UK spike as coronavirus daily cases soar by 2,988 in biggest rise since May

Official data shows deaths remain low amid surge in new infections

The number of daily coronavirus cases in the UK has jumped by 2,988, according to government figures.

The increase, up from 1,813 new cases on Saturday,  is the biggest 24-hour spike since 23 May, when the UK was in lockdown. 

However,  government data showed that the number of fatalities had remained at a low level, with two reported deaths recorded on Sunday within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test.

It is unclear what has caused the surge in cases, which comes days after schools reopened across England and a number of areas were added to the government’s Covid-19 watchlist.

Leeds, South Tyneside, Corby, Middlesbrough and Kettering were added to the list of “areas of concern” on Friday following increases in confirmed infections.

Officials have stressed in recent days that the rise in cases has come amid a rise in the number of tests carried out each day.

On Sunday, Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon sought to reassure the public after the country recorded its highest number of daily cases since May, with 208 confirmed infections.

“Comparisons with earlier in the year need a bit of context – back then, we were testing far fewer people and mainly those in hospital, so reported case numbers then were likely to have been a much bigger underestimate of true prevalence,” Ms Sturgeon said.

Professor Devi Sridhar, a public health expert at the University of Edinburgh, warned on Sunday morning that the return of schools alongside a push to get workers to return to offices risked overwhelming the UK’s test and trace system.

“I'm a little bit worried about the back-to-office push alongside the back to school push,” Prof Sridhar, who is also an adviser to the Scottish government, told Sky News.

“What we've seen in Scotland over the past few weeks is the testing system has just been really having to race to catch up with the demand of all the children coming home with coughs and colds and fevers."

She added: “If you add on top of that all the adults going back into offices, and having those as well, your testing system is really under strain.

“So you have to get ready and get your testing system going so people get the results fast enough and the tracing teams can get going.”

Additional reporting by PA