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The UK has reported zero deaths from coronavirus in the most recent set of one-day figures.
It is the first time since July 2020 that this has happened. However, there were 3,165 new infections as experts continued to warn of the spreading Indian variant and a possible third wave.
Matt Hancock, the health secretary, embraced the news, saying: “The vaccines are clearly working, protecting you, those around you and your loved ones. But despite this undoubtedly good news we know we haven't beaten this virus yet.”
His comments came after a top expert claimed that the £37bn test and trace system Mr Hancock has hailed as “world-beating” in fact does not function properly, blaming it for the spread of the Indian variant.
“With numbers as low as they were and a reasonable amount of lockdown, if track and trace was ever going to work and make a difference it would be this time – but it doesn’t seem to have made a difference at all,” said Professor James Naismith.
As the week wears on, Boris Johnson’s government remains under pressure to delay the full easing of England’s lockdown, currently scheduled for 21 June, due to rising infections.
But the PM’s spokesperson pointed reporters to his previous comments – made on Thursday last week – in which Mr Johnson said he did not currently see anything in the data to suggest a delay was necessary.
Experts say more data is needed before an official decision is reached on 14 June.
