UK Covid cases in highest day EVER with 55,892 infections and 964 more deaths
BRITAIN has seen its highest ever daily rise in coronavirus cases with 55,892 infections reported in the past 24 hours.
A further 964 deaths were recorded, bringing the total number of fatalities to 73,512.
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The rise in cases means a total of 2,488,780 Brits have now been infected with the bug.
Today's rise in deaths is only slightly smaller than yesterday’s figure of 981 - the highest daily toll since April - amid fears that the high toll may not be a lag in reporting, as was thought yesterday.
It comes as:
- A SAGE doctor today warned that a national lockdown is likely by the end of January
- London's Nightingale hospitals could be 'reactivated' after pictures showed the facilities empty
- Tier 4 lockdowns could last until April or even longer, Boris Johnson warned
- A doctor warned that members of the public flouting Covid rules have 'blood in their hands' amid a crisis in hospitals
- A string of illegal New Year's Eve raves are secretly planned across London, which is in Tier 4
It comes as English hospitals reported another 529 deaths in the past 24 hours.
Wales, meanwhile, recorded a further 65 deaths, taking the total since the start of the pandemic to 3,494.
Scottish health authorities also confirmed 68 further people had died, while another 11 patients passed away in Northern Ireland.
Figures showed that 106 of today's hospital deaths were in London as the crisis in English hospitals deepens.
The network, which covers 17 hospitals in London and Essex, reportedly said it was “beyond full” and “needs help” to cope with a shortage of nurses and rapidly depleting oxygen supplies.
Nightingale hospitals across England, which were previously empty, are now being "readied" for use if needed as Covid patient numbers rise.
The NHS in London has been asked to make sure the Excel centre site is "reactivated and ready to admit patients" as hospitals in the capital struggle.
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The surge in infections comes as three quarters of England was plunged into harsh Tier 4 restrictions last night to prevent the spread of the new variant getting out of control.