UK records highest daily total of new Covid-19 cases

Another record high.

The United Kingdom recorded a further 57,725 cases of Covid-19 on January 2nd, its highest daily total since the pandemic first hit. There were also another 445 covid-related deaths recorded. https://twitter.com/PoliticsJOE_UK/status/1345402538577825794 All who died were between the ages of 27 and 100. If the numbers have become white noise, this graph from Public Health England might help to emphasise the severity of the situation. It's bad. Yvonne Doyle, the medical director for Public Health England, said: "These numbers are a stark reminder that, as we leave 2020 behind, we are not yet of of the woods - transmission is very high and many lives are still tragically being lost. "It is more important now than ever that we don't waste the huge sacrifices we all made last year - we must continue keeping our distance from others, washing our hands and wearing a mask to help stop the spread of the virus." As cases soar, the Teachers' Union has called on education secretary Gavin Williamson to close all schools and move to remote learning. Secondary school students' return to the classroom has been delayed by two weeks, but most primary schools are set to return as planned this week commencing Monday 4th January. “The NASUWT will not hesitate to take appropriate action in order to protect members whose safety is put at risk as a result of the failure of employers or the Government to ensure safe working conditions in schools and colleges," said NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach in a letter to Williamson. 3,576 new Covid cases were confirmed in Northern Ireland today, as well as 26 deaths. Similarly high case numbers expected in the Republic this evening.