Another 15,166 test positive for coronavirus and 81 more people die
Another 15,166 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK in the past 24 hours, while 81 more people died.
The daily jump is a rise on yesterday when 13,864 new infections were reported, but is lower than on Thursday when more than 17,500 people tested positive.
It means 590, 844 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus since the pandemic began, while the death toll stands at 57, 347.
The Department of Health figures come as swathes of northern England gear up for stricter measures on Monday, when Boris Johnson is expected to unveil a new three-tier lockdown system.
Pubs, bars and restaurants are expected to be forced to shut in areas with the highest coronavirus cases, including Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle.
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Today leaders in the north warned the plan would result in ‘economic catastrophe’ and said Downing Street has provided ‘insufficient’ help for affected regions to cope with the financial fallout of the closures.
On Friday Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a new Job Support Scheme that will see the Government cover two thirds of employees wages if their place of work is forced to shut.
Many in the hospitality industry reacted angrily to the support package, saying it does not go far enough.
In further developments today economists said that there is little evidence to support Government claims that 30% of coronavirus cases are fuelled by pubs and restaurants.
Experts from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) free-market think tank, said figures presented by professor Chris Witty at a briefing to MPs was based on a sample size of fewer than 100 hospitality venues.
As well as the small sample size, the IEA told ministers that less than 5% of people contacted by the NHS Test and Trace app had been in contact with someone at a hospitality venue.
Aong with many MPs the Institute pointed out that closing pubs and restaurants in Bolton and Leicester had not slowed the spread of coronavirus, with Bolton’s cases rising by 39% this week and Leicester’s rising by 35% this week despite the closures.
Coronavirus infection rates fell in just three places in England over the past week.
Critics of the Government have blamed spiralling infections on failures in the track and trace system and mixed messaging.
Today the British Medical Association published a list of recommendations to reduce the spread of the virus, including mandatory face make usage outside and in all places of work.
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