UK records highest daily coronavirus-related death toll since March

LONDON - Britain reported another 170 coronavirus-related deaths, the highest number of fatalities recorded in one day since March 12, according to official figures released Tuesday.

The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 131,149. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.

Another 26,852 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 6,322,241, according to the latest figures.

Meanwhile, data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed that a total of 10,187 deaths were registered in the week ending Aug 6, of which 527, about 5.2 percent, involved coronavirus.

The number of COVID-19 related deaths is up 30 percent week on week and stands at the highest level since the week ending March 26, according to the ONS.

However, the number of deaths is still well below the levels seen at the peak of the second wave at the start of the year thanks to the progress of the vaccine rollout.

Public Health England figures estimated that in England between 81,300 and 87,800 deaths have been prevented because of vaccinations.

Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved the use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for the 12 to 17-year-olds.

"I am pleased to confirm that the COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna has now been authorized in 12-17 year olds. The vaccine is safe and effective in this age group," said June Raine, MHRA Chief Executive in a statement.

"It is for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) to advise on whether this age group should be vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna as part of the deployment program," said Raine.

Nearly 90 percent of the adults in Britain have received a COVID-19 vaccine, while more than 77 percent have had the second jab, according to the latest figures.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.