LONDON (Reuters) – Britain reported the lowest number of daily new coronavirus infections since the start of the year on Saturday, adding to signs that a national shutdown is slowing the spread of a more infectious outbreak of the disease.
But the impact of the recent rise in cases remains clear in the death tax, which was the third highest ever. Health experts have warned it needs to rise further.
Government figures showed the number of people taking a positive test was 41,346, compared to 55,761 on Friday. It was the lowest daily reading since Dec. 27, when fewer people were tested over the Christmas holiday period.
Deaths continue to rise rapidly, however, with another 1,295 reported Saturday, bringing the total number of deaths within 28 days from a positive test to 88,590.
Britain has the highest death rate in Europe – although Italy and Belgium have more deaths per capita. Chris Witty, the government’s chief medical officer, warned the public on Friday that daily death tolls had not yet risen.
The country has been under national lock since January 5, when schools were closed for most pupils, non-essential businesses were closed to the public, and people were ordered to work from home where was that possible.
In its latest move to control infections, the government has ordered all travelers to Britain from Monday to issue a certificate showing they do not have a coronavirus, in addition to being quarantine will be monitored for 10 days upon arrival.
Britain is raising its hopes of a rapid rollout of vaccines to people over 70 and other vulnerable groups. Government data on Saturday showed nearly 3.6 million people had received a single dose of vaccine, mostly in Europe and an increase of 324,000 on the previous day.
The country aims to give the first doses of vaccines to 15 million people in high-risk regions by mid-February.
Reciting with David Milliken; Edited by Kevin Liffey and Mike Harrison