London, United Kingdom
United Kingdom, the epidemic is accelerating of covid-19 attributed to a mutation in the virus, recorded 53,135 new cases on Tuesday, a record number, according to a government assessment.
This increase brings the total number of cases recorded to 2,382,865 since the beginning of the pandemic, including 71,567 deaths (+414 announced on Tuesday).
“We continue to see record levels of COVID-19 infection in the UK, which is extremely worrying, especially as our hospitals are the most vulnerable,” said Susan Hopkins, senior public health adviser in England.
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These latest figures come as the government is under pressure to introduce tougher restrictions, including delayed return to school.
The UK is competing with Italy for the highest number of deaths from the disease in Europe and is now battling a new version of COVID that scientists say could spread faster.
For his part, the prominent epidemiologist advising the British government, Andrew Hayward, warned that Britain was heading for a “catastrophe” in the coming weeks, unless it took tougher action against the most infectious variant of the disease.
More than 24 million people, or 43% in England, already live under strict measures, such as staying home, closed bars, restaurants and pubs.