BRITAIN today recorded 32,548 daily Covid cases – the highest figure since January.
Deaths have increased by 33, bringing the total to 128,301.
Another 32,548 Covid cases were recorded today[/caption] 
It marks the highest increase in cases since January 23 when 33,522 infections were recorded.
And it’s a 100 per cent increase on the 16,135 infections reported two weeks ago. A total of 4,990,916 Brits have now been infected.
While cases have doubled in two weeks, hospitalisations have remained low – with another 386 people admitted in the past 24 hours.
It comes as:
- Double-jabbed Brits can fly from amber list countries without quarantining from July 19
- Self-isolation after a Covid contact will also end for those who have had both vaccinations – but not until August
- The UK is ‘running short on Pfizer’ as some second jabs are delayed, it’s reported
- A Wuhan virologist claims Covid originated in America and says ‘white supremacists’ are responsible for lab leak claims
- School bubbles will be scrapped when kids return to class in September
Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics show there have been 153,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
The number of Covid-19 patients in hospital in England stood at 2,144 as of 8am this morning, according to the latest figures from NHS England.
This is up 43 per cent on a week ago – and the highest number since April 10.
In the North West of England, the number of patients is currently 600, up 23 per cent week-on-week and the highest since March 30.
Brits line up at a Covid-19 testing centre in Plymouth, Devon[/caption]
The figures come as a minister admitted there could be more lockdowns in the future if Covid cases “flare up”.
In bleak news ahead of ‘freedom day’ on July 19, Kwasi Kwarteng said tough restrictions may come back into force in the future.
News that Brits may yet face national shutdowns comes as the country’s new Health Secretary says there’ll be 100,000 cases daily within six weeks.
England’s Chief Medical Officer has also spoken of his fears about an epidemic of long Covid cases – amid reports there could be 5,000 new cases of the prolonged illness every day.
Elsewhere, Boris Johnson today defended his policy on self-isolation despite warnings it will lead to millions of people forced to stay at home and cause major disruption for businesses.