COVID cases in the UK today jumped by 16,135 – the highest number of new infections in almost five months.
The total number of cases since the pandemic began now stands at 4,667,870.
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Today's rise in infections is the highest number of daily cases since February 6 when 18,262 were reported.
It is also higher than yesterday's figure of 11,625 as the Delta variant continues to grip the UK.
Deaths also rose by 19 – bringing the total to 128,027 – which is lower than yesterday's 27 fatalities.
Last Tuesday, 9,055 were recorded and nine deaths.
A total of 75,188,795 vaccinations in the UK have been administered with 31,740,115 people receiving two doses.
NEW VARIANT FEARS
It comes amid fears over a new "Delta Plus" variant that could be more transmissible than the original mutation.
Around 41 cases of the mutation, previously dubbed the "Nepal variant", are being closely monitored in the UK.
Delta Plus has been found in nine other countries – USA, India, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, Poland, Nepal, Russia and China.
PHE is not calling it "Delta Plus", and said the World Health Organisation is considering it simply part of Delta, but is monitoring the cases.
Dr Andrew Lee, Covid Incident Director at Public Health England, said: "PHE has had additional control measures in place for weeks where cases of Delta variant with K417N (AY.1) are detected including enhanced contact tracing, rapid testing and isolation.
"41 cases in total have been identified in England. Active investigation of cases and clusters will ensure our public health response remains fast and proportionate.Â
"We are continuing investigations to better understand the significance of K417N in addition to Delta.
"PHE will continue to closely monitor and assess all changes in the virus as they naturally emerge, given the overall large number of COVID cases globally.”
JAB SUCCESS
The Delta variant that spread across England and delayed the country's Freedom Day was first found in India in December 2020, before Public Health England detected it in the UK in early May.
The strain is up to 80 percent more contagious than the Alpha (Kent) variant.
Deputy chief executive of NHS Providers Saffron Cordery has now warned the number of patients needing a ventilator has risen by 41 per cent in the past week.
There are a total of 229 patients in ventilated intensive care beds in England and 18 in Scotland
Brits are now being urged to get the Covid jab to stop the new variant in its tracks.
A huge percentage of the country are now fully protected against Covid, with over three in five adults double-jabbed.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “The vaccination team have been working incredibly hard to provide people with much-needed protection from this life-threatening disease.
“With more and more evidence emerging on just how effective two doses of our vaccines are in protecting against the Delta variant, it’s a 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.
“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.”
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