Coronavirus: UK records 18,450 cases and 506 deaths in 24 hours

15 December 2020, 17:58

Thousands of new cases have been identified in the past 24 hours
Thousands of new cases have been identified in the past 24 hours. Picture: PA Images
Ewan Quayle

By Ewan Quayle

The UK has recorded another 18,450 coronavirus cases and 506 deaths in the past 24 hours.

It brings the UK total to 64,908 deaths - one of the highest in the world - and 1,888,116 cases.

Separate figures from other agencies show that, where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate, together with additional data on deaths, there have now been 81,000 deaths involving the virus in the UK.

Read more: Weekly coronavirus deaths fall for first time since September

Read more: Wales will 'not lightly put aside' Christmas plans ahead of four nations meeting

The number of cases has been steadily rising in recent weeks, despite the UK coming out of lockdown less than two weeks ago.

London and large parts of Essex and Hertfordshire will enter Tier 3 restrictions in an attempt to curb the number of infections and hospitalisations.

Jeremy Hunt: Whitty and Vallance need to make call on Christmas household mixing

It comes amid a growing row over whether households should be allowed to mix as planned over the Christmas holidays.

Many senior scientists, medical publications and politicians - including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer - have called on the Government to rethink their plan to ease restrictions.

Read more: Gove meeting with devolved nations to discuss relaxed Christmas Covid rules

Read more: Top medical journalist explains why PM must scrap Christmas Covid rules

Currently, measures will be loosened for five days between December 23 and 27 to allow up to three households to mix together.

Those within bubbles will be able to share Christmas dinner inside and even hug one another, as long as it takes place in a private home.

Government Minister says Christmas mixing is 'under review'

But a joint editorial piece in the British Medical Journal and the Health Service Journal demanded the Government ban the mixing of households this Christmas.

It warned that the NHS would struggle to cope with the number of Covid-19 hospital admissions in January as a result of gatherings.

Read more: What are the current Christmas coronavirus rules?

Read more: London Tier 3: Schools in Greenwich to stay open after Government legal threat

It is unclear whether the PM will change his mind on the issue, but Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove is meeting leaders of the devolved nations on Friday to discuss the issue.

Meanwhile, the Government is also coming under pressure to change its policy on school closures after it threatened Greenwich Council with legal action when it sent a letter to schools asking them to shut early for the Christmas holidays.

Listen & subscribe: Global Player | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Putin issued a chilling threat to the West as he confirmed Russia launched a ballistic missile against Ukraine

Putin issues chilling warning to UK and US as he confirms Russia hit Ukraine with new 'experimental' ballistic missile

Telegraph writer Allison Pearson.

Police drop investigation into journalist Allison Pearson over tweet - as review to be launched over handling of case

Exclusive
Angela Rayner has paid tribute to John Prescott

Angela Rayner says John Prescott 'used to call her after PMQs to remind her to stay true to who she is'

Four men have been arrested accused of attempting to rob a mobile phone store

Undercover police arrest four men after EE shop raided by masked gang

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Donald Trump Watches SpaceX Launch Its Sixth Test Flight Of Starship Spacecraft

Elon Musk pledges to fire civil servants who work from home

Seven-month-old baby mauled to death by family dog after leaning on animal while crawling, inquest hears

Seven-month-old baby mauled to death by family dog sustained 'catastrophic' injuries after leaning on pet, inquest hears

Starmer has backed the International Criminal Court over its arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Starmer backs International Criminal Court after it issues arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu

Five men charged over smuggling of migrants from UK to France in lorries

Five men charged over smuggling of migrants from UK to France in lorries following dawn raids

Rhiannon Skye Whyte was stabbed to death in Walsall

South Sudanese teen accused of murdering asylum seeker hotel worker with screwdriver 'refuses to appear in court'

Will Guyatt questions who is responsible for the safety of children online

Are Zuckerberg and Musk responsible for looking after my kids online?

Simone White has died following a poisoning with alcoholic drinks at a bar in Loas

British lawyer, 28, dies following suspected mass methanol poisoning at bar in Laos

Russia has claimed that Britain is directly involved in the war in Ukraine

Britain now 'directly involved in war in Ukraine', Russian ambassador to UK says

Finlay MacDonald is accused of trying to murder his wife Rowena

Jealous husband 'murdered brother-in-law and tried to kill wife' after finding text saying she planned to leave him

Teenager jailed for least 22 years after fatally stabbing motorbike enthusiast who named attacker in dying breath

Teenager jailed for at least 22 years after fatally stabbing motorbike enthusiast who named attacker in dying breath

Pie fortune heir Dylan Thomas, 24, has been found guilty of murdering his best friend William Bush (R)

Heir to £230m pie fortune found guilty of murdering his best friend on Christmas Eve