Daily Covid deaths hit single figures for first time in seven months

DEATHS from coronavirus in Britain fell to just seven yesterday, the first time the UK has reported single figures for nearly seven months, and the lowest number since mid-september.

The low figure came just before nonessential shops and outdoor hospitality open today, and it demonstrates that lifting restrictions has, so far, not led to a rise in cases.

Britain has not reported such a low figure since five cases were reported on Sept 13, which was also a Sunday. It is the first time the UK has recorded single figures since Sept 14. The deaths figure is likely to be artificially low because of the weekend effect, and is expected to rise early next week.

The number of people testing positive for coronavirus has also fallen by more than 30 per cent in a week, with just 1,730 lab-confirmed cases reported yesterday, the lowest figure since August. The total number of deaths where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate is now 149,968, while those who died within 28 days of a test is 127,087. The total number of lab-confirmed cases is now 4,369,775.

It was also another record day for second vaccine doses, with 475,230 receiving their booster jab on Saturday. Government data up to April 10 shows that 39,587,893 jabs have been given in the UK so far, of which 32,121,353 were first doses. It means around 61 per cent of adults have now received at least one dose of the jab.

No hospital admissions data was published over the weekend.

Restaurants will be able to serve diners outside from today, and hairdressers, indoor gyms, swimming pools, nail salons and zoos can also reopen in another stride towards normality.

Both the 10pm curfew rule and the requirement to order a substantial meal with a drink have been scrapped, but social distancing and masks remain in place, with scientists warning that failing to abide by the rules could trigger a rebound in cases.