UK records 24,950 Covid cases - another drop in cases for sixth consecutive day

• ITV News Health Editor Emily Morgan and Political Correspondent Romilly Weeks discuss the further drop in coronavirus cases

A further 24,950 people have tested positive for Covid in the last 24-hour reporting figure, the sixth day in a row in which coronavirus cases have fallen.

In the 24 hours to 9am on Monday, another 14 deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test were recorded.

In the seven days to Monday, Covid cases have fallen by 21.5%, while deaths have increased by 50.3%.

Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics show there have been 154,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

The latest figures come as more workers could soon be eligible for exemption from coronavirus self-isolation as caution is urged around a sustained drop in daily Covid-19 infections.

Ministers are considering whether an exemption - allowing some double-vaccinated workers within 16 industries to escape self-isolation following a coronavirus contact - should be extended to further sectors.

Current exemptions, which see workers tested for Covid-19 to ensure they're not carrying the virus, were granted to some critical industries including food supply, amid warnings about staff shortages leading to empty supermarket shelves.

England

Government data shows 12 more people in England have died of coronavirus, bringing the country's death toll to 113,546.

A further 22,181 people have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of cases in England to 4,993,657.

Scotland

Scotland has recorded no new deaths of coronavirus patients but 1,000 new cases in the past 24 hours, the latest Scottish government figures show.

The number of people who have died having first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days is still 7,859.

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Wales

Public Health Wales has reported 1,130 new cases. This takes the total number of cases in the nation to 238,003.

Two new deaths have been reported which means the death roll has risen to 5,597.

Northern Ireland

There have been no new deaths reported in Northern Ireland, however a further 639 people have tested positive for coronavirus.

The total number of cases in the nation is now at 149,623, since the start of the pandemic.