The UK has recorded 17,540 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours – 3,300 more than yesterday.
Nottingham now has the highest weekly rate of new cases in England after more than 2,000 cases were recorded in the city in one week – this is the equivalent of 689.1 cases per 100,000 people
A total of 77 deaths have been recorded in the UK within 28 days of a positive test, a rise from the 70 deaths reported on Wednesday.
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The number of coronavirus patients in England’s hospitals has also risen to 3,044 compared with 2,944 yesterday – the highest since 22 June.
One week ago, on 1 October, there were 1,995 hospital admissions, according to government data.
Public Health England (PHE) has expressed concern about rising hospital admissions.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director for PHE, said: “We are seeing a definite and sustained increase in cases and admissions to hospital.
“The trend is clear and it is very concerning.”
There have now been 58,000 deaths registered in the UK where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, according to separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the UK has reached “perilous moment” in coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking at the NHS Providers annual conference on Thursday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We are at a perilous moment in the course of this pandemic.
“I am very worried about the growth in the number of cases, especially in the North West and the North East of England, parts of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and parts of Yorkshire.”
Coronavirus patients in England hospitals has risen to 3,044
It comes as pubs and restaurants in coronavirus hotspots are set to face fresh restrictions after Downing Street said new data suggests there is “significant” transmission taking place in hospitality settings.
England is expected to be carved into three different lockdown tiers next week, with millions of people facing tougher restrictions – particular in northern England – as the government tries to get a handle on rising coronavirus cases and hospital admissions.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said: “We are seeing coronavirus cases rise across the entire country but they are rising faster in the North East and the North West.
“We are keeping the data under close review and we are considering a range of options to reduce the spread of the virus in order to protect communities and to protect the NHS.”
The latest numbers follow several days of confusion as around 16,000 cases in England were missed by the NHS Test and Trace scheme.