The number of new coronavirus cases in the UK has risen by 938 across 24 hours – the highest daily increase in confirmed infections since late June, the government has confirmed.
The latest figures from the department of health and social care (DHSC) brought the total number of cases since the beginning of the UK’s outbreak to 305,623.
The daily increase in cases is the highest confirmed figure since 26 June, part of a gradual upward trend in infections since the bulk of lockdown measures were eased in early July.
The DHSC figures also updated the number of people to have died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK to 46,210 as of 5pm on Sunday – up by nine from the day before.
Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have now been 56,400 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
It comes as the government admits the latest round of local lockdown rules have not yet been carried into law despite being brought into force four days prior.
Those living in areas of Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and east Lancashire have been the latest to see their ability to go about daily life curtailed, with a ban implemented to stop cross-household gatherings in homes or pubs.
However while guidance published on Friday stated that people from different households meeting in a private home or garden would risk a £100 fine, DHSC has confirmed it is yet to implement laws bringing the rules into force.
The department said it was trying to make the changes legally enforceable as soon as possible but insisted the rules still applied from 31 July. DHSC has declined to comment on what legal basis the rules were currently being enforced.
Meanwhile the mayor of London has hit out at the central government for not briefing him on alleged contingency plans to lockdown the entirety of the capital within the confines of the M25 motorway, which encircles the city.
First reported in The Sunday Times, the idea of using the orbital motorway as a barrier around the capital was allegedly floated in a “war game” session held by the prime minister last week.
In a letter sent to the PM from Sadiq Khan and the chair of London Councils, Peter John, the mayor said failing to include local authorities would lead to mistakes being made.
“It is with great surprise that we read in the Sunday papers that government held a critical exercise last week in which a major resurgence in Covid-19 infections in London was a central scenario,” the letter says.
“According to media reports, the plans included using the M25 as a quarantine ring – effectively sealing off the city.
“Our surprise is that such far-reaching contingency plans have been discussed and tested without the involvement or awareness of London’s government.
“This is clearly totally unacceptable and an affront to London and Londoners.”
Additional reporting by PA
