UK Covid daily cases increase for the first time in a week with 27,734 as 91 deaths recorded
THE UK’S daily Covid cases have increased for the first time in a week with 27,734 reported in the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile Covid deaths have fallen slightly with a further 91 losing their lives to the killer bug.
It brings the total number of UK Covid deaths recorded within 28 days of a positive test result to 129,430.
In comparison to today’s figures yesterday saw the UK hit with 23,511 new cases and 131 deaths.
Hopes had been raised after seven days of falling case numbers, but experts have warned caution at this stage – and today’s figures saw them rise by 4,000.
The effects of relaxing all restrictions won’t yet be seen, and some scientists say the fall in cases was due to summer holidays and a lack of testing.
The main indicator, and the figure that shows how the country is really coping, is the number of new hospital admissions.
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As of July 23 (Friday), 5,238 people were in hospital with Covid across the UK.
Of these, 715 were on ventilators.
Earlier today Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who has previously warned that there could be 100,000 daily cases over the summer, said he hoped recent falls in the numbers would be sustained but it was important not to be “too optimistic”.
‘DON’T GET TOO OPTIMISTIC’
Speaking at a vaccination centre in London’s Little Venice, he told the PA news agency: “The truth is, when it comes to case numbers no-one really knows where they are going to go next.
“I hope that the falls that we’re seeing now are sustained. That’s of course what I want to see.
“But we’ve already seen with the Delta variant, a new variant that emerged over the last year, that’s more infectious than the previous one, that things can change.
“And so, I think it’s important to remain cautious, not get too optimistic.”
He said despite being vaccinated, said the jabs were “the reason that I’m here today” just 10 days after a positive test.
He added: “My own experience, I think, is a good example, a reminder really, that by getting vaccinated you do absolutely reduce your own chances of getting a positive test result, of course, but you can still get the virus.
“I was one of many people who have been in that situation.
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“But there’s no doubt that the reason that I’m here today, some 10 days after I had that positive test result, feeling absolutely fine, is because of the vaccines.
“My symptoms have been very mild and the latest information we have is that the vaccines in the UK, they’ve stopped 11 million infections, they’ve stopped 57,000 people from going to hospital and 37,000 people from dying.
“The vaccines are working.”