Covid: UK records 31,795 new coronavirus cases

The UK has recorded a further 31,795 coronavirus cases, bringing the total of infections to 5,669,770.

It follows a further drop in cases on Friday, when 36,389 new cases of Covid-19 and a further 64 deaths were reported.

The daily death total is not yet available for Saturday, due to technical difficulties in processing England deaths data.

Public Health England said 46,519,998 people have now received the 1st dose of a Covid vaccine and 36,953,691 have received a 2nd dose.

The latest infection increase comes as the government expanded the daily test scheme to replace self-isolation for emergency service workers, including police, fire, border and transport workers.

The "test to return to work" scheme means those who have received an NHS Covid 19 app alert to self-isolate, or have been called by Test and Trace, will be able to continue working if they test negative for coronavirus.

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