Covid infections in the UK hit a record high of 189,213 as another 322 deaths were reported


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In addition to the increasing number of cases, the number of Covid patients in England has risen again and has reached its highest level since February

The UK broke its daily Covid case record for consecutive days in December

In the UK, an additional 189,213 people became infected with Covid in the past 24 hours, marking another record day.

NHS England figures include data for Wales over a two-day period.

The latest data also says that 322 people died within 28 days of a positive Covid test.

NHS England said the steep increase in the daily death toll, which was up sharply from the 57 reported on Wednesday, included a backlog of deaths from December 24-29 that was not properly recorded during the holiday season.

That figure includes a backlog of hospital deaths for the period December 24-29, but is the highest daily death toll since March 2.

This is because the number of Covid patients in England rose to 11,452, the highest number since February 26th.

According to the NHS England, this is 61% more than a week earlier and 990 more patients than the day before.







Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales, has loaned four million LFTs to England as the country is facing a shortage
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Image:

Anthony Harvey / REX / Shutterstock)


In London, 3,477 people were hospitalized with Covid on December 30, up 66% from the week and the highest number since February 16.

Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford came to the aid of England today and has loaned four million lateral flow tests to the UK government as the country is suffering from a shortage.

He said: “Wales has a significant inventory of lateral flow tests that will be sufficient to meet our needs in the coming weeks.”

Brits have been unable to order PCRs or pick up LFTs from their local pharmacy in recent days, and on a call to Tory MPs, Health Minister Sajid Javid admitted the country was experiencing supply problems.







A general overview of the construction of a Nightingale “surge hub” at St. George’s Hospital in south west London
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Image:

PA)


To cope with skyrocketing hospital numbers, the NHS has begun setting up Nightingale “surge centers” in hospitals across England and preparing plans to expand morgues to include parking lots if necessary.

Work on a total of eight hubs, each of which could accommodate around 100 patients, should begin this week.

However, although case numbers and hospital admissions are increasing thanks to an accelerated refresher program and improved antivirals and treatments for patients in hospitals, death rates remain low.

Data transfers were suspended during the holidays, but death rates have been falling since late October and 143 people reportedly died on December 27, which is still trending before Christmas Day.

Similarly, the number of patients on mechanical ventilators has remained constant over the past month.







A woman gives a free Covid-19 rapid lateral current test kit to a passerby at a dispensing point on Hoe Street in Walthamstow, north London
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Image:

AFP via Getty Images)


England had 771 Covid patients on ventilators on December 29, more than on Christmas Day but fewer than the same day last month.

The concern is that the time lag between people contracting Covid and being hospitalized and then again before going to intensive care or death means the UK could face a sharp surge in people.

Among other things, Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to enjoy a “careful” New Year, saying party-goers should take a test before they leave.

At 8 a.m. on Wednesday, December 29, there were 10,462 confirmed Covid patients in English hospitals, the highest number since March 1.

At the beginning of December the number was still below 6,000.

While some of these patients will be in the hospital for non-Covid reasons, like a broken leg or a car accident, these cases are still making a big impact on the NHS.

This is because hospitals need to place Covid patients on Covid wards in order to isolate the virus, disrupt staff, and affect the care of these patients at their bedside.

The picture is different across the UK.







A sign on the door of the pharmacy in Dover, Kent, informs customers that no lateral flow test kits are available
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Image:

PA)


In Scotland, the number of hospitalized patients developed similarly to that in England, from 526 on Christmas Day to 679 on December 29th.

However, the number of hospital patients in Northern Ireland is lower than it was a month ago.

The data for Wales since Christmas has not been published on the government dashboard.

Omicron was the earliest to spread in London, and now the capital is seeing a sharp surge in hospital cases.

But hospital admissions are also increasing in all regions of the country.

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