Coronavirus cases rise by 3,497 in biggest Saturday increase in four months with nine deaths - The Sun

ANOTHER 3,497 people have tested positive for coronavirus overnight in the highest Saturday rise since May as new cases in the UK continue to soar.

Nine more people have also lost their lives to the deadly bug - as Britain's grim tally rises to 41,623.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

8

Nine more people have died with coronavirus in the UK

8

Cases remain high as another 3,497 people tested positive for the deadly bug

Yesterday's rise in new cases - 3,539 - was the highest recorded on any day since May 17.

The news comes ahead of Monday's stricter lockdown laws, which will see groups limited to just six people.

Officials are reinstating draconian measures amid fears the virus is rising out of control.

Eight people who had tested positive for Covid-19 have died in hospitals in England.

Patients were aged between 61 and 91, and all had known underlying health conditions.

In both Scotland and Wales, no new deaths have been recorded.

However, in Scotland, daily coronavirus cases have also hit a four-month high, with total of 221 people testing positive - the highest daily figure since May 8.  

The figures for Northern Ireland aren't yet available.

The discrepancy in the figures is based on when they were recorded.

The Department for Health figure for the UK also takes into account deaths that occurred outside hospitals, for example in care homes and other settings, in the past day.

It comes as:

A top academic says he fears the spike in cases is down to the success of Rishi Sunak's Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

More than 100million discount meals were claimed during the popular initiative - but there has since been a "rapid acceleration" in coronavirus cases.

That's according to a new report by Oxford University researcher Toby Phillips, which says the scheme could have "encouraged extravagant levels of eating out".

The report claims eateries had already almost recovered from lockdown when the scheme began.

It was published after it was revealed this week that the crucial R rate soared to 1.7, with Matt Hancock warning the rise – which he says is fuelled by young Brits - justifies the strict new rule of six.

Ministers also announced a partial lockdown in Birmingham and two neighbouring boroughs yesterday.

The shutdown affects more than 1.6million people.

There are fears millions of people living in Newcastle, Leeds and Merseyside will be the next affected by stricter lockdowns.

Areas including Sunderland have been added to the Government's virus 'watch list'

8

Some of the areas on the list will see increased intervention, including more testingCredit: PA:Press Association

Matt Hancock this week blamed younger Brits for a spike in the country's number of coronavirus infections

People have been urged not to get carried away before strict new lockdown laws come into force on Monday

The areas are among the coronavirus hotspots added to the Government's watch list.

A ban on households mixing indoors remains in place across Greater Manchester and parts of West Yorkshire.

In a bid to halt the rising number of new cases, everyone in England has been ordered to comply with stringent new measures from next week.

The PM all but cancelled Christmas after saying the restrictions could go on for six months.

And he announced plans to spend £100BILLION on Operation Moonshot, which could see every Brit in the UK getting a test.

It's understood the PM is also considering new proposals that will see those who flout self-isolation advice hit with fines - while people can shop those who don't comply via a new 'quarantine hotline'.

Meanwhile, coronavirus infections have surged among middle-aged Brits as vases in over-50s rocketed by 92 per cent last week.

Senior government officials have said the rise in cases in higher risk groups is "worrying" as Downing Street looks to stem the spread of the bug heading into the winter.

BAD PENNY

Struggling woman short of penny for shopping stunned as shoppers offer no help

'YOU'RE RUINING SPOONS!'

Wetherspoons chef shows how they really make curry and breakfasts

'WORRYING SIGNS'

Covid spike in middle-aged Brits as over-50s cases rocket by 92 per cent

WATCH OUT

Newcastle, Leeds & Merseyside among 9 Covid hotspots at risk of local lockdown

RAPE HELL

Uncle of 'gang raped' Brit girl 'told not to call cops because he'd ruin party'

SHORE PATROL

Wedding DJ behind vigilante mob of 20 'patrolling' Channel for migrant boats

Yvonne Doyle, medical director of PHE, said of the rise in cases among over-50s: "Although younger people continue to make up the greatest share of new cases, we're now starting to see worrying signs of infections occurring in the elderly, who are at far higher risk of getting seriously ill."

Until Friday, coronavirus cases had predominantly been rising among under-25s - who are statistically at far less risk of severe health complications from contracting the virus.

But the new spike in infections in older-age groups has also resulted in an increase in hospital admissions, which were up 20 per cent last week compared with the week before among those aged 60 to 75.

8

Younger Brits make up the greatest share of new cases - but health chiefs have warned of 'worrying signs of infection occurring in the elderly'Credit: Matthew Horwood

Experts have warned the UK's R rate may be as high as 1.7

Hundreds forced to queue for 'FIVE HOURS' for coronavirus test at Bury NHS walk-in centre

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiUmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZXN1bi5jby51ay9uZXdzLzEyNjUxOTYzL3VrLWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWNhc2VzLXJpc2UtMzQ5Ny1uaW5lLWRlYXRocy_SAVZodHRwczovL3d3dy50aGVzdW4uY28udWsvbmV3cy8xMjY1MTk2My91ay1jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1jYXNlcy1yaXNlLTM0OTctbmluZS1kZWF0aHMvYW1wLw?oc=5

2020-09-12 15:18:47Z
52781055569450