[ad_1]
Video report from ITV News correspondent Sejal Karia
The UK has recorded its largest daily increase in Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began with 53,135 positive tests.
The Health Department also confirmed that another 414 people died within 28 days of development. COVID-19, bringing the death toll from coronavirus in the UK to 71,567.
Separate figures released by UK statistical agencies show that more than 87,000 deaths involved coronavirus now they have occurred in the UK.
The total number of coronavirus cases in the UK has risen to 2,382,865.
But the death and case figures are likely to be higher, as Scotland did not release data on deaths between December 24 and 28, and Northern Ireland did not provide data on cases or deaths during that same period.
The latest figures come as NHS leaders warned of increasing pressure on hospitals and health experts have asked Tighter restrictions in an attempt to curb the rise in infections..
Dr Susan Hopkins, England Public Health Senior Medical Adviser, said the “unprecedented levels” of Covid-19 infection across the UK were of “extreme concern”.
“While the number of cases reported today includes some during the holiday period, these numbers are largely a reflection of a real increase,” he said.
“It is essential, now more than ever, that we continue to work together to stop the spread of the virus, reduce the rate of infection and protect the most vulnerable and the NHS.”
Hospitals across the country have said they are “at their most vulnerable” as coronavirus cases in the UK soared to a daily record.
At Queen’s Hospital in Romford, coronavirus patients must be treated outside in ambulances before entering the building.
A statement issued by Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, urged people to only contact ambulance services in case of real emergencies.
Magda Smith, Medical Director of the Trust, said: “London’s NHS is under significant pressure due to high rates of Covid-19 infection and non-Covid winter demands, with staff from all services doing an extra effort and we are opening more beds to care for the sickest patients.
“It is more important than ever that Londoners follow the government’s guidance and do what they can to reduce the spread of the virus.”
England
Another 365 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died at a hospital in England, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths reported in hospitals to 49,225, NHS England said on Tuesday.
The patients were between 26 and 101 years old. All but 12, ages 43 to 92, had known underlying health conditions.
The deaths occurred between December 12 and 28.
Another 11 deaths were reported with no positive Covid-19 test result.
Welsh
There have been another 2,510 coronavirus cases in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 144,425.
Public Health Wales reported another 33 deaths, bringing the total in Wales since the start of the pandemic to 3,416.
Further, A senior doctor has warned that a “massive” number of coronavirus patients is filling up Welsh hospitals and his colleagues are being “pushed to the limit.”
It comes after a Welsh health board issued a urgent appeal for help to care for coronavirus patients in their intensive care departments.
Scotland
Scotland recorded seven deaths from the coronavirus between December 25 and 29, Scottish government figures show.
With this measure, the death toll (of people who tested positive for the virus for the first time in the previous 28 days) rises to 4,467.
The Scottish Government noted that the registry offices have been closed on public holidays.
The figures showed that 1,895 new cases of Covid-19 were reported on December 29.
The latest statistics show that 122,786 people have tested positive in Scotland, up from 120,891 the day before.
The daily rate of positivity for the test is 14.4%, compared to 12.2% the day before.
There are 1,092 people in the hospital confirmed to have the virus and of these patients, 65 are in intensive care.
Scotland’s Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon said a “large number” of cases in Shetland are being monitored “very closely”, as are significant increases in Dumfries and Galloway and the borders.
The Prime Minister said: “Across Scotland, the message is that we really cannot be complacent in the face of the virus. That was always the case, but it is particularly the case now that we have this new, more rapidly spreading strain.”
While the number of people in hospitals and intensive care in Scotland is below peak levels in the spring, he said there is “no room for complacency.”
North Ireland
Another 14 people died after contracting coronavirus in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health said.
In the past 24 hours, there were 13 deaths, one of which occurred outside the reporting period, bringing the total death toll to 1,305.
Another 1,566 people tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections to 68,762.
There are 462 Covid-19 patients in Northern Ireland hospitals, 34 in intensive care and 24 patients on ventilators.
