Britain's Covid crisis continued to shrink today, official data showed as amid hopes a triple boost of falling infections, faster booster jabs and a 'wonder pill' will aid the UK's fight against the virus this winter.
Department of Health bosses posted a further 30,693 new infections over the last 24 hours, up 25 per cent on the 41,278 recorded last Saturday.
It was the 14th day in a row cases fell week-on-week, barring Monday — a blip that was down to Wales not publishing any infection numbers the previous week.
The number of people dying with the virus also fell 6.6 per cent to 155, down from 166 last Saturday.
And hospitalisations fell to 1,055 on Tuesday, the latest date data is available for. They were down 3.2 per cent on the previous week.
The figures come after hopes in Britain's fight against the virus were booster by faster booster jabs, a new treatment that can half the risk of serious infection, as well as plunging infection rates.
From Monday the double vaccinated will be able to book their third dose a month earlier than before.
In a second significant development, a new antiviral pill has been found to slash the risk of vulnerable people being hospitalised or dying from coronavirus.
And official figures yesterday showed that the infection rate and the R-rate have both fallen. Cases have dropped by a third in a fortnight – from 49,298 to 34,029.
In other coronavirus developments:
A hospital boss warned patients may be despatched up to 88 miles away for treatment in a stark message to staff over a bed crisis at its hospital; The FTSE regained more ground on the back of positivity surrounding the breakthrough with Pfizer’s Covid pill; It was announced Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, one of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid vaccine inventors, is set to deliver this year’s prestigious Richard Dimbleby Lecture; A headteachers' union said Ofsted should defer school and college inspections on request because of the ongoing disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic; A mother who gave birth to 'miracle' baby while on life support last year with Covid urged pregnant women to get vaccinated; Official data showed Britain's Covid outbreak is no longer the worst in Western Europe with infections beginning to soar across the continent.One expert said the latest figures suggested that coronavirus infections may now have peaked across England.
Ministers have faced fierce criticism over booster jabs, with the sluggish pace of the rollout blamed for high case numbers.
So far third doses could only be booked when they become due – six months after a second jab. That resulted in people waiting weeks for a convenient appointment, at a time when their immunity was waning.
But next week bookings can be made a month in advance online or by calling 119.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid told the Mail last night: 'Ahead of the peak winter season these are three really important developments that give us hope. The best thing anyone can do, to keep the virus at bay, is get their jab if they haven't already or their booster as soon as they are eligible.'
He added: 'Covid-19 vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your family ahead of a challenging winter and this change to the booking system will make it as easy as possible for people to book their booster jabs.
From Monday the double vaccinated will be able to book their third dose a month earlier than before
