A FURTHER 50 people have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 in the UK as of Tuesday (August 31), bringing the UK total to 132,535.

Meanwhile, more than 350 new Covid-19 cases were reported across Mid Cheshire during the latest 24-hour period at the time of writing.

A total of 340 people have tested positive, according to the latest figures from Public Health England.

This is made up of 164 new cases in Cheshire West and Chester and 176 cases in Cheshire East.

The total number of cases in both boroughs now stands at 34,166 in Cheshire West and 34,096 in Cheshire East.

The latest update means there have now been 1,065 cases in the last seven days in Cheshire West, giving the borough a seven-day case rate of 309.8 per 100,000 people.

There have been 1,147 cases in Cheshire East over the last week, meaning the borough’s seven-day case rate is now 296.6 per 100,000.

Nationally there were 238,160 new Covid-19 cases across the UK in this same period.

Ministers intend to roll out a Covid-19 booster programme starting this month, officials have said.

Experts from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) are preparing to make a final decision about the booster campaign, with the NHS in England poised to start the campaign from September 6.

NHS leaders have plans in place to offer a third jab to 30 million over-50s and clinically vulnerable people but are yet to get a green light from Government advisers.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We are still awaiting the final advice from JCVI on boosters.

“It is still very much our intention to roll out the booster programme during September.”

The spokesman also said that it was still the plan to introduce vaccine passports for nightclubs from the end of September.

Experts will also issue guidance as to whether the UK will offer the vaccine to 12 to 15-year-olds.