Belgium facing 'tsunami' of Covid cases
The country is close to being overwhelmed as the number of cases soars, the health minister warns.
A further 18,804 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the UK, and 80 new deaths have been reported.
It takes the total case numbers to 741,212 and the total number of deaths, according to the government, to 43,726.
On Sunday, 16,982 new daily cases of the virus were recorded - up slightly from 16,717 on Saturday.
The number of new deaths is up from 67 reported on Sunday.
Also on Sunday, Wales recorded 950 cases, up from just 400 at the start of the month. Scotland recorded 316 cases - a drop of 851 positive cases from the day before. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland recorded 1,012.
Separate figures from the UK's statistics agencies show there have now been 58,500 deaths registered with COVID-19 mentioned on the death certificate.
The latest update came as stricter lockdown measures are being implemented across huge swathes of the UK to stem the spread of the disease.
Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed that his administration will impose a short, sharp "firebreak" to slow the spread of COVID-19 from Friday.
The increase in cases has strained health systems in worst hit areas, with hospitals in the Greater Manchester region struggling to meet the demand of coronavirus patients.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the situation across the country "remains perilous," particularly due to the rising rates in over-60s. Referring to the stricter measures, he said it was "unethical" to allow the virus to rise.
Worldwide, confirmed coronavirus cases have topped 40 million.
A further 18,804 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the UK, and 80 new deaths have been reported.
It takes the total case numbers to 741,212 and the total number of deaths, according to the government, to 43,726.
On Sunday, 16,982 new daily cases of the virus were recorded - up slightly from 16,717 on Saturday.
The number of new deaths is up from 67 reported on Sunday.
Also on Sunday, Wales recorded 950 cases, up from just 400 at the start of the month. Scotland recorded 316 cases - a drop of 851 positive cases from the day before. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland recorded 1,012.
Separate figures from the UK's statistics agencies show there have now been 58,500 deaths registered with COVID-19 mentioned on the death certificate.
The latest update came as stricter lockdown measures are being implemented across huge swathes of the UK to stem the spread of the disease.
Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed that his administration will impose a short, sharp "firebreak" to slow the spread of COVID-19 from Friday.
The increase in cases has strained health systems in worst hit areas, with hospitals in the Greater Manchester region struggling to meet the demand of coronavirus patients.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the situation across the country "remains perilous," particularly due to the rising rates in over-60s. Referring to the stricter measures, he said it was "unethical" to allow the virus to rise.
Worldwide, confirmed coronavirus cases have topped 40 million.
Speaking in the Commons this afternoon, the former Prime Minister expressed her concern over the state of the UK's security apparatus post-Brexit. She claimed neither Mr Gove, nor Boris Johnson had so far made reference to the matter amid the backdrop of the current talks. Despite her concern, Mr Gove dismantled her critique with a brutal three-point response.
Mrs May said today: "The Government seems resigned to the prospect of no deal but the one area they should not be resigned to the prospect of no deal, is in security.
"I note that neither you made reference to security today and nor did the Prime Minister to MPs on October 16.
"So will my right honourable friend confirm, if the UK leaves without a deal, the UK will no longer have access to crucial databases in order to catch criminals and terrorists?"
In response, Mr Gove insisted by having access to those databases and system post-Brexit, would mean the UK would still be bound to EU law and regulations.
JUST IN: Coronavirus map LIVE: New region faces Tier 3 lockdown
Mr Gove's statement came as UK and EU officials held further talks today in pursuit of a deal.
The Cabinet Office Minister had claimed Brussels must change its stance if a deal is to be reached.
He told MPs: "The conclusions of that council reaffirmed the EU's original negotiating mandate, they dropped a reference to intensive talks that has been in the draft and they declared that all, all future moves in this negotiation had to be made by the UK."
"There's no point in negotiations proceeding as long as the EU sticks with this position.
"Such talks would be meaningless and would take us no nearer to finding a workable solution."
Despite a breakdown in talks following the EU summit last Friday, Mr Barnier has declared his openess to carrying on talks to agree a deal.
He also declared the EU was prepared to discuss a wide rang of issues surrounding negotiations and indicated the two sides could discuss legal texts.
Ministers are considering putting the toughest coronavirus restrictions on areas including parts of the North East, South and West Yorkshire, and Nottinghamshire.
Downing Street said discussions were under way on whether the areas should go into England's highest COVID-19 alert level.
They could follow Lancashire and the Liverpool City Region - and potentially Greater Manchester too - on going into Tier 3.
The suggestion was not dampened by Downing Street on Monday, as coronavirus infections rise once again in the UK.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman revealed discussions about moving places out of the Tier 2 list were already going ahead with local politicians.
And one MP whose constituency could potentially be affected said he was "not that optimistic" they would escape fresh measures.
Barry Sheerman, who represents Huddersfield in the House of Commons, told YorkshireLive: "I hope against hope that we are not going to go into the third tier but I'm not that optimistic.
"And I still think it's inevitable that we have a circuit breaker over the half-term. I would rather that we have a short, sharp shock than not tackling it seriously."
York Central MP Rachel Maskell said several days ago: "I do not believe that the measures in Tier 2 will be sufficient to stop the spread of infections in our city."
Nottingham currently has the highest two-week case rate in Britain, with 1,310 per 100,000 people.
A decision may not be made on Monday, as the government could be trying to begin conversations early to avoid a repeat of the standoff with Greater Manchester.
There, local leaders have refused to consent on a move to Tier 3 until further financial support for workers and businesses that would be hit by the move has been promised by the government.
Ministers are keen to get their buy-in to increase the chance of compliance and increase effectiveness of the measures, but Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said he was "not just going to roll over at the sight of a cheque".
He said: "We've always said we'll put people's health first and we will do that, but health is about more than controlling the virus."
The European Union’s chief negotiator said he was prepared to finally begin work on a joint legal text after months of dithering. His move was seen as a major concession by the bloc, which has so far refused to discuss the 500-page trade deal until Boris Johnson offered surrendered in the rows over future fishing opportunities and state aid controls. Brussels insiders said Mr Barnier was given permission amid fears any prolonged delays in the wrangling over an EU-UK trade deal would see both sides run out of time.
In crisis talks with Lord Frost, the UK’s chief negotiator, Mr Barnier agreed to intensify the talks and work on legal texts.
Writing on social media, Mr Barnier said: “As stated by President von der Leyen on Friday, I confirmed that the EU remains available to intensify talks in London this week, on all subjects, and based on legal texts.
“We now wait for the UK’s reaction.”
Brussels sources said it was vital to resume negotiations in London this week if they are to conclude a deal before the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31.
One source said: “We don’t have the luxury to have this thing dragging on, we should get back to the substance as soon as possible.”
And European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic said the bloc was ready to on a “good agreement for both parties”.
The top eurocrat said: “It has to be a fair agreement for both sides – we are not going to sign an agreement at any cost.
“The European Union is ready to work until the last minute for a good agreement for both parties.”
He was in London for a meeting of the Brexit Joint Committee with Cabinet Minister Michael Gove.
The Commission praised progress made in finding solutions to ensure frictionless trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Sources said the EU offered to drop its demand for a de facto embassy in Belfast to monitor the implementation of the Northern Ireland border fix.
Under the offer, 15 EU customs officials would work with their UK counterparts to ensure the correct animal health checks are being carried out at airports and ports in the province.
Covid: What is a circuit-breaker?
