Covid deaths at 178 – lowest for 10 weeks – but cases UP for first time in six weeks with 10,641 infections

THE UK has today recorded its lowest increase in Covid fatalities in ten weeks as Boris Johnson outlined his plan to unlock the nation.

But government figures today revealed another 10,641 infections were recorded in 24 hours - the first week-on-week rise since the start of the year.

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The infection rate shows Covid cases have increased by nearly 10% since this time last week when 9,765 cases were recorded.

And the daily cases figure is the first time that there had been a week-on-week rise since the beginning of January.

The death toll from the vicious bug now stands at 120,757 while 4,126,150 have now caught the bug in Britain since the start of the pandemic.

The number of deaths recorded today is lower than it was last Monday, when 230 fatalities were confirmed.

In fact, the figure has not been as low as it was today since December 13, when 144 deaths were reported.

It comes as...

• Boris Johnson today announced his map was a "one way road to freedom"
• All students will return to England schools from March 8
• Hairdressers will open from April 12 along with gyms
• Pubs will reopen for indoor drinking in May as outdoor service returns in April
• Brits will be able to meet inside from May 17 while following the rule of 6 or two households
• Working from home measures will remain in place until at least June
• Nightclubs will reopen on June 21 as the lockdown is lifted into summer
• A full list of businesses that must stay closed until April 12 was revealed today - with cinemas and bingo halls to stay closed until May 17

It comes as Boris Johnson today outlined his plan for unlocking the nation - which will start in just two weeks' time.

Boris praised the rollout of the vaccine - saying it had helped speed up the end of lockdown.

More than 17m people have so far received their first dose of the Covid vaccination, with about 150,000 jabs administered yesterday.

It is one of the lowest daily numbers since the vaccination rollout began to speed up last month.

The PM told MPs in the House of Commons he hopes to get Britain booming and back to near normal by June, and give every adult a vaccine by the end of July.

All restrictions will be lifted at the same time across England - with no more tiers in sight.

He told MPs today: "Today the end really is in sight. A wretched year will soon give way to spring and summer that will be very different to today."

And as long as the data allows and there are no more new variants which could wreck the plans, the PM aims to review and relax more rules every five weeks.

The PM vowed his map was a "one way road to freedom" and insisted there would be no turning back.

He also hinted that the furlough scheme would be extended further, saying he would do whatever it takes to continue to provide support for people throughout the pandemic and "the rug will not be pulled out".

The plan will come as part of four stages - which can't be pulled forward.

Schools will be the first in the plan to reopen on March 8, with secondary pupils made to wear masks in the classroom.

Meanwhile, children in Scotland and Wales started to go back to school today.

From March 8, two people will be able to meet outside "to address some of the issues around loneliness".

The rules will relax further on March 29, when the 'Rule of Six' will apply outdoors.

Brits can enjoy a pint in pub beer gardens once again on April 12 as well as get a haircut as salons reopen.

From May 17, stadiums, live venues and cinemas will be able to welcome fans once again, with caps on numbers to help maintain social distancing.

All other restrictions are due to be lifted on June 21.