A total of 42,323 cases of the Delta variant of coronavirus that originated in India have now been confirmed in the UK, up by 29,892 from last week, Public Health England said.
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said that ministers were on track to meet a target of all over 50s being offered their second jab by June 21, as he appealed as those who had not had a first dose to come forward to be vaccinated.
“We are on track for offering all over 50s who have had the first jab their second jab by June 21,” he told BBC Breakfast.
“We have got very high levels of uptake, in the 90%, but we have got to make sure they get their second jab.
“Anyone who hasn’t had the jab, in that 5 or 6% who didn’t have their jab, please come forward and have your first jab.
“75% of the 12,500 people who were infected with the Delta variant, 75%, three quarters, hadn’t had a jab, so it’s really important.”
