The UK has recorded 7,143 new coronavirus cases its highest ever daily total. The figure is 269 more than the previous high of four days ago and three thousand higher than yesterday when the figure was depressed because testing is generally down at the weekend.
The country has meanwhile recorded 71 new deaths taking the total figure to 42,072.
The news comes as Ministers have been urged to impose a two-week “circuit breaker” lockdown in Liverpool in an attempt to slow the spiralling rate of infection, by the City’s Mayor.
Joe Anderson said it should be the first city to be placed under a more stringent lockdown in an attempt to get coronavirus cases under control.
Meanwhile the The Prime Minister has apologised after he failed to clarify the new local lockdown measures for large parts of the North East during a press conference.
Boris Johnson said he “misspoke” when he was asked to explain the new rules confusing the rule of six with the increased social restrictions that come into effect in the North East.
There has been a small rise in the number of coronavirus patients in hospital in England on mechanical ventilation,259, up from 245 yesterday. But the overall number of coronavirus patients in hospital in England is down
The Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told the House of Commons that university students will be allowed to return home for Christmas, but some may need to self-isolate before they do so.
