Coronavirus case: UK confirms 5,341 new positive tests
The numbers marked a big jump from the 3,240 infections reported a week ago. The government said four more people died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, bringing the UK total to 127,840. Separate figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that there have now been 153,000 recorded deaths in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
Today’s death toll was down from 13 on Saturday and six on Sunday.
The weekly surge in Covid cases comes as millions of Britons prepare for the complete lifting of restrictions later this month.
Boris Johnson is set to fully lift the lockdown on June 21.
Despite the emergence of new variants and an increase in cases, ministers did not indicate that the date would be pushed back.
Covid cases soar 65% as new variant settles in UK – fears of lockdown easing (Image: GETTY)
Matt Hancock said the government has yet to decide whether or not to lift the lockdown on June 21 (Image: GETTY)
However, a final decision has yet to be made.
The prime minister and members of his cabinet will meet on June 14 to decide whether to proceed with the plan.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday it was too early to say whether the date would be moved.
He said there had been a “very significant” impact from the delta variant of Covid, known as the Indian variant, over the past month.
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People in their 30s are offered the Covid jab (Image: GETTY)
It is now the dominant strain in England, according to official estimates.
Mr Hancock pointed to a further rise in coronavirus cases, but stressed he had been reassured by a broadly fixed rate of hospitalizations and deaths as officials considered ending the lockdown.
In an interview with Sky News, he said: “It is too early to make a final decision on this.
“The Prime Minister, I and the team will be looking at all the data this week.
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Matt Hancock said adults under 30 should be offered the jab next week (Image: GETTY)
Health Secretary Matt Hancock (Image: GETTY)
“We said we would give people enough time before the June 21 date.”
He added: “We are not saying ‘No’ to June 21 at this point.”
Mr Hancock said it was important for people to receive both doses of the Covid vaccine because data showed it could effectively protect against the delta variant.
The Prime Minister initially received praise for the rapid deployment of the vaccine in Britain.
UK Coronavirus Map (Image: EXPRESS)
Mr Hancock said the program has weakened, but not broken, the link between the virus, hospitalization and the death toll.
Last week Mr Johnson said he could see nothing in the data suggesting his plan to end England’s third national lockdown could be derailed.
However, he warned that caution was still needed.
The minister does not rule out postponing the date for the total lifting of confinement (Image: GETTY)
According to government data, on Saturday more than 27.6 million people in Britain have been fully vaccinated, having received two doses of the vaccine.
More than 40 million people have received their first dose.
The under 30 age group should be offered vaccines in a few days.
Mr Hancock said on Sunday: “Next week we will move on to opening vaccinations for those under 30 who are adults.”
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This notice was published: 2021-06-06 16:03:00
