LONDON (Reuters) – The British government reported 53,135 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, the highest number since major tests began in mid-2020 and up abruptly from the previous record of 41,385 set on Monday.
The number of new deaths registered within 28 days of a positive COVID test rose to 414 from 357 on Monday, bringing the majority since the onset of pandemic to 71,567.
Britain will travel with Italy for the highest death toll in Europe from the disease and is now battling a new version of COVID that scientists say could spread faster.
“We continue to see unprecedented levels of COVID-19 infection across the UK, which is particularly worrying given that our hospitals are among the most vulnerable,” said Susan Hopkins, senior medical consultant to Public Health England.
Hopkins said some of the daily rise in cases was due to delays in reporting due to Christmas, but the figures were “largely a reflection of real increases”.
Health Minister Matt Hancock will provide an update on regional coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, a chief epidemiologist advising the government, Andrew Hayward, warned that Britain was on the verge of a “catastrophe” in the coming weeks if it did not take tougher action against the opposite. more contagious of the disease.
Just under half of the population of England, based around London and the surrounding areas, is currently under the strictest form of COVID restriction. Under these rules non-essential shops and most other businesses are closed to the public, and almost all face-to-face socialization is prohibited.
But in most of Britain rules have been put in place to allow families to meet on Christmas Day, which many health officials said was causing a spike in COVID infections.
Reporting by David Milliken, Editing by Paul Sandle