UK records 35,928 new Covid cases as mutant strain causes rise in infections

UK records 35,928 new Covid cases as mutant strain causes rise in infections of nearly 95% compared to last Sunday – as death toll increases by 326 taking total number of victims to 67,401

The UK has reported a further 35,928 coronavirus cases today as the mutant Covid strain causes a 94.8 per cent rise in infections.

The spike in positive tests puts today’s figure at nearly double the 18,447 recorded last Sunday.

Official figures also revealed 326 more people have died after testing positive for the virus – more than double the 144 deaths reported this time last week.

The 126 per cent rise in daily deaths comes after London and vast swathes of the home counties were thrust into a brutal Tier 4 lockdown due to a mutant Covid strain running rampant in the south. 

That bracket includes closing non-essential shops and travel restrictions including ‘stay at home’ order for Christmas Day itself, even though Mr Johnson insisted just days ago that five-day festive ‘bubbles’ would go ahead.

The UK has reported a further 35,928 coronavirus cases today as the mutant Covid strain causes a 94.8 per cent rise in infections

Official figures also revealed 326 more people have died after testing positive for the virus - more than double the 144 deaths reported this time last week

Official figures also revealed 326 more people have died after testing positive for the virus – more than double the 144 deaths reported this time last week

The extraordinary U-turn has caused outrage among families that have already made plans, booked travel and bought food for reunions, with many taking to social media to vent their fury.

The move also gave Britons just eight hours to complete their gift shopping last night ahead of Christmas Day.

Shoppers descended on London’s high streets in their droves, with pictures showing Oxford Street and Regent Street flooded with panic buyers late into the night.

But the first day of Tier 4 was a totally different story – with the jam-packed streets of yesterday evening looking nearly deserted today.

Wales was also thrust into a full lockdown from midnight last night – forcing all non-essential shops to close their doors and slashing Christmas bubbles to a single day.

Pictures today emerged of a Sainsbury’s supermarket in Pontypridd which blocked off non-essential sections of the store – including clothing and Christmas decorations – to customers.

Even with the last-minute rush for presents, there was a 26 per cent drop in footfall in London and the south east compared to last year.

Overall, 44 per cent fewer Britons took to the country’s high streets than last year on the last Saturday before Christmas.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk