Coronavirus death rates halved in February in an "encouraging" reduction, according to new Public Health England figures.
The latest data from the government body show last month there were 15,943 Covid-19 related deaths in England, which gives a rate of 42.4 deaths per 100,000 people.
This is a reduction compared to January which saw 33,241 Covid-19 related deaths - a rate of 88.3 deaths per 100,000 people.
In February, deaths were highest in those aged 80 and over, this age group saw 8,895 deaths, with the most fatalities in the South East at 2,538.
The report also shows between June 29 last year and February 28, there have been 83,848 deaths relating to lab-confirmed cases.
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From June 29, 2020, onwards, the highest recorded number of daily deaths was 1,370 deaths on January 19.
PHE medical director Professor Yvonne Doyle said: “After the sadness of high death rates particularly in January it is encouraging to see that the rates have halved in February.
"We have followed the guidance, and this has saved thousands of lives.
“We are also starting to see the impact the vaccine is having, with hundreds of thousands of people receiving it every day, protection against severe illness and death is building fast.
"When you are offered, do not hesitate. Go and get it as it will help to protect you.”
It comes as the number of coronavirus patients to die in UK hospitals has risen by 179 in the latest 24 hour period.
Health authorities this afternoon announced 145 deaths in England, six in Wales, eight in Northern Ireland and 20 in Scotland.
Patients who died in England were aged between 42 and 98, and 12 had no known underlying health conditions.
The official death toll since the start of the pandemic last night stood at 124,797, with a further 231 fatalities announced in all settings by the Department of Health yesterday.
On Monday England began the process of coming out of lockdown, with schools reopening for the first time since January, but experts warned this would lead to an increase in cases.
The current target date for all restrictions to be lifted is June 21, but Boris Johnson has said this depends on the data.
