Covid cases jump by 44% to highest level since early February

Cases are at their highest level since February (Picture: Metro)

The UK has reported a steep hike in Covid cases, with 16,135 new infections in the latest 24 hour period.

It’s the highest daily case-toll the country has seen since February 6, when 18,262 were announced.

Case numbers have increased by 43.9% in the last seven days, compared to the week before.

Another 19 deaths and 211 hospital admissions have also been reported in the latest update.

It comes despite experts saying the country’s third wave was turning out to be ‘more of a bump’.

In more positive news, six in 10 adults in the UK are estimated to have received both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, latest figures show – an achievement vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said was ‘extraordinary.’

Also reacting to the news, Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: ‘With more and more evidence emerging on just how effective two doses of our vaccines are in protecting against the Delta variant, it’s great to see three in five adults have been double jabbed, so we’re well on our way to the whole country getting the fullest possible protection.

There’s been a steep rise in Covid cases (Picture: Getty)

‘We’re so close now to ensuring the entire adult population is protected – now everyone aged 18 and above can make an appointment, so make sure you book in for your first and second doses as soon as possible.’

Meanwhile Scotland has recorded its highest ever daily total of new cases and the most deaths since April.

Wednesday’s figures show 2,969 new cases and five deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours – higher than the 2,649 cases in one day at the height of the winter peak.

Writing on Twitter, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said if Covid-19 restrictions are to end on August 9 as planned, ‘we should take this increase seriously’.

She stressed that vaccines are breaking the link between illness and death and ‘around 5% of cases are admitted to hospital now’.

But she cautioned that ‘5% of a large number of cases will still put huge pressure on NHS and cause suffering and loss’.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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