The UK records zero COVID deaths for the first time in over a year

Despite a somewhat rocky start to the pandemic, the UK’s vaccination programme has changed the conversation, and, for the first time since last summer, Britain has recorded a total of zero new coronavirus related deaths.

UK announces zero COVID deaths despite a rise in cases

Britain announced on Tuesday that for the first time in 447 days, the number of COVID deaths had whittled down to zero. These COVID death figures relate to the number of deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock stated that ‘the vaccines are clearly working - protecting you, those around you and your loved ones.’

But despite this undoubtedly good news we know we haven't beaten this virus yet, and with cases continuing to rise please remember hands, face, space and let in fresh air when indoors, and of course, make sure when you can you get both jabs.

COVID death reports often show fewer fatalities at the start of the week and over the weekends as statisticians are off work. Any coronavirus related deaths that occur from Tuesday will be reported in the following days.

Despite this, the country has definitely seen a drop in COVID death rates, infection rates and hospitalisation rates from their peak in January. According to John Hopkins data, Britain has seen a total of 127,782 coronavirus related deaths, the fifth-highest in the world.

Over 18s to be offered a COVID vaccine in weeks

The government estimated that the whole adult population would be offered their first dose of the COVID vaccine in a matter of weeks. Currently, only those aged 30 and above can go in for their jabs, with ministers prioritising the elderly and vulnerable.

The UK has already given out almost 65 million doses of coronavirus vaccines, and one-third of the adult population is now fully vaccinated.

It is understood that soon, vaccine opportunities will be open to all those over 18 to prevent the spread of the Indian variant - now known as the Delta variant - amongst younger members of the population.

Recent data shows another 3,165 new cases of the Delta variant, compared with the 3,383 reported on Monday and 2,493 one week ago.

Dominic Harrison warned BBC Radio 4's World At One that the youth need to be vaccinated next as this would not only protect that age group but would also further protect the whole population: ‘We desperately need the UK Government, the MHRA [Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency] to pass the Pfizer vaccine as safe and effective for that age group.’

Now the USA, Canada, Singapore and the European Union have all in the last week said that's Pfizer BioNTechvaccine is safe and effective for 12 years and above, and I just hope the UK Government can get on with passing that, assuming that they agree that we could then get into rapid vaccination for that cohort, before the end of term.