THE UK’s daily Covid case total is the highest in FIVE WEEKS amid fears of ANOTHER lockdown over a new coronavirus strain.
A further 50,091 people tested positive today – the biggest figure seen since October 21, when 52,009 cases were recorded.
And the UK’s death toll has soared too, as a 160 more fatalities are seen.
It comes as an expert claimed Brits should be ready for fresh coronavirus restrictions to come into force after a new variant emerged.
The variant, scientifically called B.1.1.529, has not yet been confirmed in the UK as of yet.
It is the most evolved so far with 32 mutations, and could be worse than Delta, experts have warned.
The variant has only been found in three countries so far – but its power has sparked a sudden ban on flights from six nations to the UK.
Professor Adam Finn, a member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said more needs to be learned about the new variant.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain this morning, Prof Finn said the virus needed to be assessed in terms of risk and added that restrictions could not be ruled out.
Britain has been relatively restriction free since the summer when the last set of constraints were lifted on the country.
Last winter tiers were in place to prevent the spread of the virus and many Brits were unable to spend Christmas with their loved ones due to restrictions.
