Delta cases rise by 50,000 in a week – but jabs keeping Brits out of hospital
CASES of the Delta coronavirus variant have risen by over 50,000 in the last week, new data has revealed.
This is a 46 per cent increase on last week and means that the variant, which was first discovered in India, is now responsible for 95 per cent of cases across the UK.
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The UK has now seen a total of 161,981 cases of the variant, with an additional 50,824 just this week, Public Health England (PHE) said today.
Of the 161,981 cases, 148,538 have been in England, 10,185 in Scotland, 1,749 in Wales and 1,509 in Northern Ireland.
But a high take up of vaccines across the country has meant that while more people are becoming infected - less are ending up in hospital with the virus.
Over 85 per cent of adults have been vaccinated with a first dose, the Government said today, following rapid uptake from young people.
A further 63 per cent have had two doses, giving maximum protection.
So far in the UK 45 million people have received a first dose of their coronavirus vaccine, with over 33.2 million having had a second.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid has described it as a "phenomenal achievement".
"“Vaccines are the way out of this pandemic and we know they are breaking the link between cases and hospitalisations, with more than 27,000 lives saved and 7.2 million infections prevented in England alone so far," he said.
The government's plan is to give every adult a first dose by July 19 - when the final set of restrictions are set to be lifted.
Everyone over the age of 18 is now able to come forward to book their coronavirus vaccine.
It comes as:
- New North East Covid hotspot emerges – is your home on the list?
- Boris Johnson set to lift nearly all Covid restrictions from July 19 under new Freedom Day plans
- 5 million Brits to be ‘blocked from Euro holidays because Indian-made AZ vaccines not recognised by EU passport scheme’
- Plans to protect vulnerable ‘will see Brits facing FIVE WINTERS of Covid restrictions’ reportedly drawn up by officials
- Under-40s get ‘high’ Covid protection with single dose of Pfizer or Moderna jabs
The new Delta data from PHE comes after it was yesterday reported that Covid cases had doubled in the UK in the last week.
Another 27,989 new cases were recorded yesterday and 22 fatalities have been reported by the government.
The latest figures compare to 26,068 new infections and 14 fatalities on Thursday.
It's the highest number of daily new cases since January 29, when the UK was battling through some of the worst days of the pandemic.
Cases are up 71.8 per cent on this time last week, with the number of deaths up ten per cent.
The total death toll has now risen to 128,162 after the 22 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Experts have also revealed this week that just one dose of Pfizer or Moderna coronavirus vaccine gives under 40s "high protection" from the virus.
New findings show that one dose of Pfizer is 61 per cent effective against symptomatic disease while one dose of Moderna is 72 per cent effective.
This means that less people are likely to be sent to hospital with the virus - relieving pressure on the NHS.
Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency said it's important that as cases rise, people continue to be careful.
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She explained: "The best thing we can do to protect ourselves and the people we love is to get the vaccine if eligible, get tested twice a week and practice “hands, face, space, fresh air” at all times.
“Although cases are rising, we are not seeing a proportional rise in the number of people who are being admitted to hospital.
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"The data suggest this is testament to the success of the vaccination programme so far and clearly demonstrates the importance of getting both doses of the vaccine.
"Come forward as soon as you are eligible. It will help us to break the chain of transmission, and it will save lives.”