UK Covid cases see biggest ever daily rise with 35,928 infections and 326 deaths as positive tests double in a week

UK CORONAVIRUS cases have today seen their biggest daily increase yet - doubling in just a week.

A shocking 35,928 infections were recorded in the past 24 hours as a new, highly contagious strain of Covid-19 forced almost 20million Brits into lockdown overnight.

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The new stats released today also recorded another 326 fatalities - double the 144 deaths reported last Sunday. The UK's grim death toll now stands at 67,401.

So far, the UK has recorded a total of 2,040,147 infections - with the rate showing little signs of slowing with Christmas just days away.

And today's figures show a 95% increase on last Sunday's daily infection figures that saw 18,447 cases recorded.

Boris Johnson last night introduced new draconian measures in an attempt to stop the spread of a coronavirus after a new strain of Covid-19 was discovered.

It comes as...

• About 20million Brits were plunged into Tier 4 lockdown overnight as a new strain of highly infection coronavirus was discovered
• Fears emerged the mutated form of the bug has already spread to other regions in the UK
• Matt Hancock today warned London and the South East could be trapped in Tier 4 for months until a vaccine takes hold
• A string of countries including Italy and Holland banned Brits from flying in over fears of spreading the new strain
• Supermarkets urged shoppers not to panic buy as the new lockdown cam into force

It is feared the new variant is 70% more infectious - possibly increasing the R rate by 0.4.

And nearly 20million people had their Christmas plans cancelled last night as Tier 4 was brought in - with locals told to act like they have the virus if living in the lockdown areas.

In Scotland, another 934 new cases were reported along with three more deaths.

In Wales, another 2,334 new cases were reported today while another 69 fatalities were recorded.

In Northern Ireland, another 505 new infections were recorded along with another 13 deaths.

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Matt Hancock this morning admitted the November lockdown "did not work" to control the new rampant strain of coronavirus.

And he said it would be “very difficult” to keep the deadly bug under control without the vaccine having been widely administered after the new strain emerged.

The Health Secretary today warned London and the South East could be trapped in Tier 4 for MONTHS until the vaccine takes hold.

And Mr Hancock admitted it was an “awful end to an incredibly difficult year.”

He added: “Everybody has been really looking forward to (Christmas) after all the sacrifices that have been made but unfortunately this virus, the new strain, was out of control.”

But he insisted the government needed to act after being presented with the scientific evidence over the new, more contagious strain.

Under Tier 4 regulations, millions told their family get-togethers had to be axed with overnight stays banned under law.

No Christmas bubbles will be allowed in the strict tier.

Even those in the lower tiers will not be allowed to form festive bubbles, except for Christmas Day.

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But the city's stations were described as "war zones" as locals skipped town before the tough new Tier 4 lockdown came into effect at midnight.

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Professor Chris Whitty last night begged people to stay at home yesterday evening as the rules were unveiled, warning: "If you have packed a bag, unpack it."

Yet within hours there were long queues of traffic on roads out of London and chaotic crushes at railway terminals as people fled to avoid the brutal new restrictions.