The UK has recorded another 112 coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period, as the number of people to have had a first vaccine dose passes 28 million.

The 112 figure compares with 17 fatalities announced yesterday – the lowest daily number since late September – and 110 which were reported last Tuesday.

Since the pandemic began, a total of 126,284 people have died in the UK within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test.

Meanwhile, there have been 5,379 new COVID cases reported in the latest 24-hour period, compared with 5,342 announced yesterday and 5,294 which were revealed exactly a week ago.

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Another 329,897 people were given a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine yesterday, taking the total to 28,327,873 since the rollout began last December. A total of 2,363,684 have also had a second dose.

The latest government figures were released as people earlier observed a minute’s silence to remember victims of the pandemic exactly a year since the start of the UK’s first lockdown.

The Queen reflected on the “grief and loss felt by so many” as she led tributes, sending a message to the hospital where the Duke of Edinburgh had heart surgery.

MPs and peers in both Houses of Parliament and ministers in the devolved nations marked the anniversary at midday, while cathedrals in Blackburn, Winchester, Gloucester and York Minster also fell silent.

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It comes as England’s chief medical officer said the COVID crisis will cause a “long rain shadow” and there will “definitely” be another surge in infections.

Professor Chris Whitty warned of “bumps and twists on the road” as the country attempts to recover from the pandemic.

And he also highlighted the “very big job of work” in preventing “lifelong” problems related to the effect of lockdowns, such as increased deprivation and non-COVID health issues.

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