Covid ZERO! England reports no new coronavirus deaths for first time in 14 months
NO COVID-19 deaths have been recorded for the first time in 14 months in England as Boris Johnson sets out the next stage of easing lockdown restrictions.
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Figures published by the UK Government said no people had died within 28 days of testing positive for COVID-19 as of Monday, bringing the England total to 112,245. They also said there were 244 deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate as of Friday, April 23.
The data, Whitehall officials say, has helped to show the UK Government that the “four tests” for easing further COVID-19 restrictions on Monday, May 17 have been met.
Officials say infection rates are at their lowest level since September, while hospital admissions and patients in hospital continue to decrease - with levels now similar to July last year.
They also stressed hospital admissions and cases of severe illness also remain in line with modelling provided by scientific experts for the roadmap to easing restrictions.
Outdoor arenas will be able to host live events with a maximum number of 4,000 attendees, or for large outdoor seated venues where crowds can be spread out, up to 10,000.
Gatherings inside homes are allowed once again, with a limit of up to six people or groups from a maximum of two households.
Indoor recreation will return too, with the reopening of cinemas, sports and indoor seating at pubs and restaurants.
Guidance on meeting family and friends will be updated and the British public will be able to make informed, personal decisions on close contact, such as hugging, with their friends and family.
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Mr Johnson told a Downing Street press conference: "I want to thank you, particularly because your efforts have so visibly paid off, giving us the time to vaccinate more than two-thirds of all adults across the UK, with more than one third - nearly 18 million people - also receiving their second dose and thereby unquestionably saving many lives.
"And so it's precisely because of your efforts that I can confirm today that we've met our four tests for further easing the lockdown in England."
"And to give business more time to prepare we will be saying more later this month about exactly what the world will look like and what role there could be - if any - for certification and social distancing."
During the briefing today, Mr Johnson also praised the "successful" UK vaccination rollout continues, with the latest data showing that over 35 million people receiving at least one dose, and nearly 18 million receiving both doses.
One-quarter of all adults have also now received the strongest protection available.
The latest figures also show up to May 9 35,472,295 people have had a first dose of vaccine, a rise of 100,626 on the previous day, while 17,856,550 of those have now also had a second dose, an increase of 187,171.