Britain today saw another fall in Covid cases and deaths compared with last Sunday – with 6 per cent fewer infections being recorded.
Department of Health figures show that just 43 deaths from coronavirus were recorded in the last 24 hours, down 15 from the week before.
New cases also continued their falling trend, with 30,439 infections recorded compared to 32,417 last Sunday.
Hospitalisations had also fallen slightly to 755 on September 28 (the last day data is available for) from 787.
The number of people in hospital hit a recent low of 658 on Sunday September 26.
The campaign to fully vaccinate the population continued with another 33,926 getting their second jab in the last day, while 27,675 people – expected to be more young people – received their first vaccination.
New coronavirus cases have continued to fall, with 30,439 infections recorded compared to 32,417 last Sunday.
Department of Health figures show that just 43 deaths from coronavirus were recorded in the last 24 hours, down 15 from the week before
The campaign to fully vaccinate the population continued with another 33,926 getting their second jab in the last day, while 27,675 people – expected to be more young people – received their first vaccination
Hospitalisations had also fallen slightly to 755 on September 28 (the last day data is available for) from 787
The latest figures came as Health Secretary Sajid Javid branded members of the England football squad who are reportedly refusing Covid vaccines ‘disappointing’ and is urging them to encourage young people to get jabbed.
Three senior team members have reportedly insisted that they are too healthy to suffer Covid, a decision that potentially endangers England’s World Cup hopes in Qatar next year where organisers plan to ban unvaccinated players.
At least two others are said to have refused the jabs, with some thought to have swallowed conspiracy theories and online ‘misinformation’ while others have apparently been pressured by their wives.
England football manager Gareth Southgate claims he does not know which of his players are refusing to be vaccinated – but expects them to be ‘outed’ when the squad travels abroad.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp also said he is at a loss to explain why there is seemingly a reluctance among Premier League players to be vaccinated – as he made a comparison between the reasons for being jabbed and drink-driving laws.
A runner in fancy dress running in the London Marathon today – the first first-scale staging since 2019
A wave of runners including James Cracknell and Sophie Raworth start the Virgin Money London Marathon
Mr Javid told Times Radio of the ‘huge vaccine wall of defence’ being created, and added: ‘I would just appeal to these people, whether they are footballers, whoever it is… that the vaccines are working. Help protect yourself and protect those around you.
‘They’ve made a conscious choice. It is disappointing, of course it is… They are role models in society. People, especially young people, I think will look up to them and they should recognise that and the difference that can make in terms of encouraging others.’
Today also marked the return of the London Marathon for the first time since 2019 after it was scrapped last year due to coronavirus restrictions.
It was replaced in 2020 by a virtual run where participants chose their own route and a further 40,000 participants will earn their medal by taking part in the virtual event this year.
It is the first time the two events will take place simultaneously and the first time that runners have tackled the marathon’s traditional route in October rather than during spring.
The date is not the only change. There is no bag drop at the start and runners were instead asked to leave any belongings they will need at the finish line at the ExCel centre when they collected their number.
There will be no volunteers hanging medals around the necks of finishers, who will instead find their medal in their bag.
Large groups will not wait at the start line together and instead participants will set off in more than 40 waves across a 90-minute period with no official pacers this year.
Participants are being encouraged to wear a bottle belt so they can carry a drink to further reduce touchpoints on the day, and have been asked to invite just one supporter to reduce crowds along the route.
Those running in central London will have to be able to show a negative lateral flow test for Covid-19.