UK’s Covid deaths fall by more than three quarters in a week with 7 fatalities
UK records seven Covid deaths – down 75% in a week – while cases drop seven per cent to 1,907 as UK shows no sign of post-lockdown surge
- Cases of coronavirus in the UK fell slightly to 1,907 from last Saturday’s 2,061
- Britons will be allowed to hug their family and friends in just over a fortnight
- On May 17 venues will be able to have customers enjoy food and drink indoors
- One in three now live in an area where no one has died of coronavirus this month
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.
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. Pictured: Revellers out in Soho, London, on Friday night
During Friday’s antics, one woman was wrestled to the floor in Leeds by bouncers and police amid the revelry as Britain continues to enjoy the released lockdown rules
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.
Party-goers dressed to the nines as they headed out amid lowering Covid infection rates across the UK to celebrate Friday night
Some in Soho, London, need the warmth of an outdoor heater as people were forced to drink and dine outside before the restrictions ease again
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.’