COVID-19: UK Reports Lowest Daily Cases Since Early September

Almost two weeks since non-essential shops and outdoor hospitality reopened, there have been another 1,712 confirmed cases and 11 deaths within 28 days of a positive test. That compares to 1,882 and 10 last Sunday, and 1,730 and seven the Sunday before that.

First vaccinations have reached a total of 33,666,638, with another 142,215 being administered on Saturday. Another 498,430 second shots were given, taking the total to 12,587,116.

There was no data provided from Scotland for the latest 24 hours, however - meaning that second doses almost certainly surpassed 500,000 yesterday. The UK government's COVID dashboard said "processing issues" were behind the lack of statistics from Scotland.

In Northern Ireland, the devolved government has announced that people aged 35 to 39 will be able to book a vaccination from 8am on Monday. Anyone born between 1 April 1981 and 30 April 1986 can book an appointment at a regional vaccination centre or participating community pharmacy - ideally online, but by phone on 0300 200 7813 if preferred.

The positive outlook across the four nations has allowed the UK government to send surplus medical supplies - including ventilators - to India, which has seen record numbers of cases and deaths.

Meanwhile, a top travel boss has told Sky News he is "confident" Britons will be allowed to holiday abroad again from 17 May - while most of the Mediterranean hotspots "will be open" when schools break up for summer. Under Boris Johnson's roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions, international travel without one of the current exemptions - which exclude holidays - won't be allowed any earlier than 17 May.

Alan French, Thomas Cook chief executive, said he backed a traffic light system, under which different countries would be classed as green, amber, or red. But Germany's government has said it does not expect to lift restrictions before the end of May.

Finance Minister Olaf Scholz told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper that ministers should be able to outline "clear and courageous opening steps" for the summer by the end of May, allowing restaurants to adjust reopening plans and citizens to plan holidays.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Germans to stick to tougher rules imposed in areas with high infection rates, saying measures imposed at the weekend were needed to break a third wave of infections.







Source: Sky News
Image Source: Getty Images