The latest epidemiological indicators announced on Sunday are taken as further indication that the peak of the Omicron variant in the United Kingdom has passed.
Specifically, the 70.924 cases reported are the fewest in a 24-hour period since mid-December and represent a reduction of 49,9% compared to last Sunday.
The deaths confirmed in the 24-hour period were 88, reduced by 9,2% compared to last Sunday's report.
Conservative leader Oliver Dowden said the figures were "very encouraging", adding that he had always hoped that the safeguards in place in England would be lifted as soon as possible.
His statement is seen as an indirect confirmation of reports that Boris Johnson is aiming for the complete lifting of the restrictions on January 26, ie the abolition of vaccination certificates and the withdrawal of the recommendation for teleworking. The obligation to use a mask in most enclosed spaces is also under discussion.
And Health Minister Sajid Javid commented that with more than four in five adults in the country having taken the booster dose of the Covid vaccine, the indicators are moving "in the right direction".
From today, moreover, the administration of the third dose to adolescents aged 16 and 17 years, as well as to vulnerable children from 12 to 15 years.
Also from today the minimum duration of isolation for those diagnosed positive in the coronavirus is reduced from seven to five days. If they have a negative antigen test on the fifth day and the morning of the sixth, they will be free to circulate normally.
The decentralized government of Scotland, moreover, is now ending the ban on large outdoor sporting and artistic events, although a capacity limit is maintained.
Source: KYPE