LONDON, Aug 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain has reported 26,144 new cases of COVID-19, government data showed on Saturday, meaning the fall in cases between July 25 and July 31 stood at 33 per cent compared with the previous seven days.
A further 71 people were reported as having died within 28 days of a positive test for COVID-19, taking the seven-day increase to 9.2 per cent.
A total of 46.81 million people had received a first dose of a vaccine against coronavirus by July 30 and 38.13 million people had received a second dose.
Meanwhile, British Chancellor Rishi Sunak wrote to Boris Johnson urging the prime minister to ease travel restrictions because he said they were hurting the country’s economy and tourism.
Sunak continued to say in the letter that the country’s border policy was out of step with international competitors.
The chancellor is concerned that the restrictions in place were harming British companies that were competing with European counterparts in conducting business with American companies.
Ministers would not have access to data from the Joint Biosecurity Centre until early this week and will discuss travel restrictions at a meeting on Thursday (Aug 5).
About 10 countries are expected to be moved from the amber to the green list, while France will probably revert to amber from “amber plus” – fully vaccinated visitors currently have to go into quarantine on their return. — NNN-AGENCIES
