The UK records 144 new Covid fatalities as 20 million get first jab-

A total of 6,035 new infections were also recorded, a decrease of 21.2 per cent since last week.

Last Sunday 9,834 people tested positive for the virus with 215 deaths recorded.

The grim UK death toll now stands at 122,849.

The Government statistics are usually lower on a Sunday which may give the impression of a steeper drop off in infections and deaths.