UK records 40,375 new COVID cases and 145 deaths

The UK has recorded 40,375 new coronavirus cases and 145 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to government figures.

It compares to 42,408 cases and 195 deaths recorded on Thursday, and a week ago there were 34,029 cases and 193 deaths.

On average, cases have fallen slightly – down 6.5% on the week before – while deaths are down 8.9%.

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Some 36,383 people received their first dose of a COVID vaccine on Thursday, meaning 50,491,701 have now had their first jab in the UK.

Another 22,485 had a second jab, taking the number of those fully vaccinated against coronavirus to 45,964,488 and 370,989 booster jabs were given.

Those vaccinated three times now stands at 11,823,643 – the equivalent to one in four of all double-jabbed people in the UK.

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Boosters are available six months after a second dose for all adults aged 50 and over, along with other key groups including frontline health and social care workers, while third doses are available eight weeks after a second dose to people aged 12 and over with severely weakened immune systems.

The latest figures reflect the scale of the rollout. A week ago, the total number of extra doses stood at just over nine million, or the equivalent of one in five of all double-jabbed people.

Ministers are keen to see the booster scheme ramp-up to cover as many people as possible to help protect the NHS this winter.

Earlier, Boris Johnson warned that rising COVID cases in Europe could be seen in the UK if people do not get their third jabs fast enough.

The prime minister said: “I’m seeing the storm clouds gathering over parts of the European continent and I’ve got to be absolutely frank with people, we’ve been here before and we remember what happened when a wave starts rolling in.

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“The UK has built up a huge amount of protection thanks to the vaccine rollout and people’s amazing willingness to come forward and get jabbed.

“What I’m saying today is the urgency of getting that booster jab is more evident than ever.”

He added: “What I’m also saying is if we don’t do it fast enough we can see the potential risks to the state of the pandemic in what’s happening in other parts of Europe.”

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