LONDON (Reuters) – The UK reported the lowest number of new daily coronavirus infections since early Saturday, adding to signs that a national blockage is slowing the spread of a more infectious variant of the disease.
However, the effect of the recent increase in cases remains clear in the number of deaths, which was the third highest recorded. Health experts have warned that it will continue to grow.
Government figures showed that the number of people who gave positive results was 41,346, compared to 55,761 on Friday. It was the lowest daily reading since December 27, when fewer people were tested during the holidays.
However, deaths continue to rise rapidly, with another 1,295 reported on Saturday, bringing the total number of deaths recorded within 28 days from a positive test to 88,590.
Britain has the highest number of deaths in Europe – although more have died in Italy and Belgium per capita. Chris Witty, the government’s chief medical officer, warned the public on Friday that the daily death toll had not yet peaked.
The country has been in a national deadlock since January 5, when schools were closed to most students, non-essential businesses were closed to the public, and people were ordered to work from home where possible.
In the latest measure to fight infections, the government ordered all travelers to the UK on Monday to produce a certificate stating that they do not have a coronavirus, and that they must comply with a quarantine for 10 days upon arrival.
The United Kingdom has high hopes for the rapid launch of vaccines for people over the age of 70 and other vulnerable groups. Government data on Saturday showed that nearly 3.6 million people received a dose of the vaccine, the highest in Europe and an increase of 324,000 the day before.
The country aims to receive the first doses of vaccines to 15 million people in high-risk categories by mid-February.
Reporting by David Milliken; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Mike Harrison