Advertisement

UK records 37,622 daily Covid cases and 147 deaths

A woman writes in a heart on the Covid memorial wall on the Embankment in London (Victoria Jones/PA) (PA Wire)
A woman writes in a heart on the Covid memorial wall on the Embankment in London (Victoria Jones/PA) (PA Wire)

There were 147 deaths within 28 days of a positive test for coronavirus reported by the UK Government on Friday.

It brought the total death toll in the UK to 133,988.

Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics show there have now been 158,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

The Government also confirmed 37,622 new people had a confirmed positive test result in the past 24 hours.

The weekly reproduction “R” number remains unchanged since this time last week.

An “R” number between 0.9 and 1.1 means for every 10 people infected, those people will infect between 9 to 11 others.

Government data up to September 9 shows of the 92,175,948 Covid jabs given in the UK, 48,370,340 were first doses and 43,805,608 were second doses.

It came as Number 10 said it agreed with scientists behind the AstraZeneca jab who said donating vaccines to countries where people are still awaiting a first dose should be prioritised over a wholesale domestic booster programme.

Asked about the comments made by Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, and since backed up by Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, a spokesman for the Prime Minister said: “I think Sarah Gilbert also recognised that elderly people should receive boosters but, as we have said before, the JCVI are looking at this as the independent body and they will submit their evidence when they have finished examining the rationale for it.

“I would point you to interim advice which they published earlier this year that talked about the need to ensure we provide some protection to those who are immuno-compromised and those who we need to keep safe over the winter.

“It is for the JCVI to come forward with advice – they are the experts in this field.”

The spokesman added: “I agree with the principle we should provide protection both here in the UK and also to those overseas.

“We are already providing nine million doses to developing countries. You will remember that the Prime Minister committed us to providing 100 million in total, 30 million of those will be before the end of year, so I would say we are doing both – we have demonstrated our commitment to providing protection to those overseas and we’ll continue to provide protection to the British public as well.”

Read More

Bank traders warned over Brexit ‘spoofing’

Denmark lifts all Covid restrictions giving hope to UK travellers

Black Friday 2021: When is it and what deals can you expect in the sale?