Daily reported cases of Covid-19 in UK drop for fifth day in a row

The number of new cases of Covid-19 reported each day in the UK has fallen for the fifth day in a row, new figures show.

A total of 29,173 cases were reported by the Government on Sunday, down from the 48,161 recorded a week ago on July 18.

It is the fifth day in a row that the number of daily reported cases has dropped, with average daily cases down 15% week on week.

The last time cases fell for five consecutive days was between February 5 and 9.

However, it is too soon for the data to show any impact from the ending of legal restrictions in England last Monday (July 19) due to the time lag between people becoming infected and getting tested.

Some restrictions remain in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including limits on indoor gatherings and wearing face coverings in certain areas.

Government figures also show that a further 28 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Sunday, bringing the UK total to 129,158.

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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.

Boris Johnson is facing growing calls to immediately allow fully vaccinated contacts of coronavirus cases to be exempt from isolation if they test negative in order to prevent staffing crises.

The government announced on Thursday that certain workers, including those in the food supply chain, will be exempt from Covid self-isolation rules.

There are also plans to end self-isolation for the double-jabbed and under-18s from August 16 if they test negative for Covid-19.