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The UK has recorded 744 more deaths, the highest daily figure since last spring, along with more than 39,000 new coronavirus cases, the highest number so far.
The government said another 744 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday, bringing the UK total to 69,051.
It is the highest number of deaths reported in a day since April 29 during the first peak of the virus.
Separate figures released by UK statistical agencies for deaths where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate, along with additional data on deaths that have occurred in recent days, show that there have now been 85,000 Covid-19 related deaths in the UK.
It is the highest number of deaths reported in one day since April 29.
/ fake images )The government said that, as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, 39,237 more laboratory-confirmed coronavirus cases had been recorded in the UK, the highest number reported in a single day during the entire pandemic.
It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 2,149,551.
It comes as the government implemented a travel ban for passengers arriving in England from South Africa after two cases of another new strain of Covid-19 linked to the country were identified in the UK.
Starting at 9 a.m. From Christmas Eve, visitors arriving in England who have been to or have transited South Africa in the previous 10 days will not be allowed entry and direct flights will be prohibited, the Department of Transport said.
The ban excludes cargo and freight without passengers, and does not include British and Irish nationals, visa holders and permanent residents, who will be able to enter but must self-isolate for 10 days along with their home.
