The UK has reported a further 33 coronavirus-related deaths and 2,524 new cases in the latest 24 hour period, government figures show.

On Monday, the country recorded four deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test – the lowest number since early September.

The latest figures take the total number of UK fatalities during the pandemic to 127,307.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier said the falls in cases and deaths across Britain were more because of the strict lockdown rather than the vaccination programme.

Therefore, we should expect to see some rises in these figures as the lockdown eases.

Meanwhile, the number of people in the country who have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine has passed 33 million, one day after it was announced 10 million people have had both doses.

Since then, another 273,751 second doses have been given out – taking the overall total of fully vaccinated people to 10,425,790.

The vaccination programme has met its targets so far and appears on track to administer at least one dose to every adult in the UK by the end of July.

Government ministers have repeatedly said the current data shows the plans for England’s roadmap out of lockdown can go ahead as scheduled, with the prime minister saying he aims to “stick like glue” to the plan.

However, one of the “four tests” for moving ahead with the roadmap is the threat of new variants.

The government on Monday moved India on to the travel “red list” due to a new variant first discovered in the country.

More than 100 cases of the Indian variant have been found in the UK, although it is not yet clear whether it can be transmitted more easily or evade the effectiveness of vaccines.

Related posts:

UK’s R number falls slightly to between 0.6 and 0.9 Ethnicity biggest determining factor in vaccine uptake, study finds Police warn Bristol rioters: ‘Expect a knock at your door – it may come sooner than you think’ Payrolled employment rises for third month after a year of lockdown misery for jobs Scottish govt handling of Alex Salmond harassment claims ‘seriously flawed’ – report Prince Harry has got a new job in California Knife attacker forces staff at petrol station to hide in safe room Three doses of Pfizer vaccine can ‘neutralise’ Omicron variant, lab test shows PM says he is sorry to lose ‘outstanding’ adviser Allegra Stratton over No 10 Christmas party video Jonathan Van-Tam blows final whistle on time as deputy chief medical officer Johnson ‘insulting’ the voters, says man demanding refund for garden gathering fine ‘She gained no political advantage from me’ says Labour MP at centre of China spy claims