UK finally reports lowest daily Covid-19 cases since September; 33.6 million vaccinated so far

Another 1,712 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, the lowest daily number since early September, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,404,882, a positive development from Europe at a time when India is battered with the impact of the second wave of Covid infections.

The UK also reported 11 coronavirus-related deaths and the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 127,428. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test, reports said on Sunday.

The data were revealed after almost two weeks since non-essential shops and outdoor hospitality reopened in England. The figures released on the weekends are usually lower due to the delay in report in some regions.

Vaccination drive

Meanwhile, more than 33.6 million people have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest official figures.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has acknowledged that the majority of scientific experts are of the view that there will be another wave of coronavirus at some stage this year and Britons must learn to live with the virus.

However, he said there was nothing in scientific data to suggest Britain would have to deviate from the roadmap out of lockdown.

In England, all shops reopened from April 12 as lockdown eases, along with hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services.

Restaurants and pubs were allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors. Meanwhile, gyms, spas, zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres can all open.

On May 17, restaurants and pubs are expected be allowed to resume indoor service and see most rules on gathering outdoors lifted.

The British government's four-step plan is expected to see all legal restrictions in England being removed by mid-June.

Experts have warned that despite progress in vaccine rollout, Britain is "still not out of the woods" amid concerns over new variants, particularly those first emerged in South Africa, Brazil and India, and the third wave of pandemic on the European continent.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.