THE UK's coronavirus death toll has fallen by 60 per cent in a month.

       A further 40 people died after testing positive for Covid-19 today - an 18-per cent drop on last Monday.

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       The UK's coronavirus death toll has dropped by 18 per cent

       And today's fatalities are fewer than half of what was seen on August 27, when 100 people died.

       But while death figures have dropped, the number of people testing positive has increased - with today's 37,960 cases a 5.6 per cent rise on last Friday.

       It comes amid reports that the NHS can start removing tough infection control measures that have been in place for more than a year.

       In another move towards a “new normal” with the virus, the Health Secretary said it would take the pressure off worn-out NHS staff.

       Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said "ever more people" are benefitting from the "protection of our phenomenal vaccination campaign".

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       As a result, "we can now safely begin to relieve some of the most stringent infection control where they are no longer necessary to benefit patients and ease the burden on hardworking NHS staff", he said.

       Since Covid tore through the UK in early 2020, the NHS was forced to follow new guidance to prevent patients catching it in hospitals.

       It included extensive wearing of PPE, cancellation of operations and social distancing throughout sites.

       This meant fewer non-Covid patients could be seen, driving up a huge backlog of problems - including a 5.6 million waiting list in England.

       But now - despite there still being just shy of 800 Covid admissions each day in the UK - experts believe it’s safe to strip back the rules.

       Less social distancing, testing of patients and cleaning will be required.

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