UK records another 30,501 coronavirus cases, 316 deaths

Another 30,501 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 2,288,345, according to official figures released Sunday, reported Xinhua.

Another 316 have died within 28 days of a positive test, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain to 70,752, the data showed.

The reporting of cases and deaths has been affected by the Christmas holidays in some devolved regions and will be reported later on, which means the true number of total cases and deaths in Britain is likely to be higher.

The latest figures were revealed as scientists from the British government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) urged all regions of England to be placed in highest Tier Four restrictions, which require residents in the areas to stay at home, with limited exemptions. People are also urged to work from home when they can, and should not enter or leave those areas.

The group also argued that an emergency plan should be introduced to enable safe education in January and February as the mutated coronavirus strain in Britain seems to be infectious among children.

From Saturday, another six million people in England have been placed in the highest Tier Four restrictions, while Scotland and Northern Ireland started to also impose harsher measures on their citizens on Boxing Day. London and many other parts of England have already been under Tier Four restrictions.

For those in Tiers One, Two and Three areas, up to three households were allowed to meet only on Christmas Day, while in Tier Four, people should not mix with anyone outside their own household, apart from support bubbles.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States are racing against time to develop coronavirus vaccines.