The UK has reported 36,660 new Covid cases – the highest number since January.
Another 50 deaths were also recorded on Tuesday – up from six on Monday – while hospitalisations continue to rise dramatically.
With infections continuing to surge ahead of the delayed ‘Freedom Day’ on Monday, July 19, the latest figures will add to growing fears that the pandemic could spiral out of control again.
It comes as doctors branded the Government’s unlocking plan ‘irresponsible’, and amid warnings that the UK could see 200 daily deaths and 2,000 hospital admissions by mid-August.
The last time the UK recorded more daily cases than Tuesday was on January 22 – which was also the last time more than 40,000 infections were confirmed.
Today’s death toll is also the highest for some time – with 60 deaths on April 9 being the last total which was larger.
It is unclear how many of those whose deaths were confirmed today had been partially or fully vaccinated.
The number of people being admitted to hospital has increased by more than 50% in a week, after some 3,236 patients were admitted in the last seven days.
Meanwhile, vaccinations have dipped significantly compared with earlier stages of the rollout – though nearly 81 million jabs have now been administered in total.
The UK has recorded a total of 5,191,459 coronavirus cases since the pandemic began, as well as 128,481 deaths within 28 days of a positive test. Separate data suggests that Covid-19 has now been listed on more than 154,000 people’s death certificates in the UK.
Elsewhere, Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that Scotland would also ease restrictions on Monday – but rules on wearing face masks will stay in place ‘for some time’ there, unlike in England.
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