The UK epidemic now seems to be coming down from a peak in infections at the start of the year. Deaths peaked at 1,324 occurring on the 18th of January (by date of death, not date of report; the per capita equivalent of around 6,460 deaths occurring in one day in the US). We remain in a rather severe lockdown, which does at least seem to be having an effect in reducing the rate of transmission of the mutant strain of the virus. We are down to fewer than 30,000 new cases a day on average, from a peak of more than 60,000 in early January. The rate of new deaths is still likely around 1,000 per day.
More than 600,000 vaccine doses were given yesterday. Nearly 9,000,000 people in total have had at least the first dose, as of yesterday, which is more than 13% of the population. Some of my older relatives have already been vaccinated. An elderly couple, who are family friends, are both in hospital with the disease. They had been isolating at home, but also had a carer coming around regularly, which is an obvious transmission route.