UK records 119,789 new COVID cases - highest daily figure since start of pandemic

The UK has recorded 119,789 new COVID cases in the latest 24-hour period – the highest daily figure since the start of the pandemic.

A further 147 coronavirus-related deaths have also been reported.

The latest daily figures compare with 106,122 cases – the previous record – and 140 deaths reported on Wednesday.

Yesterday’s 106,122 figure has since been revised up to 109,655 following previous under-reporting in Scotland due to a technical issue.

Last Thursday, the UK reported 88,376 new COVID cases, and 146 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test.

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However, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, which has been advising the government during the pandemic, has warned that COVID data over the Christmas period will be “significantly disrupted”.

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In minutes from a meeting on 20 December, the group warned that “testing behaviour and capacity limits may already be affecting case data”, which would make “interpretation of trends difficult”.

Meanwhile, a total of 840,038 booster and third doses of COVID vaccine were reported in the UK on Wednesday.

This is the lowest daily figure since 15 December.

More than 31.6 million booster and third doses have now been delivered in the UK, with 6.2 million in the past seven days.

Also, another 39,309 people have had their first dose, taking the total to 51,617,091.

And 53,154 have had their second shot, meaning 47,210,053 are now double jabbed.

Earlier on Thursday, new data from the Office for National Statistics revealed that COVID infection levels have reached a record high in the UK.

An estimated 1.4 million people in the UK had the virus in the week ending 16 December, the highest number since comparable figures began in autumn 2020, the ONS said.

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In separate figures, the UK Health Security Agency’s latest weekly surveillance report showed that COVID case rates are rising in every region of England.

London has the highest rate, with 1,732.6 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to 19 December, up significantly from 729.7 the previous week and the highest figure for London since comparable figures began.

Eastern England has the second highest rate at 1,027.7, up from 631.0. The North East has the lowest rate at 470.1, up from 386.1.

Despite the high levels of infection in the UK, Health Secretary Sajid Javid maintained that no further restrictions in England would be set out before Christmas.

Mr Javid said that people “should enjoy their Christmases with their families and their friends” but added they should “of course, remain cautious”.

The health secretary welcomed studies suggesting the Omicron variant may cause less severe illness than earlier strains, but he warned it could still lead to “significant” hospital admissions.

NHS national medical director Professor Stephen Powis warned that the health service is on a “war footing” as Omicron sweeps through the country.

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