UK records more than seven million coronavirus cases since start of pandemic

The milestone comes as another 41,192 infections were reported on Monday

The UK has now recorded more than seven million Covid cases since the pandemic began. The milestone came Monday, Sky News reported, as 41,192 new infections were reported in the latest 24-hour period and 45 Covid-related deaths. Those figures compare with 37,011 infections and 68 fatalities reported Sunday. A total of 133,274 people have died - within 28 days of a positive Covid test - in the UK since the pandemic began early last year and there have been 7,018,927 lab-confirmed cases. According to the latest data, 988 Covid patients were admitted to hospital on 31 August, while there were 6,573 admissions in the last seven days, a 3.7% rise on the week before. Some 21,795 people had their first Covid vaccine on Sunday, taking the total to 48,270,113 (88.8% of over-16s in the UK) and 73,193 had their second, meaning 43,455,083 are now fully inoculated (79.9% of over-16s). Last month, experts warned it is "highly likely" there will be large levels of coronavirus infections in schools by the end of September, and as the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) decided against recommending Covid vaccines for all 12 to 15-year-olds on health grounds alone. The UK's chief medical officers are currently considering the wider benefits of the move, such as reducing school absences. They are expected to present their findings within days, Sky News reported. Related links Doctors plead for people to stop taking horse dewormer for Covid Joe Rogan tests positive for Covid after telling listeners not to get vaccine Minister confirms vaccine passports needed for nightclubs and mass events