Covid-19: UK records over 50,000 daily cases for first time in pandemic

29 December 2020, 16:58 | Updated: 29 December 2020, 22:03

Doctors are warning the NHS is close to breaking point.
Doctors are warning the NHS is close to breaking point. Picture: PA

By Joe Cook

The UK has recorded 53,135 new Covid-19 cases, a 11,750 increase on Monday's record setting figures, as Boris Johnson faces growing pressure to put the UK into a national lockdown.

This is the first time the UK has recorded over 50,000 cases in one day, since mass testing began. It is a significant increase on Monday's 41,385 cases and Sunday's 30,501.

The death toll has sadly also risen by 414, bringing the total number of deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test to 71,567.

Dr Susan Hopkins, Senior Medical Advisor for Public Health England, described the "unprecedented levels of Covid-19 infection" as "of extreme concern".

"Whilst the number of cases reported today include some from over the festive period, these figures are largely a reflection of a real increase," she explained.

"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."

Read more: Covid patients 'piling up at the door' as hospitals risk getting overwhelmed

The latest rise in cases comes as doctors across the country warn NHS hospitals are becoming overwhelmed amid a surge in Covid-19 patients.

Boris Johnson is set to chair a meeting to decide on which tiers regions should be placed in, with any changes announced in Parliament on Wednesday.

More areas are expected to be placed in tougher restrictions, as cases rise in all regions of England.

Some parts of the East Midlands, such as Northamptonshire and Leicestershire, could be moved up from Tier 3 to Tier 4, while other counties such as Lincolnshire and Derbyshire may stay in Tier 3.

In London, which is currently under Tier 4 restrictions, there were 808 cases per 100,000 population in the week up to 24 December, the latest data available.

Brentwood in Essex has the highest rate in the country of 1,419.1 per 100,000, meaning one in 70 people were infected in the week up to Christmas Eve.

Read more: London's Nightingale hospital 'remains on standby' despite staffing concerns

'The time has come to make everywhere Tier 4,' says GP

However, Professor Andrew Hayard, a member of the Government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), says a national lockdown is needed to prevent a "catastrophe".

The professor of infectious diseases epidemiology at University College London, said widespread Tier 4 restrictions - or even higher - are likely to be needed as the country moves towards "near-lockdown".

Similarly, the Independent SAGE group of public health experts are calling for the whole of the UK to be Tier 4, describing the situation as "critical" and "rapidly worsening".

Anthony Costello, ex-director of the World Health Organisation and member of Independent Sage tweeted: "53000 cases reported for the UK today. The government must speak and act now."

Read more: Primary, Year 11 and Year 13 pupils will return to schools next week despite Covid fears

Read more: 'Girl, 12, killed' after 6.4 magnitude earthquake rocks Croatia

Hospitals in England are now dealing with more Covid-19 patients than during the peak of the first wave, with figures showing there were 20,426 in NHS hospitals on Monday compared with 18,974 recorded on April 12.

Mervin Singer, professor of intensive care medicine at University College London, told LBC's Andrew Castle on Tuesday: “I've been doing intensive care for 30-odd years, I’ve never seen anything like we’re experiencing at the moment.

“Now we have the double whammy of sick people who don’t have Covid and this huge, huge surge of Covid patients who are incredibly ill and compounded by lack of staff - a lot staff members are going off sick and either having to isolate or there's a huge amount of burnout and stress - it’s completely unusual.”

Read more: Military to support mass testing of pupils in England schools

Read more: Second doses of Covid vaccine set to be given in UK for first time

Robert Halfon on the possibility of school closures in new year

Prof Singer said at some hospitals “huge numbers of patients are just piling up on the front door".

Triage tents normally reserved for major incidents like terror attacks could be set up outside hospitals overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients, a senior doctor has said.

Emergency medicine consultant Simon Walsh, who works in north-east London, said staff are working in "major incident mode" and called on the Government to set out a "coherent plan" to get through the coming weeks.

Read more: Russia admits Covid-19 death toll is three times worse than claimed

Meanwhile, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged people to stick to their own households over Hogmanny.

1,895 people in Scotland tested positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Tuesday, the highest daily total ever recorded in the country.

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

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Proud Boys claim they will go to voting places as Trump repeats election fraud lies.

Proud Boys making plans to mobilise as Trump repeats election fraud lies

File photo of a real NHS dentist

Desperate Brits fall for scam 'fake NHS dentists' amid years-long waits for appointments

The Kremlin is suspected of plotting the attack

'Parcel bombs' that blew up in warehouse were 'rehearsal' for Russian explosion attack on flight to US

Keir Starmer is not set to ban smoking in pub gardens, contrary to earlier reports

Cigarettes will not be banned in pub gardens under new Labour plan create 'smoke-free generation'

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Reading, Pennsylvania

Trump threatens Mexico with 100% tariffs unless it cracks down on border crossings

Bridget Phillipson told Tonight with Andrew Marr that the fee hike was necessary to secure the future of universities.

‘Universities must reform’ says education secretary after first hike in tuition fees in 8 years

Two more cases of a new strain of mpox have been detected in the UK, officials say

Two more cases of new mpox strain detected in UK

Anya Taylor-Joy and her musician husband were the victims of a terrifying robbery

Anya Taylor-Joy and musician husband victims of burglary at London mansion

Exclusive
Nigel Farage speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari about new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch

'The Remainers are back in town': Nigel Farage says Kemi Badenoch will bring 'no change whatsoever' to Tories

Amy Dowden

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden will not return to show this year following 'medical emergency'

Scott Paterson murdered his landlady Annette Smith

Tenant murdered and dismembered elderly landlady before posing as her by sending Christmas cards to family

Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel and Mel Stride will all serve in Kemi Badenoch's Shadow Cabinet

Kemi Badenoch names former leadership rivals Robert Jenrick and Priti Patel to Tory Shadow Cabinet team

Bridget Phillipson has confirmed the tuition fee rise

University tuition fees to rise for first time in eight years, as Tories accuse Labour of 'declaring war on students'

Sara Sharif had suffered dozens of injuries in the weeks leading up to her death, a court has heard

Video of Sara Sharif smiling and dancing 'days before murder' shown to court

Transport for London (TfL) has warned passengers that no Tube services are expected on Thursday 7 November

November Tube strikes to bring London to a halt this week despite RMT calling off action

Stuart Gogg during the Six Nations rugby match between France and Scotland in Saint-Denis, 26 February 2023

Former Scotland rugby captain pleads guilty to domestic abuse over five-year period against former partner