UK’s Covid deaths fall by more than three quarters in a week
UK coronavirus deaths have dropped by more than three quarters in a week as seven fatalities were revealed today.
The number of positive coronavirus test results fell slightly to 1,907 from last Saturday’s 2,061 as the further easing of lockdown rules looks set to go ahead on May 17.
While last Saturday 15 people in the UK died of coronavirus, today the Government announced seven deaths, demonstrating a steady decline in fatalities.
It comes after Office for National Statistics data suggested the total number of infections is lower than at any point since early September and infections have been falling constantly for five weeks.
Experts said the data ‘should be celebrated’ and were the first proof that, despite the reopening of outdoor hospitality and allowing the rule of six earlier this month, there was still ‘no evidence of an increased transmission risk’.
Evidence that Covid has been stamped out in Britain is now overwhelming as the vaccine rollout speeds ahead and official figures show 22million people – one in three – live in areas where not a single person has died with the virus this month.
And Britons will be allowed to hug their friends and family in just over a fortnight as ministers look set to follow through with the next stage of Boris Johnson‘s roadmap out of lockdown.
The country’s hugely-successful vaccine drive – coupled with social distancing rules – has meant just one in 1,000 people in England now have Covid, and the R rate is still below 1.
The drop in figures means the government will likely approve the next stage of England’s lockdown easing on May 17.
From that date, limits on outdoor meetings are set to be lifted while the rule of six – or two households rule – will apply indoors.
And international travel looks set to resume as well, but with mandatory Covid tests and quarantine likely remaining in place for most holiday destinations, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Ministers could also relax social distancing between friends and family on May 17 – meaning loved ones kept apart for months may finally be allowed to hug.
Government guidance states the advice ‘on social distancing between friends and family’ will be updated on May 17.
And a source told The Times: ‘The data is looking very good. The scientists say we’re on track for the next stage unless something changes dramatically.’
Source: Thanks msn.com