Lateral flow test
(Picture: PA Wire)The UK has recorded another 174,982 weekly Covid cases, according to Wednesday’s figures.
The latest government data released covers a seven-day period from April 14-20.
This is 31 per cent, or 78,474 cases fewer, than the previous seven-day period.
According to the latest figures, another 1,340 deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid result have been confirmed.
More than 53 million people have now had a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and 49.6 million have had a second dose, as of April 19.
Data showed more than 38 million people had recieved a booster jab or third dose, equating to 68 per cent of the UK population over the age of 12.
It comes as data shows there has been a sharp fall in people fully self-isolating since Covid rules in England were scrapped at the end of February, a new survey suggests.
Just over half (53 per cent) of people questioned said they had followed the full advice for self-isolating, down from four in five (80%) in February when isolation was a legal requirement.
The survey was carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) between March 17 and 26, nearly a month since the Government removed all rules for self-isolation in England on February 24.
At the time of the survey, adults and children who tested positive for coronavirus were advised to stay at home and avoid contact with others for at least five full days, and to follow this guidance until they had received two negative test results on consecutive days.
Levels of compliance with the self-isolation guidance were lower among 18 to 34-year-olds (48 per cent) and 35 to 54-year-olds (53 per cent) than among people aged 55 and over (56 per cent), the ONS found.
They were also lower for males (49 per cent) than females (55 per cent).
However, almost all (98 per cent) respondents agreed that it is important to follow self-isolation advice.
Tim Gibbs, head of the ONS public services analysis team, said: “Today’s data show compliance with self-isolation advice was notably lower compared with levels reported earlier in the year.
“It is important to note that self-isolation was advised but not legally required during the time of data collection.
“Of those who did not fully follow self-isolation advice, the most common reason for those leaving the house was for outdoor recreation or exercise.”
