Coronavirus cases in the UK have dropped dramatically to 22,195 as another 592 died from the virus.
The number of new infections in the last 24 hours declined substantially from 30,004 on Sunday, though figures tend to be lower at the weekend due to a lag in reporting.
A further 609 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths reported in hospitals to 67,046, NHS England said on Monday.
Metro.co.uk has asked for clarification on the England death number as it’s higher than the overall toll.
The deceased in England were aged between 30 and 101. All except 14, aged between 41 and 96, had known underlying health conditions.
The deaths were between December 17 and January 24, with the majority being on or after January 15.
Public Health Wales said on Monday there were a further 872 cases of coronavirus in Wales, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 188,583.
It reported another 23 deaths, taking the total in Wales since the start of the pandemic to 4,553.
Scotland has recorded four deaths of coronavirus patients and 752 new cases in the past 24 hours, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
The death toll in the country is now 5,709.
Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies for deaths where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate, together with additional data on deaths that have occurred in recent days, show there have now been 115,000 deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said earlier today ministers will be looking at ‘where we’ve got to’ in terms of lockdown by February 15 – the date by which the government expects everyone in the top four priority groups to have received their jabs.
Speaking from a north London vaccination centre on Monday, Mr Johnson said: ‘Before then, we’ll be looking at the potential of relaxing some measures – but don’t forget that this country has made huge progress in reducing infection.
‘I don’t think people want to see another big surge in infection.’
‘We’re looking at the data and trying to work out when we’ll be able to lift restrictions,’ he added.
‘Schools obviously will be a priority but I don’t think anyone will want to see the restrictions lifted so quickly, whilst the rate of infection is still very high so as to lead to another great spread of infection.’
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