More than 53,000 people in the UK have tested positive for coronavirus in a day as the disease continues to surge.
As of 9am on Tuesday, there had been a further 53,135 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK – a new high – while a further 414 people have died within 28 days of testing positive.
The positive tests for Tuesday are around 12,000 higher than a day earlier – which was itself the highest daily total since the pandemic began.
Dr Susan Hopkins, senior medical advisor at Public Health England, said the “unprecedented levels” of Covid-19 infection across the UK was of “extreme concern”.
She said: “Whilst the number of cases reported today include some from over the festive period, these figures are largely a reflection of a real increase.
“It is essential, now more than ever, that we continue to work together to stop the spread of the virus, bring the rate of infection down, and protect the most vulnerable and the NHS.
“A critical part of this is each and every one of us abiding by the restrictions in place however hard it may seem at this time of the year. It is critical that we reduce our contacts especially mixing between households. We must observe the basic measures – wash your hands, wear a mask and keep your distance from others.”