There were 442 deaths within 28 days of a positive test for coronavirus reported in the UK today, down from 548 yesterday.
The death rate has continued to fall, a week ago 738 coronavirus deaths were announced, while a fortnight ago the figure was 1,001.
This shows a decrease of 31 per cent compared to the previous week.
The latest deaths bring the UK death toll up to 121,747.
The UK has the fifth highest Covid death toll in the world, even though it has the sixth highest lockdown restrictions, according to Oxford University researchers.
Public Health England also reported 9,938 confirmed positive test results on Wednesday.
The latest figures came as London is expecting to pass two million vaccines being delivered.
The capital’s chief nurse said that “over 1.9 million” first and second doses had been given by Monday night and claimed there had been a “step change” in take-up among black and ethnic minority communities in inner London.
Gavin Williamson, who is due to lead a Downing Street press conference today, became the first Cabinet minister to say he will take out a “vaccine passport” if it means being allowed back to the theatre, restaurants and cinemas again.
“I think I would probably do pretty much sort of anything to be able to enjoy all those lovely things,” the Education Secretary told LBC.
“The idea of going to a restaurant with your family or going to the theatre is something we all really want to see.”
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It came as Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer for England, made clear his excitement at the early impact of the vaccine in cutting hospitalisations and deaths, in particular against the Kent strain that is dominant in the UK.
“So, yes! Our vaccines are working against the current variant,” he told ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
On days of good supply about 40,000 jabs are given in London, meaning the two million total may be reached tonight. The first was given on December 8 at Croydon hospital to retired butcher George Dyer, 90.
