COVID-19: UK records 599 more coronavirus deaths and another 37,535 cases
Written by News on 18/01/2021
A further 599 coronavirus deaths have been reported in the UK, government figures show.
This brings the total number of deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test to 89,860.
Meanwhile, a further 37,535 confirmed coronavirus cases have also been recorded in the past 24 hours.
That compares with figures released on Sunday of 671 further deaths and 38,598 confirmed cases
Public Health England has also confirmed 4,062,501 people have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
It comes as 24-hour vaccination sites are set to be piloted in London before the end of January.
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Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi told Sky News the NHS will be “targeting forensically who we want to protect” to ensure the most vulnerable people can be vaccinated first.
He said as there is “limited supply”, the vaccine “needs to get into the arms of the most vulnerable” such as those who are elderly or clinically extremely vulnerable.
Boris Johnson has warned the UK is still in a “pretty precarious” position as ministers prepare for the easing of lockdown restrictions from early March.
The prime minister said the process would be gradual, with no great “open sesame” moment when curbs on freedoms are suddenly lifted.
Mr Johnson, on a visit to the manufacturing facility for the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine, said: “I understand completely that people want to get back to normal as fast as we possibly can. It does depend on things going well.
“It depends on the vaccination programme going well, it depends on there being no new variants that throw our plans out and we have to mitigate against, and it depends on everybody, all of us, remembering that we’re not out of the woods yet.”
NHS data showed London had administered the lowest number of vaccinations in England’s regions, with a total of 417,225 first and second doses between 8 December and 17 January, while the Midlands had delivered 746,487.
Sadiq Khan said he “fully expects” to see the number of jabs administered in London increase.
The mayor of London said in a statement: “The number of COVID cases in London is extremely high and it’s absolutely vital that vulnerable Londoners are given access to the life-saving vaccines as quickly as possible.
“I have been calling for a fair share of vaccine supply in London and I was greatly encouraged by hearing from the minister for COVID vaccine deployment, Nadhim Zahawi, that the government is listening.
“The supply of vaccines and the number of places across London where people can get a jab will both now increase.”
(c) Sky News 2021: COVID-19: UK records 599 more coronavirus deaths and another 37,535 cases
