The UK’s Covid-19 death rate has surpassed 106,000 as a further 587 people passed away.
It compares to 1,200 fatalities announced yesterday and 610 last Sunday, suggesting the death rate may be steadily decreasing.
Britain has recorded more coronavirus deaths than any other country in Europe and has one of the highest COVID death rates in the world, but it is ahead in the vaccine race which continues to pick up pace.
According to government figures 549,943 people were vaccinated in England on Saturday, 10,252 of which were second jabs.
It was a 21 per cent increase on last Sunday and puts the government on track to reach its target of inoculating 15 million people in the four top priority groups in England by 15 February.
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi tweeted: “A new record! Well done team. Well done to all of the @NHSuk family, our Armed forces & the army of volunteers. We will do this.”
Another 25,299 doses were given in Wales, and 23,055 in Scotland.
The total number of first doses given in the UK is now 8,977,329, and second doses have reached 491,053.
Related: Messages of support pour in for Captain Sir Tom Moore following hospital admission
Since you are here
Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.
Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.
Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.
If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.
To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.
The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.
The shop can be found here.
You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .