UK Covid deaths rise by 15% in week but vaccine milestone smashed as three-quarters of adults double jabbed

UK COVID deaths have risen by 15 per cent in a week as 146 fatalities were recorded in the last day.

And now the total number of people who have caught the virus stands at 6,117,540 after 23,510 infections were reported in the last 24 hours.

This comes as three-quarters of adults have received both doses of a Covid vaccine, officials have said.

The Department of Health and Social Care said that a total of 86,780,455 doses have been administered in the UK.

This includes 47,091,889 people who have receiving a first dose, 89 per cent, and 39,688,566 people who have received both doses, 75 per cent, according to DHSC statistics.

It comes as the NHS in England announced that nearly 16,000 16 and 17-year-olds have already received their vaccine over the weekend.

Last week vaccination experts advising the Government said that the offer of a jab should be extended to 16 and 17-year-olds after reviewing the latest data.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the “national achievement” of fully vaccinating 75 per cent of all UK adults.

“Our incredible vaccine rollout has now provided vital protection against the virus to three-quarters of all UK adults,” he said.

VACCINE SUCCESS

“This is a huge national achievement, which we should all be proud of.

“It’s so important that those who haven’t been vaccinated come forward as soon as possible to book their jab – to protect themselves, protect their loved ones and allow us all to enjoy our freedoms safely.”

Health Secretary Sajid Javid added: “Three in four adults across the UK have now had both doses of the vaccine, which is incredible and a testament to the fantastic work of the NHS, volunteers and everyone involved in the rollout.

“Getting two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine is the key to enjoying a host of new freedoms safely – whether that be to enjoy a trip abroad with family or a night out with friends – as we continue to build our wall of protection.

“The vaccines are allowing us to reconnect with the things we love, but more than that, they’re protecting the people we love too.

“Please make sure to come forward for your jab if you haven’t already as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, the UK is facing a harsh winter battling Covid before the pandemic ends next year, an expert has warned.

Professor Linda Bauld thinks we may need more restrictions at some point, but has hope for 2022.

She said Britain expects to be “emerging from a pandemic which is an immediate risk to health”.

But the public health academic warned winter could be “difficult” and a new variant could curb our freedoms again.

Asked whether there could be more lockdowns in the autumn and winter, she told BBC Breakfast: “None of us has a crystal ball (but) I’m hopeful that will not be the case.

“I think we will see, for example, outbreaks and surges in localities and we may need a more targeted and local approach.

“I think the UK and a number of other countries are really looking ahead to the coming months and saying ‘well we’re going to have a difficult winter but if we can get through this, looking ahead to next year, I think we really will be emerging from the pandemic which is an immediate risk to health to everybody in an area, to an endemic situation with this virus’.

“And that is what all of us hope.”

She added: “We are probably going to need vaccines and boosters for the foreseeable future.”