Are we in grip of a surge in corona?
Cases rise by 3,000 – highest since May
HEALTH Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday spoke of his concern after the UK recorded nearly 3,000 new coronavirus cases – the highest since May 23.
There were 2,988 cases reported on Sunday – an increase of 1,175 on the previous 24 hours and the highest recorded for a single day since May 23.
Mr Hancock said that, while most infections were among younger people, the surge in cases threatened to spread across the population.
He urged everyone to ‘do their bit’ and continue following social distancing rules.
He stressed: ‘The rise in the number of cases that we’ve seen today is concerning.
‘The cases are predominately among younger people, but we’ve seen in other countries across the world and in Europe this sort of rise in the cases amongst younger people leading to a rise across the population as a whole.’
He added: ‘It’s so important that everybody does their bit and follows social distancing because it doesn’t matter how old you are, how affected you might be by this disease, you can pass the disease on to others. So don’t pass the disease on to your grandparents if you’re a young person. Everybody needs to follow the social distancing.’
Despite rising infection levels, deaths remain low, with the official toll increasing by just two to 41,551 and 124 more patients admitted to hospital.
There are currently 756 people in hospital with Covid-19, with 69 of them in ventilator beds.
The sharp rise in infections follows a leaked report that the virus has become endemic in parts of the country, leading to recent outbreaks. Public Health
England documents suggest the national lockdown failed to curb the spread of disease in parts of the North West which have high levels of deprivation and large black, Asian and ethnic minority communities.
Experts warned it was only a matter of time before localised outbreaks spread.
Paul Hunter, a public health specialist at the University of East Anglia, said ‘there was no doubt’ the UK was in the midst of ‘the next surge’.
He added that a combination of lockdown easing, which has seen increased travel, cafes and restaurants reopening, and the return to schools is likely to have contributed to the rise.
He said: ‘I think there’s no doubt that the UK as a whole is starting to see the epidemic accelerate again.
‘The figures for the last few days show it’s taking off, particularly around the hotspots.
‘It is very concerning. I think we’re now into the next surge. It is a pretty big jump, especially given today is Sunday. It’s exponential growth.’
Scotland recorded 208 new cases – its highest daily increase for more than 17 weeks – with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon saying the daily rise ‘reminds us again of the need to be very vigilant’.
Wales recorded 98 cases, its highest daily rise since June 30, and Northern Ireland 106 –its biggest increase since April 25. Since the start of the pandemic, 347,152 cases have been confirmed in the UK.
It comes as Bolton faces new restrictions with residents told not to mix with other households after the town’s infection rate became the highest in England. Cases have soared to 99 per 100,00 compared to places like North Norfolk which are reported to be virus-free.
‘Epidemic taking off again’