Iran Press/Europe: It is the fifth day in a row the figure has broken 50,000 and brings the total number of positive tests in Britain to 2,599,789.
Another 445 COVID-19 deaths were recorded, meaning 74,570 people have now died from the bug in the UK since the start of the pandemic, The Sun reported.
Yesterday’s rise in cases is considerably bigger than it was last Saturday when 35,691 new cases were recorded.
The number of UK fatalities doubled
The number of fatalities reported in the last 24 hours is also almost double the figure seen a week ago (230). On December 31, infections grew by 55,892 – the nation’s previous record high.
But that same day, the UK recorded 964 deaths, more than twice the figure logged today.
The news comes against a backdrop of tough COVID restrictions, with almost all of England now living under Tier 3 and Tier 4 restrictions.
All primary schools in London will now remain shut for at least an extra two weeks after Christmas as cases spiral – with calls for schools across the country to follow.
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