UK Covid deaths down a quarter in a week as 1,001 more die and cases drop by a third to 13,013

COVID deaths in the UK today dropped by a quarter in a week as 1,001 more died with cases down by a third.

The latest 13,013 infections have brought the total number of positive cases to 3,985,161.

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A further 1,001 deaths have been reported - with the total number of victims in the UK now at 114,851.

This is a quarter lower than last Wednesday, when 1,322 new deaths were recorded with a further 19,202 cases.

It comes as...

• Holidays at home and abroad may be scrapped for the rest of the year
• The Oxford/AstraZeneca jab is effective in all adults, WHO says
• Covid causes more than just three symptoms, more research has shown
• Boris says Brits will have to get used to a never-ending cycle of vaccines and boosters to tackle mutant variants
• Cases are still rising in seven areas in England with an interactive map revealing where

During the April peak, the highest Covid daily death toll recorded was 1,010.

So far in January and February, that tragic figure has been exceeded on 22 days.

But there are now tentative hopes the country is now getting past the darkest days of the crisis with deaths down by 80 per cent from the start of the year.

On Monday, deaths fell to their lowest level in six weeks with 333 fatalities.

The data also shows that up to February 9, 13,058,298 people have received their first dose of the Covid jab - a rise of 411,812 on the previous day.

This means nearly one in four adults in the UK have received a first dose.

Around 519,553 have received a second dose - an increase of 3,161 on figures released the previous day.

The seven-day rolling average of first doses given in the UK is now 433,728.

Based on the latest figures, an average of 388,340 first doses of vaccine would be needed each day to meet the Government's target of 15 million first doses by February 15.

In England today, 664 more deaths were reported in hospitals - bringing the total number of deaths to 77,253.

The latest victims were aged between 21 and 100 with all but 26 having known underlying health conditions.

Wales has suffered a further 21 deaths, with their total now at 5,032.

In Scotland, 50 new deaths were reported - bringing the total to 6,551.

While in Northern Ireland, a further four deaths were recorded with the total now 1,957.

It comes as Boris Johnson prepares to hold a press conference tonight.

Boris will likely outline the latest vaccination hubs to open across the nation as the Covid jab continues to be rolled out.

The PM will next week unveil his road map out of lockdown amid hopes some restrictions could soon be eased.

But hopes for British holidays were dashed by the Transport Secretary today.

Speaking on Sky News, Grant Shapps explained: "The truth is we just don’t know how the virus will respond to both to the vaccines and of course how people will respond.

"I’m afraid I can’t give you a definitive, will there or will there not be the opportunity to take holidays this next year either at home or abroad."