The UK has reported another 12,718 coronavirus cases and 738 further deaths – and almost 16 million people have now had their first dose of a vaccine.

While the number of new infections is higher than the 10,625 reported yesterday, deaths are down slightly from Tuesday’s 799 fatalities.

Overall, the numbers are lower than what they were a week ago, when 13,013 new cases were confirmed alongside 1,001 deaths.

Latest coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world

According to the latest figures, 15,940,972 people have now had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine – and 546,165 have had their second dose.

It comes after a senior health official warned that the number of people with coronavirus in England would have to drop to below 50,000 before lockdown can be eased safely.

The most recent figures suggested that 695,400 people had the virus nationwide in the week ending 6 February.

NHS Providers CEO Chris Hopson stressed it is “pretty clear” that infections would have to drop considerably before things can start to reopen.

On a visit to vaccination site in Wales, Prime Minister Boris Johnson also continued to exercise caution by stressing that ministers are looking at “data not dates” when it comes to easing restrictions.

Mr Johnson said his “roadmap” out of lockdown, which he will unveil on Monday, will be based “firmly on a cautious and prudent approach” that ensures the unlocking will be “irreversible”.

“We want to be going one way from now on,” he said.

The PM praised the UK’s “outstanding” vaccine rollout and said the steady drop in infection rates is “very encouraging”, but warned it is still “early days”.

On Tuesday, head of the UK vaccine taskforce Clive Dix told Sky News that there is enough supply to vaccinate every adult with two doses by the end of August.

Related posts:

Sunny days and sub-zero nights as UK gears up for mixed week of weather European Super League chairman: We’re doing this to save football R number range in England increases slightly to 0.9-1.1 BBC facing ‘serious questions’ over rehiring Martin Bashir 20 years after Diana interview Animal rights protesters blockade McDonald’s distribution centres Four men and teenage boy arrested over disorder at Swansea vigil Full list of updated green, amber and red countries – and the rules when you travel Baby and young children among people in Channel brought ashore after more than 150 migrants crossed into UK British tennis player Emma Raducanu through to quarter-finals of US Open Girls as young as seven experiencing ‘devastating’ fall in their happiness thanks to online abuse Police Scotland admits failures over M9 death crash First underwater footage of critically endangered Angelshark recorded in Wales