UK coronavirus cases plunge by 40 per cent in a week

A staff member of the National Health Service (NHS) claps outside Royal Berkshire Hospital during the weekly "Clap for Our Carers" campaign in Reading, Britain on April 23, 2020. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)

Coronavirus cases in the UK have fallen by almost 40 percent and deaths have declined by a third, new figures revealed on Sunday.

The country reported 144 deaths within 28 days of a positive test for a toll of 122,849, the fifth highest in the world. There were a further 6,035 lab-confirmed infections, bringing the total to 4,176,554 as of Sunday.

More than 20 million people in the UK - almost a third of the country's population - have now been given their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, the Government has said.

"20 million people across the UK have now got the jab – a huge national achievement and a testament to the tireless work of NHS staff, volunteers, the Armed Forces many more," Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted.

"I urge everyone to get the jab when called. Every jab makes a difference in our battle against COVID.”

(With input from agencies)