Coronavirus cases rise by more than 2,000 for fifth day in a row as UK records 14 more deaths
Coronavirus cases in the UK have risen by a further 2,919, the fifth day in a row the number has been above 2,000.
A further 14 deaths were also announced bringing the total number of people who have died from COVID-19 in the UK to 41,608.
Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have now been 57,400 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
There were 2,988 new cases on Sunday, the highest daily increase since 22 May, with another 2,948 on Monday, 2,420 on Tuesday, and 2,659 on Wednesday.
Cases stayed below 1,900 each day last week.
On Wednesday, Boris Johnson announced a new law dubbed the “rule of six”, which limits the number of people who can meet at one time, in response to the recent rise in numbers.
He also announced new “coronavirus marshals” and more powers for the police to enforce the rules.
Johnson admitted it "breaks my heart" to have to bring in the restrictions and continue to limit people’s ability to enjoy their life.
The new law comes into force on Monday.
COVID-secure venues like places of worship, gyms, restaurants, and hospitality venues can still hold more than six in total, although groups should not mix with others.
Read more: The 13 exemptions when you can still meet up in groups of more than six from Monday
Also on Wednesday, England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said the number of coronavirus cases had been increasing “much more rapidly” over the past few days.
He pointed out the numbers among older people and children were low but in other age groups there had been “rapid upticks”.
Among 17- to 18-year-olds and 19- to 21-year-olds, the numbers had gone up significantly since mid-August.
Prof Whitty said data suggests Britain would be on a path “extremely similar” to France, where numbers have continued to rise in recent weeks, if we did not take action now.
New Test and Trace figures released on Thursday show that 9,864 new people tested positive for coronavirus in the week ending 2 September.
Read more: Matt Hancock jeered as he outlines plan to get ‘closer to normal before Christmas’
This represents a 43% increase on the previous week’s figure, when 6,732 tested positive – which marked a 6% rise from the week before that.
The current figure is the highest weekly number since the government’s Test and Trace scheme was launched at the end of May.
The stats also show almost 30% of people Test and Trace tried to contact were unable to be reached, significantly below the 20% target.
Dr Daniel Lawson, a lecturer in statistical science at the University of Bristol, said the figures showed that “the number of new cases will continue to rise rapidly”.
He added: “We must get the infection number per infection (R number) below one to prevent a large second wave which will be impossible to prevent reaching vulnerable populations.”
Coronavirus: what happened today
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