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The UK has recorded 55,892 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, the highest number on record.
Tuesday’s figure of 53,135 cases was the highest since the pandemic began.
The number of deaths reported today is 964.
Public Health England Medical Director Dr Yvonne Doyle made a passionate plea in response to the latest figures and before New Year’s Eve, urging everyone not to come out.
She said: “We know that the vast majority of deaths reported today are people who sadly passed away in the last few days.
“Every life lost to this disease is a sadness. It is imperative that we all take action now to protect our families and friends.
“We’ve all had to make huge sacrifices this year, but make sure to stay away from others, wash your hands, and wear a mask.
“A New Year’s Eve will mean that you are significantly reducing your social contacts and can help stop the spread of the virus.”
The 981 deaths reported on Wednesday was the highest number reported in a single day since April 24.
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It brings the total number of cases in the UK so far to 2,488,780 and the total number of deaths within 28 days of a positive test to 73,512.
Previously, it was revealed that the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 in England per week has increased by 33%.
A total of 232,169 people tested positive at least once in the week through Dec. 23, according to the latest figures from Test and Trace.
It came as people were warned not to add “fuel to the fire” as coronavirus cases rise in England and hospitals are under pressure due to the large numbers of COVID-19 patients.
Infection rates continue to rise across the country, according to the latest Public Health England weekly surveillance report.
In Northern Ireland, another 11 people died from COVID-19, the Health Department said, and another 1,929 tested positive.
Nightingale Hospitals in England are “gearing up” for its use if necessary as the number of COVID-19 patients increases.
The London NHS has been asked to ensure that the Excel center site is “reactivated and ready to admit patients” as hospitals in the capital struggle.
Other Nightingale hospitals in England include Manchester, Bristol, Sunderland, Harrogate, Exeter, and Birmingham.
The reopening of secondary schools and many primary schools in England has been delayed and universities are being asked to reduce the number of students returning to campus from the beginning of next month.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the government is “working as hard and as fast” as it can to get the vaccine recently approved by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca to the public, with the launch scheduled for Monday.
Another 20 million people were placed under stricter restrictions on Thursday after the government announced an extension of Level 4 rules in England in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The only part of England that is not at Level 3 or the highest level of restrictions at Level 4 is the Isles of Scilly at Level 1.
