Cases of coronavirus have dropped to pre-Christmas levels across all four UK nations, according to the latest government figures, with London seeing rates fall in every one of its local areas.
The national rate for Wales (122.4 cases per 100,000 people in the week to 3 February) is at its lowest since early October, while the figure for southeast England (87.4 cases, down from 274.0 a week earlier) is at its lowest since 7 December. An analysis of all four countries is in the blog below.
It comes as Britons are being warned they may need a third booster jab by autumn amid concerns about the effectiveness of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine against the South African coronavirus variant.
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi, who urged the public to keep faith with the jab, was forced to defend the vaccine after a new study in South Africa found it was not effective at preventing mild illness caused by the more infectious mutation.
South Africa has suspended the rollout of the British-designed vaccine to healthcare staff following the results, which have not yet been peer reviewed.
Meanwhile, No 10 has confirmed that health secretary Matt Hancock and deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van Tam will host today's daily Covid briefing at 5pm.
- Annual vaccines and autumn ‘booster’ could be required to combat new Covid variants, minister says
- Oxford vaccine offers ‘limited’ protection against South Africa variant, study finds
- One in three ambulance workers have had coronavirus, union suggests
- Hospitals defy authorities to protect staff as 35,000 patients are infected with Covid on wards
- The vaccine rollout is a real bright spot in the news right now
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