Nearly 18 million people have now had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine in the UK, while another 548 deaths have been reported.

It compares to 178 deaths reported yesterday and 799 last Tuesday, and takes the total to 121,305.

There have been 8,489 more confirmed COVID cases, compared to 10,641 yesterday and 10,625 last Tuesday.

Live COVID news from UK and around the world

The number of people who have received their first coronavirus jab now stands at 17,916,181 – up by 192,341.

And 642,788 have had a second jab – an increase of 18,463.

The daily updates will be even more keenly watched by the government at the population at large over the coming weeks and months, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson laid out his roadmap for easing England’s lockdown.

Mr Johnson said he was optimistic that all coronavirus restrictions in England may well be lifted by 21 June.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has also announced her own plan.

Related posts:

Missing Sarah Everard’s last known movements – where she was seen and who she spoke to Blooming marvellous: July go-ahead for Hampton Court and Tatton Park flower shows Man charged with murdering teenage girl after incident at Chinese restaurant Britons arriving in Portugal must quarantine for 14 days if not fully vaccinated from today Southgate warns of ‘really tough game’ against ‘well-prepared, accomplished’ Germany Relaxing restrictions ‘increases the risk of vaccine-resistant strains emerging’, researchers warn New COVID cases in UK rise for first time in a week – as number of daily deaths is down Fuel crisis may last another ‘week or so’, says minister – a day after one said it was ‘under control’ BBC presenter injured while playing ‘crash test dummy’ for TV show awarded £1.6m damages Electrician accused of double murder ‘sexually assaulted dead bodies in mortuaries’, court hears Protesters carry cardboard coffins on march against smart motorways Motorist aimed gun at police parliamentary protection officer after London car chase