One Covid fatality in South Yorkshire as death rates seem to fall

This brings the total deaths in Doncaster to 746, and Sheffield remains with 894 deaths, Rotheram with 562 deaths and Barnsley with 606 deaths.

Nationally, a further 174 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths reported in hospitals to 84,091.

NHS England said patients were aged between 26 and 102. All except six, aged between 61 and 89, had known underlying health conditions.

The deaths were between April 13 and March 4, with the majority being on or after March 1.

CORONAVIRUS: "Bear with us": Sheffield health officials reassure residents that they will be able to get vaccinated at Arena

There were 30 other deaths reported with no positive Covid-19 test result.

NHS England data also shows a total of 2,282,797 jabs were given to people in London between December 8 and March 4, including 2,185,144 first doses and 97,653 second doses.

This compares with 3,527,175 first doses and 126,482 second doses given to people in the Midlands, a total of 3,653,657.

CORONAVIRUS: The 11 Sheffield neighbourhoods where fewest under-65s have been vaccinated

The breakdown for the other regions is:

East of England – 2,139,366 first doses and 89,143 second doses, making 2,228,509 in total

North East and Yorkshire – 2,793,307 first and 113,572 second doses (2,906,879)

North West – 2,376,569 first and 89,716 second doses (2,466,285)

South East – 2,906,059 first and 125,017 second doses (3,031,076)

South West – 2,087,500 first and 87,028 second doses (2,174,528)

Government scientific advisers have said the latest reproduction number (the R) estimate for England remains between 0.7 and 0.9.

CORONAVIRUS: ‘Kick in the teeth’: Sheffield nurses slam ‘pay cut’ after hardest year of their lives battling Covid

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.