Coronavirus: UK records another 13,864 COVID-19 cases and 87 deaths
More than 575,000 people have caught coronavirus and, with case numbers rising, further lockdowns restrictions are thought likely.
Friday 9 October 2020 19:52, UK
The UK has announced another 13,864 coronavirus cases and a further 87 deaths in the latest daily update.
It brings the total number of positive tests during the pandemic to 575,679, while more than 42,000 people have died within 28 days of a positive test result.
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Nottingham has the highest rate in England, with the weekly rate of new COVID-19 cases climbing even higher - 760.6 cases per 100,000 people. That is a a huge jump from 158.3 per 100,000 in the seven days to 29 September.
The figures are based on Public Health England data published on Friday afternoon.
Nottingham remains well ahead of the area with the second highest rate in England, Knowsley, which is now on 657.6 cases per 100,000.
Liverpool - where the rate has also increased sharply, from 419.0 to 599.9 - is in third place.
The rates are highest in the North West, North East and Yorkshire and for 20-29 year olds (199.5 cases per 100,000).
In the latest week, cases positivity was 6.7%. WHO recommends a rate below 5% is needed to keep an epidemic under control.
It has also emerged that the UK's coronavirus reproduction (R) number has decreased slightly to a maximum of 1.5.
The government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) said it is now between 1.2 and 1.5 - down from between 1.3 and 1.6 last week.
It means that for every 10 people infected, another 12 to 15 are likely to get the disease.
There are 3,660 COVID-19 patients in hospital, according to the government dashboard, 436 of whom are receiving ventilation treatment.
The daily number of admissions is 597.
It comes as the chancellor announced that two thirds of the salaries of staff in pubs, restaurants and other businesses will be paid by the government if they are forced to close under new coronavirus restrictions.
The expansion of the Jobs Support Scheme, which succeeds the furlough scheme, would protect jobs and provide "reassurance and a safety net" for people and businesses across the UK, Rishi Sunak said.
It comes amid speculation that England will be carved into three different lockdown tiers next week, with millions of people facing tougher restrictions - particularly in the North - as the government tries to handle rising coronavirus cases.
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The new rules are likely to see pubs, cafes and restaurants effectively shut down in the worst-hit places, similar to what has happened in Scotland, where alcohol sales are being restricted for 16 days from today.
Ministers are planning to let MPs vote on the proposed new restrictions next week, Conservative chief whip Mark Spencer has said.
"There will be a statement to parliament next week and these things will come into force next week, subject to parliamentary vote of course," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.
Tougher restrictions in London are "highly likely" soon, mayor Sadiq Khan has said, because the capital is at a "very serious tipping point", with the virus "accelerating in every part of London".