends that vaccinations continue."
Meanwhile, the Health Secretary last night reassured Sun readers they had nothing to fear with the Oxford jab.
He also hit back at the criticism from European nations who have paused the jab, despite their own regulator giving in the green light and promising it is safe.
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