Omicron wave continues to fall: Daily Covid cases drop 6% in a week

Britain's Omicron wave continued to fall today with the country reporting a decrease of six per cent in cases, official data showed.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows another 76,807 positive tests were logged in the last 24 hours, down only slightly on the 81,713 recorded last Saturday.

It marks the 17th day in a row that cases have fallen week-on-week but the downward curve has slowed in the past three days, dropping by just four per cent yesterday.

Today's case numbers do not include positive tests in Scotland, so the true number for the UK is likely to be higher. Covid cases are still rising in primary school children despite falling in every other age group, which is contributing to the slowdown.

The number of people dying with the virus rose again slightly, increasing by 3.5 per cent to 297 compared to 287 last week.

And 67,640 more booster vaccines were given out yesterday, taking the total number of people fully protected against the virus to 36,821,284 — 64 per cent of the over-12 population.

The data comes as it was revealed the Covid traveller testing system could be ditched for fully vaccinated holidaymakers as soon as Monday.

It is understood the rapid lateral flow test that double-jabbed arrivals must take by day two is likely to be ditched when ministers meet to discuss the rules.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is understood to be pushing for the removal of all testing for the fully vaccinated.

Boris Johnson steps in to tackle growing school rebellion

Boris Johnson yesterday attempted to quell a growing school rebellion as hundreds of headmasters continue to enforce classroom mask wearing.

The Prime Minister urged secondary staff to follow new rules that state face coverings are no longer required in lessons.

He believes it is vital that children receive 'face-to-face education and can enjoy a normal experience in the classroom'.

Mr Johnson's spokesman added: 'The Prime Minister also thinks that the schools should follow the latest guidance.

'We've been clear that we removed the requirement for face masks to be worn in classrooms and we will remove advice for face masks to be worn in communal areas from January 27.'

His intervention comes as families complain that schools across England are still insisting on masks during lessons as precautions against Covid.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi has warned that Department for Education officials will be in touch with schools that refuse to ditch face coverings.

He will also personally vet any plans to bring back masks in schools in areas hit by Covid outbreaks.

In other coronavirus developments:

Meat Loaf told a fan three weeks ago that he'd recently had an endoscopy and