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COVID-19: 9.3 million people have received first vaccine dose as UK records another 406 deaths

Written by on 02/02/2021

Over half of people in their 70s have now received a coronavirus jab, as UK vaccinations hit nearly 9.3 million.

It comes as the UK recorded a further 406 coronavirus-related deaths, the lowest daily rise since 28 December, and another 18,607 confirmed cases, the lowest number of daily cases since 15 December.

The figures bring the total number of UK deaths to 106,564 and total number of cases to 3,835,783.

Both deaths and positive test results are typically lower on Mondays than other days of the week.

On Sunday, 587 deaths within 28 days of a positive test and 21,088 cases were recorded.

The latest government figures come following the 22,195 new positive tests recorded last Monday – which (at the time) was the lowest daily rise in cases so far this year.

A further 592 deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test result were also reported a week ago.

A total of 9,296,367 first vaccination doses have now been given in the UK, latest figures show, while 494,209 second vaccine doses have now also been given – a combined sum of 9,790,576 jabs.

More than 900,000 people were vaccinated over the weekend.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, Mr Hancock said almost nine in 10 of all those aged over 80 had been vaccinated, with over half of those in their 70s receiving a jab.

He added: “We have visited every single care home with older residents in England and offered vaccinations to all of their residents and staff – this has been an incredible example of health and social care working together.”

In another development, the UK has ordered 40 million more doses of Valneva’s coronavirus vaccine candidate for 2022, bringing its total order to 100 million.

Talking about the order, Mr Hancock said the UK is continuing with its “no regrets” attitude to backing vaccines that have yet to be approved.

He said that if it gains approval, the Valneva vaccine will be manufactured in Livingston in Scotland.

The French drugmaker said on Monday that Britain could still order a further 90 million doses between 2023 and 2025.

Mr Hancock also said the UK currently has 400 million doses of vaccine on order.

The amount, which is more than the UK needs, will allow the government to send doses abroad to poorer nations.

Mr Hancock said: “My attitude has always been we protect every UK citizen as fast as we can and at the same time we’re generous around the world.”

He added the vaccine rollout was a “global effort”, and that the AstraZeneca vaccine is currently the only vaccine being deployed globally at cost.

“We will play our part to ensure the whole world can get the jab,” he said.

Meanwhile, residents in parts of Surrey will be offered tests after two people with no travel links to South Africa were found to have contracted the variant discovered in the country.

Households in the Goldsworth Park and St Johns areas of Woking will have a COVID-19 PCR test posted through their letterbox and be asked to take it – regardless of whether they have symptoms or not – from today.

The scheme is expected to be extended to Egham within the next few days.

(c) Sky News 2021: COVID-19: 9.3 million people have received first vaccine dose as UK records another 406 deaths


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