
LONDON, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Another 16,982 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 722,409, according to official figures released Sunday.
The coronavirus-related deaths in Britain rose by 67 to 43,646, the data showed.
The latest figures came as a British government scientific adviser revealed that more than one coronavirus vaccine could be available in the next six months.
"I think in the first quarter of next year we will have vaccines -- will have more than one vaccine," Jeremy Farrar, who sits on the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), told Sky News.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, has also reportedly said a mass rollout of the vaccine being created at the University of Oxford and manufactured by AstraZeneca could happen around the turn of the year.
"It isn't a totally unrealistic suggestion that we could deploy a vaccine soon after Christmas," said Van-Tam in a briefing to MPs last week, adding such a development would have a "significant impact on hospital admissions and deaths."
To bring life back to normal, countries, such as Britain, China, Russia and the United States are racing against time to develop coronavirus vaccines.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses