UK Covid cases over 42,000 for third day in a row as deaths rise by 145 after ‘exceptionally difficult’ winter warning

THE UK has recorded more than 42,000 fresh Covid cases for the third day in a row.

A further 145 virus deaths were also reported - just 24 hours after Professor Chris Witty warned Brits face an "exceptionally difficult" winter ahead.

Today's 44,932 rise in infections brings the total since the pandemic began to 8,361,651.

The daily total is slightly below the 45,066 reported yesterday, but an increase on the 42,776 the day before.

The figure is also well above the 35,577 reported a fortnight ago on October 1, indicating a cold weather surge could be to come.

The increase in coronavirus fatalities means the UK's death toll now stands at a grim 138,379.

Covid deaths are hovering around the 150 mark, but there are fears this could on the way up.

The NHS is bracing for an "exceptionally difficult" winter even if Covid remains at bay.

Top doc Whitty said flu and other seasonal bugs mean medics will be swamped regardless of the pandemic. 

And he stressed that only a tiny amount has to go wrong with coronavirus for hospitals to buckle under a flood of cases.

In a bleak forecast, he said: "I wish I could claim that there's sunlit uplands and it'll be fantastic by Christmas - but sadly I'm afraid that is not the case."

It comes as...

• A Covid lab is suspended after false PCR results were sent out and 400k Brits were told to get re-tested
• Emergency Covid plans including masks, WFH and vaccine passports won't be triggered despite rising cases, says Health Sec
• A Covid test firm triples staff pay after landing hefty government supply deals
• Vaccinated holidaymakers will no longer have to take £75 PCR test from October 24
• Covid cases hit their highest daily figure since July
• People who take statins '12 per cent' less likely to die from Covid, research suggests

It also follows a harrowing warning from Professor Tim Spector, lead scientist on the ZOE Covid Study App.

He said the surge in young Brits being diagnosed with the virus during the UK's third wave could spell disaster for the NHS this winter.

"The UK seems to be slowly waking up to the fact that Covid cases are too high, but the reality is they’ve been soaring for months and many countries have put us on their red list," he said.

"Infections remain high in young people, and look to be spilling over into the 35 to 55 year olds.

"If these increases creep into the over 55s it could spell disaster for the NHS this winter."