Delta variant cases rise by more than 50,000 in a week
Cases of the delta variant of Covid-19 have risen by 50,824 since last week, representing a 46 per cent case increase, according to the latest figures from Public Health England.
There are now nearly 162,000 cases of the Delta variant in the UK, making up approximately 95 per cent of the nation’s Covid cases.
Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said people must not forget to be careful amid a rise in cases, adding that people should get vaccinated if they are eligible, get tested twice a week, and practice “hands, face, space, fresh air” at all times.
A total 44,860,978 people in the UK have had a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, while more than 33 million have had two doses, giving them maximum protection against the virus.
Covid cases have been rising again, with nearly 28,000 cases recorded in the last 24 hours – the highest figure since the end of January.
According to figures from Independent Sage, in the last seven days 146,360 people have tested positive for Covid – an increase of 71.8 per cent on the previous week.
The group of scientists has warned that at the current rate of infection, the UK could see over 40,000 new cases per day by 19 July.
However the number of deaths has stayed low, with 22 deaths recorded within 28 days of a positive test yesterday, suggesting the vaccine rollout is helping to break the link between Covid and death.
The nation is now waiting to hear what stage four of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown will look like on 19 July.
The PM has strongly hinted restrictions will be eased on the 19th, however Johnson said yesterday that “extra precautions” could be needed beyond so-called ‘freedom day’ in England.