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The number of people testing positive for coronavirus in the UK increased by 4,422, the highest increase in more than four months.
Saturday’s figure is exactly 100 more cases than were confirmed the day before, meaning both are the highest since May 8.
Another 27 deaths of people with COVID-19 have also been registered, bringing the total to 41,759.
Experts warn that more infections are likely now due to the amount of coronavirus The tests available have increased dramatically since the pandemic began.
New cases notified on September 19 broken down by country:
- England – 3,638
- Scotland – 350
- Northern Ireland – 222
- Wales – 212
Fears are growing that daily infections could, within a few weeks, hit the March and April figures if the government does not take action.
Ministers are believed to be considering a temporary two-week “circuit breaker” in an attempt to break the chain of transmission.
The measure could lead to the closure of pubs and restaurants or face a curfew at 10 pm, with a ban on socializing between households.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing pressure to call a meeting of the government’s civil contingency committee, better known as COBRA, which deals with national emergency affairs, but has not met since May.
Millions of people are already living under local lockdown, with many more likely to follow after London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s warning that it is “increasingly likely” that new restrictions will be needed to stop the spread of the virus across the capital.
Meanwhile, the testing system is still under pressure, with people at hotspots complaining that they can’t get tested or are being told to travel hundreds of miles from home.
It will take weeks to fix, Health Secretary Matt Hancock admitted, after the head of Test and Trace claimed no one could have predicted the huge increase in demand partially caused by the total reopening of schools.
