LONDON (Reuters) – Britain on Saturday reported its lowest number of daily new coronavirus infections since the beginning of the year, adding signs that a national exclusion is slowing the spread of a more contagious variant of the disease.
However, the effect of the recent increase in cases remains clear in the death toll, which was the third highest recorded. Health experts have warned that it should rise further.
Government figures showed that the number of people who tested positive was 41,346, compared to 55,761 on Friday. This was the lowest daily reading since December 27, when fewer people were tested during the festive season.
Deaths continue to rise rapidly, with another 1,295 reported on Saturday, bringing the total number of deaths recorded within 28 days after a positive test to 88,590.
Britain has the highest death toll in Europe – although more have died in Italy and Belgium on a per capita basis. Chris Witty, chief medical officer of the government, warned the public on Friday that the daily death toll had not yet reached a peak.
The country has been under national lockdown since January 5, when schools were closed to most pupils, and non-essential businesses have been closed to the public and people have been ordered to work from home where possible.
In its latest attempt to control infections, the government on Monday ordered all travelers to Britain to produce a certificate showing that they do not have coronavirus, as well as to maintain a 10-day quarantine upon arrival. .
Britain is pinning its hopes on a rapid introduction of vaccines to people over 70 and other vulnerable groups. Government data showed on Saturday that nearly 3.6 million people had received one dose of vaccine, the most in Europe and an increase of 324,000 the previous day.
The country aims to give first doses of vaccines to 15 million people in high-risk categories by mid-February.
Reporting by David Milliken; Edited by Kevin Liffey and Mike Harrison