The UK has recorded 23,511 new COVID-19 cases and 131 more coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period, according to government data.It is the seventh day in a row that the number of infections has fallen.
It takes the total number of people who have died in the UK within 28 days of a positive COVID test to 129,303. Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that since the pandemic began there have been 154,000 deaths registered in the UK where coronavirus was mentioned. It has been the highest number of daily deaths since March amid the coronavirus pandemic. The 141 more deaths have brought the total to 129,303. Meanwhile new infections have continued to dip daily, with the UK recording ONLY 23,511 NEW Covid cases. The UK is battling a surge in COVID-19 cases, attributed in part to the ultra-infectious Delta variant. Thursday’s figures represent a significant increase on Wednesday, when 49 people were reported dead within 28-days of a positive coronavirus test. In total Britain recorded 48,553 new coronavirus cases, up from 42,302 on Wednesday.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director at Public Health England (PHE), said: “Rates are still high and the pandemic is not over yet, today we have recorded the highest number of deaths since March.
“This is in part due to the high number of cases recorded in recent weeks. We know deaths follow when there are a high number of cases and data today highlights we are still in the third wave.” She continued: “We can all help. Meeting outside is safer than inside, get two doses of the vaccine as soon as you can and isolate if you are told to by NHS Test & Trace. If you show symptoms, stay home and get a PCR test. Limiting your contacts is the best way to stop the virus spreading.” Today’s figures compare with 24,950 infections and 14 deaths reported yesterday, while 46,558 cases and 96 deaths were announced this time last week. SAGE member Professor Mark Walport admitted “everyone’s scratching their heads a little bit as to exactly what the explanation is”, while other scientists have urged caution. And Dr Duncan Robertson, an expert in COVID-19 modelling and analysis, said we should be looking at the positivity rate (or percentage of tests coming back positive) – which remains “very high” and could indicate not enough testing is being carried out.