A woman wearing a face mask peers through a pod on the London Eye in London, Britain, on July 16, 2021. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)
The British government has confirmed that most COVID-19 restrictions in England will end on Monday as part of the final step or Step Four of England's roadmap out of the lockdown. But scientists have warned that lifting all restrictions at this stage could increase likelihood of dangerous variants.
LONDON, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Britain has reported another 54,674 coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 5,386,340, according to official figures released Saturday.
The figure is up from 51,870 cases reported on Friday, which was the highest since mid-January.
The country also recorded another 41 coronavirus-related deaths, with the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now standing at 128,683. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.
British Health Secretary Sajid Javid said Saturday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 after feeling "a bit groggy" last night.
He said on Twitter that he has had two jabs of the vaccine and his symptoms were "mild". He is now self-isolating at home with his family.
The British government has confirmed that most COVID-19 restrictions in England will end on Monday as part of the final step or Step Four of England's roadmap out of the lockdown. But scientists have warned that lifting all restrictions at this stage could increase the likelihood of dangerous variants.
People wearing face masks are seen at Piccadilly Circus in London, Britain, on July 16, 2021. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)
About 87.8 percent of adults in Britain have received the first jab of COVID-19 vaccine and 67.8 percent have received two doses, the latest official figures showed.
In addition to COVID-19 vaccination, there are plans to offer free flu vaccines to children aged two to 16 and people aged 50 and over or in "at-risk" groups this winter in England, amid the double threat of coronavirus and influenza, the BBC reported Saturday.
The government is also considering a booster program of COVID-19 vaccines for the most vulnerable in the coming months.
To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.
Visitors wearing face masks queue to board the London Eye in London, Britain, on July 16, 2021. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)■
