Covid: More than 50,000 coronavirus cases reported in a day for the first time since July
The number of Covid-19 cases reported in a day continues to rise in the UK, with the latest figure surpassing 50,000 for the first time since July.
The government recorded 52,009 new infections in the latest 24-hour period.
The last time figures exceeded that number was on July 17, two days after almost all coronavirus restrictions were lifted on 'Freedom Day'. With 54,674 new infections reported that day, July 17 was the fourth peak for Covid cases, although deaths remained relatively low.
Meanwhile, the number of Covid-related deaths reported in the latest 24-hour period dipped to 115.
On Tuesday, the UK reported the highest number of coronavirus deaths in a day since March - 223.
Coronavirus deaths are recorded as such when a person dies within 28 days of testing positive - but they are not always reported by the government on the same day the person died.
ITV News Health Editor Emily Morgan meets some of the patients in hospital with Covid, as the government sticks to 'Plan A'
There are concerns over the rise in coronavirus cases in the UK, with the health secretary admitting on Wednesday that cases could soon rise to 100,000 a day.
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson was adamant the government will be sticking with its winter plan - to push those who haven't had the jab yet to get one and giving booster doses to those who had a second jab earlier in the year.
Mr Johnson said the government is "watching the numbers carefully every day".
But some top doctors are advising leaders to implement Plan B immediately - which could include legally mandating face masks in some settings, introducing vaccine-only NHS Covid Passes and asking people to work from home.
Downing Street previously said that winter would be “challenging” when questioned about rising coronavirus rates.
The rise in cases has also prompted Morroco to ban travellers from the UK entering the country.
The number of coronavirus cases have been creeping up in the past month, with the weekly reported number of cases rising 30% in four weeks.
And the weekly reported number of deaths has risen nearly 21% in three weeks.
The UK's Covid death toll is now at 139,146 and the total number of infections stands at 8,641,221 since the start of the pandemic.
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England
England reported 66 more Covid-related deaths and there were 44,363 more cases reported in 24 hours.
The country has had a total of 121,432 Covid deaths and 7,347,703 positive tests since the start of the pandemic.
Wales
There were 13 more Covid deaths in Wales, authorities reported on Thursday, bringing the nation's death toll to 6,063.
Meanwhile, there were 4,240 new Covid cases, bringing the total number of positive tests to 412,534.
Scotland
Authorities in Scotland reported 32 more Covid deaths and 2,355 more cases of the virus.
The nation has had a 9,012 coronavirus-related deaths so far and the total number of infections stands at 617,536.
Northern Ireland
There were four more Covid deaths reported in Northern Ireland, bringing the death toll to 2,639.
And there were 1,051 more infections reported in the latest 24-hour period, bringing the total number of cases to 263,448.