Covid cases more than double in a week in biggest daily surge since January but deaths drop after massive jabs push

COVID infections have more than doubled in a WEEK in the biggest daily surge since January - but deaths dropped to three as the massive vaccine push continues.

Another 22,868 new cases were recorded today - a 115% rise compared to the 10,633 infections recorded last Monday.

🔵 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates

The latest figures compare to 18,270 new infections and 23 fatalities yesterday.

But despite the soaring cases, just 1,557 patients have been admitted into hospital in the past seven days with deaths remaining mercifully low at three in a day.

It's the lowest daily death total in a fortnight - a hint at the success of the vaccine programme in the UK.

Three more people passed away from the virus in the past 24 hours, meaning the total death toll now sits at 128,103.

Despite the increase in infections, the new Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, today told Parliament that "while cases are now are ticking up, the number of deaths remains mercifully low".

He added: "We’ll continue to investigate how our vaccines are breaking that link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths."

An upbeat Mr Javid also vowed that July 19 would be the "end of the line" for lockdown.

In his first Commons statement in post the new Health Secretary declared: "The restrictions on our freedoms - they must come to an end."

Officials say the UK's mass vaccination campaign is weakening the link between cases and deaths.

Covid jab data from the government up to June 27 shows that of the 77,038,257 doses given in the UK so far, 44,454,511 were first doses.

This is a rise of 376,267 on the previous day. And 32,583,746 were second doses, an increase of 339,513.

Since the pandemic hit Britain early last year, 4,755,078 have tested positive for the virus.

As of today, with 22,868 new cases recorded, the Government data shows it is the biggest daily rise since January 30.

Last Monday, 10,633 infections were recorded as well as 16 deaths, meaning that infections have risen by 69.9 per cent in just a week. 

The Prime Minister today said it's "very likely" lockdown will be gone for good on July 19 in a battle cry for Brits to hang on three more weeks.

Boris Johnson dashed hopes of unlocking early on July 5 but said the prize of waiting a little longer will be a welcome return to pre-pandemic life.

Speaking outside his new office yesterday, Mr Javid said: “We are still in a pandemic and I want to see that come to an end as soon as possible.

“That will be my most immediate priority to see that we can return to normal as soon and quickly as possible.” 

Step 4 of the government's roadmap out of lockdown was due to see all restrictions lifted on on June 21, but the date was pushed back a month over the spread of the Delta - or Indian - variant.

Experts have also claimed that vaccines made by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna could give a lifetime protection from the killer virus. 

A study found that while the virus has been evolving into different variants, such as the Delta strain sweeping the UK, our immune systems have also been changing.

The new data on the Pfizer and Moderna jabs comes after an Oxford expert revealed booster jabs may not be needed as two jabs are "effective enough".

Researchers at Washington University said jabs made by Pfizer and Moderna can set off an immune reaction in the body that could help protect you from the virus for years to come.