VIRUS HOPE
Covid deaths drop to single figures for the first time in seven months with seven fatalities as cases fall by a quarter
CORONAVIRUS deaths have dropped to single figures for the first time in seven months the day before the next great unlocking of Britain unfolds.
Today's figures revealed seven deaths had occurred in the past 24 hours - the lowest daily figure since September 13 when there were five coronavirus-related deaths.
🔵 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates...
5
The latest figures show 1,730 new cases have been registered in the past 24 hours - again, the lowest daily number of infections since September 2 last year.
It means the total number of infections in the UK are now 4,369,775 while the death toll is 127,087.
Today's figures offer a glimmer of hope that the country is on top of the pandemic - just as Brits prepare for the next phase of lockdown lifting tomorrow with pubs and restaurants able to open for outdoor dining.
Deaths from coronavirus have also declined from yesterday - falling from 40 to seven today.
Last Sunday 10 people died within 28 days of testing positive for the virus following a seven-month low.
Figures from last week brought the number of deaths to 126,836.
Of new cases, there were 2,297 recorded infections across England last Sunday.
The number of Covid infections recorded yesterday meant that there had been a 24 per cent drop from last Saturday's 3,423 new cases.
It comes as...
- Thousands of more pubs can open on April 12 as outdoor boozing rules are eased
- More than half of Brits live in Covid-free areas
- Rishi Sunak facing calls to axe the tax on Covid tests before return of foreign holidays
- Covid vaccine passports will be short-term 'bridge to freedom'
The Scottish Government confirmed today the country's total coronavirus cases has reached 221,962.
There were no new hospital admissions yesterday but one person with the virus was admitted to intensive care.
The new cases represent 1.8 per cent of 15,916 people who had been tested for the virus, up from 0.3 per cent from yesterday.
5
5
5
5
From Monday England will enter a new lockdown phase which will allow shops, pubs and restaurants to reopen.
The easing of strict Covid restrictions will also see hair and nail salons, gyms, zoos and theme parks finally throw open their doors to millions of eager customers.
Lockdown measures were first eased on March 8, when schools reopened in England, followed by March 29, when millions saw the rule of six return.
Then, on Easter Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the roadmap dates he had initially set out will remain unchanged.
The next step of Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown is expected to happen on May 17.
Depending on the number of new cases and deaths, as well as the pressure on the NHS, more restrictions could be relaxed.
They include the reopening of indoor hospitality, more freedoms in terms of social contact and possibly the option to travel abroad on holiday.
Meanwhile more than half of Brits live in Covid-free areas just two months after England was ravaged by the killer bug.
Most read in News
Public data now shows some areas of the UK have not reported a single case in more than a month.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
With infections so low in areas, Public Health England has redacted weekly case tallies in a bid to stop people in those areas from identifying those who may have contracted the virus.
On PHE’s interactive map of the UK’s cases, information for many areas reads: “There were fewer than 3 cases. For smaller areas with fewer than 3 cases, we do not show data. This is to protect individuals' identities.”
Brits in 30s could be offered alternative to AstraZeneca Covid jab over rare blood clot fears
Topics