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The UK has recorded its biggest daily increase in coronavirus-related deaths since late April, and a record rise in cases for the second day in a row.
The death toll, 744, is the highest daily figure since April 29, and the increase in cases, 39,237, is the highest since the start of the pandemic.
It comes after 36,804 cases on Tuesday, which in itself was a record after overcoming Sunday high of 35,928.
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The total number of confirmed coronavirus Infections in the UK now stand at 2,149,551, while the number of deaths in the 28 days after a positive test has reached 69,051.
But this last figure rises to 79,349 if all deaths with COVID-19 on the death certificate.
Another 2,004 patients have been admitted to hospital with the disease, according to the latest government figures, bringing the current total to 20,917, close to the peak in spring.
The recent increase in cases has been largely attributed to a new and most contagious variant of the virus, known as VUI-202012/01, which has pushed the R number from 1.1 to 1.3.
And what Health Secretary Matt Hancock admitted was “very disturbing” news, another new strain, again even more transmittable. has also been identified in the UK.
It originated in South Africa and anyone who has recently returned from the country has been told to isolate themselves, and to stop incoming flights from the country, Sky News understands.
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Hancock also used Wednesday’s Downing Street press conference to announce that more areas of the UK would be mired in level 4 constraints of Boxing Day, in an effort to slow the spread of the disease.
Moving to Level 4 will be: Sussex, Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, the parts of Essex not currently covered by the stricter rules, Waverley in Surrey and Hampshire, with the exception of the New Forest.
Parts of the Southwest will also move to Level 3, including Somerset and Herefordshire, while Cornwall will move to Level 2.
If venues need to be moved up a notch again, Hancock said he would be “prepared to act incredibly fast.”
