oronavirus cases in the UK have dropped by nearly 40 per cent in a week, falling below 30,000 for the first time in two weeks.
On Sunday, Public Health England recorded 29,173 new cases, making it the fifth consecutive day cases have declined.
It is the first time cases have fallen below 30,000 since July 11, when there were 29,985 – and the lowest number since July 10 at 27,843.
According to reports, it is likely that the country will be removed from the ‘amber-plus’ list as government officials seemed to admit the Beta variant threat was contained.
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Downing Street said around 500 sites would be set up this week where double-jabbed workers would be exempt from self-isolation if they are coronavirus contacts
The Government has promised up to 500 sites critical to food supplies and 200 covering emergency and transport workers will take part in the programme, with tests replacing quarantine.
A No 10 spokesman was unable to say how many sites were currently operating the scheme.
But he added: “We expect 500 sites to be able to…