UK Covid daily cases plunge 40% in just one week with 84,429 more recorded

Covid cases have plunged 40% as a further 84,429 cases are recorded across UK.

A further 85 deaths has also been recorded in the last 24 hours.

Last Monday 142,224 tested positive across the UK in 24 hours prior - with a further 77 deaths.

It comes as rules on isolation in England, and Omicron restrictions in Scotland and Wales, are all being relaxed slightly.

That has fuelled hope that in England, Plan B - with Covid passes for nightclubs and work-from-home guidance - will end on January 26.

Asked if Plan B will end on time, Boris Johnson ’s spokesman said today: “There are some encouraging signs that infections are falling across the country, we would want to see that mirrored in the latest ONS data as well.

Commuters wearing face masks as a preventive measure against the spread of coronavirus are seen in the London underground (SIPA USA/PA Images)

“There are also some signs of falls or at least plateauing in admissions and occupancy in hospital, which is good to see."

However, he warned the NHS is still under significant pressure and “we are keeping a very close eye on the data”.

“There are also some signs of falls or at least plateauing in admissions and occupancy in hospital, which is good to see."

However, he warned the NHS is still under significant pressure and “we are keeping a very close eye on the data”.

It’s also been reported that compulsory masks in shops and public transport, another part of England’s Plan B, will be extended.

A woman receives her Covid Vaccine Booster in Pontllanfraith, Wales (Getty Images)

In an overhaul to Covid self-isolation rules, the government now states people living in England may leave self-isolation after five full days, whether they are vaccinated or not.

However, in order to leave self-isolation following five full days of self-isolation, people will need to take a lateral flow test on day five and then 24 hours later, on day six.

Both of these lateral flow tests must be negative in order for those self-isolating to be allowed to head out again.

In order to leave self-isolation following five full days of self-isolation, people will need to take a lateral flow test on day five and then 24 hours later, on day six (Alvaro Laguna/Pacific Press/REX/Shutterstock)

If the lateral flow tests show a positive Covid result on day five or six, people must continue to self-isolate. You may then leave isolation after testing negative on two consecutive days, or after 10 days.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), two-thirds of positive cases were no longer infectious by day five.

While it is less likely for people who leave self-isolation on day six to be infectious, people should take precautionary measures to avoid the risk of transmitting Covid to others.