Highest daily rate of cases since June

Britain has recorded its highest daily total of coronavirus cases for nearly three months, adding to fears that a second wave is imminent. The toll of 1,522 new infections is the biggest since June 12, three weeks before ministers lifted restrictions on pubs and restaurants. The total threatens to dash hopes that the steady increase in infections was finally under control. However, sources put the sudden rise down to specific isolated outbreaks in factories and other workplaces.

BRITAIN has recorded its highest daily total of coronavirus cases for nearly three months, adding to fears that a second wave is imminent.

The toll of 1,522 new infections is the biggest since June 12, three weeks before ministers lifted restrictions on pubs and restaurants. The total threatens to dash hopes that the steady increase in infections since the lifting of lockdown was finally under control.

However, sources at the Department of Health put the sudden rise in cases down to specific isolated outbreaks in factories and other workplaces, rather than a more widespread trend.

At least 40 outbreaks have been reported in food processing plants, including a Gregg’s distribution site in Leeds and a chicken factory in Norfolk where 75 staff have tested positive. The new figures threaten to reignite doubts over the reliability of government data, coming just hours after NHS Test and Trace announced the first weekly decrease in positive cases for six weeks.

The programme, which aggregates testing data from hospitals, mobile testing sites in the community and home kits, recorded 6,115 positive results in the week up to Aug 19. The total was down 7.6 per cent on the previous seven days, despite a 2 per cent rise in the number of tests carried out.

Despite the rise in new infections, officials announced only 12 new deaths yesterday. This could mean that younger people are predominantly driving the rise in new infections.

Ministers and officials can access real-time data on the location of every new case, and today Matt Hancock, the

Health Secretary is expected to announce highly targeted increases in restrictions in a small number of areas including Swindon. Local lockdowns are expected to be eased slightly, with the majority of lockdown measures remaining the same.

One government source said: “It’s too early to say whether this rise is part of trend. However, we know increases are happening in the rest of Europe which is why local lockdowns are so important. We’re seeing numbers fall in the lockdown areas but there have been isolated outbreaks elsewhere.”

Meanwhile, council leaders in locked-down areas of the North have warned that their residents’ patience is “wearing thin” with social distancing rules. Visits between households are largely banned, but people are still permitted to go to the pub.