UK reports 50 virus deaths in highest level since April

The UK reported 50 deaths over the past 24 hours yesterday, its highest level since April and a sharp jump from six deaths the day before, as England moves towards easing Covid-19 restrictions on July 19 in what has been called “Freedom Day”.

Official data also shows that another 36,660 cases were recorded.

This, too, is an increase from the 34,471 new infections reported the day before, and the 28,773 cases and 37 deaths recorded about a week ago.

Daily new infections are running at more than 30,000 in the UK, with average deaths in single digits, data from England’s National Health Service shows.

This is despite a successful vaccination campaign which has seen nearly two-thirds of adults fully jabbed.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid had said that the caseload could reach 100,000 a day in the coming months, but stressed that the link to hospitalisations and deaths was “severely weakened”.

By July 19, the majority of legal restrictions on social contact in England will be removed although Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was vital to proceed with “caution”, warning “this pandemic is not over”.

The peak of the current wave is not expected before mid-August and could lead to between 1,000 and 2,000 hospital admissions per day, according to government scientists.