The UK has recorded another 110 coronavirus-related deaths and 5,294 new cases in the latest 24-hour period.

A total of 125,690 people have now died within 28 days of a positive test for COVID-19.

There have been 4,268,821 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the country since the pandemic began.

Meanwhile, 386,685 people had a first COVID-19 vaccine jab in the UK yesterday.

Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world

This compares to the 257,010 people who had a first dose on Sunday.

It means 24,839,906 people have now had at least one shot of the treatment.

The UK also carried out 53,366 second vaccination jabs on Monday, meaning 1,663,646 people have had a full course of a drug.

It comes as the European Union’s medicines agency said there is “no indication” that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is the cause of blood clots.

Around a dozen countries on the continent – including France, Germany and Italy – suspended use of the vaccine, despite reassurances from scientists, the World Health Organisation and the UK’s medicine regulator.

Sky News science correspondent Thomas Moore has explained how, although all drugs have risks, the AstraZeneca jab will undoubtedly save lives.

Elsewhere, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that the country’s “stay at home” order would be replaced with a “stay local” message on 2 April.

It follows a similar move from the Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, with the “stay at home” order changed over the past weekend.

England is eyeing a return of the rule of six and the resumption of organised sports on 29 March.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s lockdown restrictions will be reviewed later this week.

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