9,765 cases of Covid have been confirmed by the Department for Health, the lowest figure since September 27, when 6,974 cases were confirmed.
It is the first time since September 28 – when 9,929 infections were reported – that the UK has reported fewer than 10,000 daily cases.
A further 230 deaths within 28 days of positive coronavirus tests have also been reported.
The Prime Minister told the evening’s Downing Street press conference that he wanted this lockdown to be the last and wanted progress on the route out of lockdown to be cautious, but also irreversible.
Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of the NHS, says that the vaccination roll-out has been “an extraordinary national team effort”.
“You’ve been able to see for yourselves the speed and precision with which the vaccination programme has been undertaken,”
He also added that anyone who has already been offered a jab and declined it is still eligible to take up the offer.
From early to mid-March, the NHS is reserving the vaccines that will be needed to administer second doses to patients who have already received their first vaccine.
“For people aged 65 to 69, you will be getting letters today, tomorrow, this week, inviting you to book in for your vaccination,In the first instance we are inviting you to do so at one of the larger vaccination centres, but if that’s not convenient, you can hold on and you will be contacted by your local GP.”
