Covid: Infection rates still 'alarmingly high' says PM

The level of infection across the UK is still "alarmingly high", the prime minister has warned, as he praised the "colossal" effort of health workers who have now vaccinated 10 million people.

Boris Johnson said 90% of those aged over 75 in England had received the first dose of a Covid vaccine.

He said although the number of people in hospital was beginning to fall, the NHS was still under "huge pressure".

The prime minister also urged people to clap for Captain Sir Tom Moore.

The 100-year-old, who raised almost £33m for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden, died with coronavirus in Bedford Hospital on Tuesday.

Prof Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, said the current wave was on a "downward slope", adding "most of my colleagues think we are past the peak".

But he said that did not mean you could "never have another peak".