LONDON (Reuters) – Great Britain reported 10 deaths from COVID-19 within 28 days of a positive test on Saturday, the lowest daily rate since early September, when the vaccine’s introduction reached a new milestone.
Official data also showed that 31,301,267 people had received their first injection of a COVID-19 vaccine, of which five million have now received both doses in what is the fastest rollout in Europe.
“Our spectacular vaccination program has now delivered more than five million second doses, providing those most vulnerable to COVID – including half of all over-80s – with the best possible protection,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock said in a statement.
Britain remains on track to meet the government’s goal of offering a vaccination shot to all over-50s by mid-April and to all adults by the end of July, the government said.
The latest data also showed that there were 3,423 new cases, a slight increase from 3,402 reported the day before, although unlike countries like France and Germany battling a third wave of the coronavirus, the infections in Groot Britain is steadily declining.
Strict lockdown measures in England began to be relaxed on March 29, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to notify the country with further details on the lifting of restrictions on Monday, including whether open-air hospitality can reopen on April 12 as planned.
Reporting by Michael Holden Editing by Frances Kerry and David Holmes