THE UK has passed the grim milestone of SEVEN MILLION covid cases since the start of the pandemic.

It comes as a further 41,192 Brits tested positive in the last 24 hours – but deaths have remained low with 45 more reported.

In total 7,018,927 people as of today have tested positive for the killer bug while 133,274 have died.

Meanwhile statistics show 21,795 people had their first vaccine dose on Sunday.

This means a of 48,270,113 -88.8% of over-16s in the UK – have received their first jab.

And 73,193 had their second jab yesterday, meaning 43,455,083 are now fully vaccinated.

Earlier today Downing Street warned ministers were ready to take the nation back into another lockdown over winter if they had to.

The PM's spokesperson said they kept all emergency measures under review in case drastic action was needed to stop spiralling cases and hospitalisations.

It came after the PM sparked fury among his own backbenchers with plans to extend the draconian Covid powers for another six months.

He will keep the legal underpinning for restrictions in place in case he needs to use them in the coming months.

Another shutdown would destroy the UK's economy at just a time where it's starting to recover post-pandemic.

But No10 stressed the huge stonking success of Britain's vaccine programme means we are one of the most free and open nations now.

Booster vaccines for the vulnerable are expected in the coming months too, and a decision on vaccinating teenagers is expected within weeks.

The PM's spokesperson said today when grilled on the extension: "With regards to what comes next we need to carefully monitor the situation.

"As a responsible government, we retain the ability to take further steps if necessary but it is thanks to significant defences of vaccination programme that we are able to be one of the most open societies in Europe.

"And we will continue to push forward with vaccination programmes and that remains the case."

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