UK records 158 Covid-19 deaths as vaccinations approach 22 million

6 March 2021, 17:45 | Updated: 6 March 2021, 17:48

Almost 22 million people have had their first dose of the Covid-19 jab
Almost 22 million people have had their first dose of the Covid-19 jab. Picture: PA Images
Ewan Quayle

By Ewan Quayle

A further 158 people have died in UK hospitals after testing positive for Covid-19 as the number of people to have a first dose of the vaccine approaches 22 million.

It brings the number of confirmed deaths to 124,419 so far - one of the highest in the world.

Of those who died in the past 24 hours, all except six had known underlying health conditions.

Read more: Government urged to make U-turn over 'unacceptable' 1% NHS pay rise as backlash grows

Another 6,040 new cases were also recorded - a slight increase on yesterday but still one of the lowest daily figures in months.

David Lammy's furious reaction to proposed 1% increase for NHS workers

It comes as almost 22 million people have had either their first or second dose of the Covid-19 jab

Data up to March 5 shows that of the 22,887,118 jabs given in the UK so far, 21,796,278 were first doses - a rise of 437,463 on the previous day.

Read more: Reopening of schools marks 'beginning of road back to normality', Education Secretary says

Some 1,090,840 were second doses, an increase of 56,772.

The number of new jabs given each day is slightly down compared to previous weeks due to delivery and manufacturing issues, the Government has said, but it confirmed that the UK is still due to hit major vaccination targets regardless.

John McDonnell: 'Pay the nurses' to boost NHS

Meanwhile, healthcare workers in hospitals and vaccination centres have been left furious by the decision to increase their pay by only 1%.

The Government is being urged to make a U-turn but minister insist that it cannot afford a further increase while schemes such as Test and Trace and furlough continue to require billions in funding.

Health Minister Nadine Dorries told LBC on Friday that the Government cannot afford to give NHS staff more than one per cent.

Watch: 'This Government would be mistaken to pick a fight with nurses'

But a growing number of trade unions are considering strike action and senior politicians, including former Conservative health minister Dr Dan Poulter, are calling on the Government to reverse its decision.

Dr Poulter, who has been assisting on the NHS front line during the pandemic, said it is "very valid" for ministers to turn their attention to paying back the £400 billion borrowed during the coronavirus crisis - but it is the "wrong time to be making this decision".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Artist's impression of the new national biosecurity centre at Weybridge, Surrey

New centre to tackle 'risk of future pandemics' gets billion-pound investment

Screenings for cervical cancer save at least 2,000 lives each year in the UK

NHS to offer at-home cervical cancer screening test kits that 'could save 5,000 lives per year'

Zelensky visits 10 Downing Street for talks with Keir Starmer on Monday

Zelensky warns Putin could launch an attack on NATO 'within five years'

Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt arriving at the F1 The Movie premiere in Leicester Square.

'Interview with the Vampire' co-stars Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise make 'surprise' public reunion after 24 years

The first Brits are arriving in the UK after being evacuated from Israel.

First Brits rescued from Israel touch down at Heathrow Airport as more to arrive in coming days

The president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) said professionals are in distress

Stretched mental health services leaving psychiatrists ‘in emotional and ethical distress’

Jobs will be created at warehouses in locations including Hull and Northampton

Amazon’s new UK warehouses to hire thousands as Starmer hails ‘win’ for Britain

Iran has launched an attack on a US military base.

Trump claims Israel and Iran have agreed 'complete and total ceasefire' in wake of Iranian strike on US air base

A Qatar Airways flight from Manchester was forced to divert earlier this evening

UK flight bound for Doha forced to turn back after Iran launches missiles at US air base in Qatar

Sir Keir Starmer will fly to the Hague today for crunch meetings against a backdrop of global volatility in the Middle East and Ukraine.

UK and NATO allies to include 'money spent on tackling small boats' to boost defence spending in bid to appease Trump

The

Thousands raised after family die in motorway crash - daughter, 8, is only survivor

Kate Shemirani, conspiracy theorist, anti-vaxxer and former nurse

Daughter of notorious conspiracy theorist died of cancer after 'falling for mother's theories', her brothers say

Emma Raducanu during a practice session during Eastbourne Open, where she is currently competing

Raducanu says Wimbledon 'did amazing job' after stalker tried to buy match tickets

Large fire engulfs the abandoned Hotspur Press mill building near Oxford Road in Central Manchester. Credit Milo Chandler/Alamy Live News

Major fire in Manchester city centre causes serious disruption

Notorious criminal John 'Goldfinger' Palmer was murdered at his home in Brentwood in Essex in 2015. His killer has never been found

Who killed John 'Goldfinger' Palmer? Police make fresh appeal 10 years after his death

An RAF flight has left Israel carrying 63 UK nationals and their dependents, as the UK government begins evacuating British citizens from the country amid ongoing attacks between Iran and Israel.

First RAF flight evacuates 63 Britons from Israel as Lammy confirms one UK national injured in Iran missile attacks