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Coronavirus cases rise by more than 2,000 for fourth day in a row as death toll falls to 8

Jimmy Nsubuga
·3-min read
A man wearing a face mask walks past an ambulance at University College Hospital in London on July 17, 2020. - Boris Johnson said on July 17 he hoped Britain would "return to normality" by November despite being badly affected by the coronavirus and predictions of a second wave of cases during winter months. Johnson announced that to prepare for a possible winter spike in cases the state-run National Health Service (NHS) would receive an extra £3 billion ($3.8 billion, 3.3 million euros). (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP) (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)
The government is set to bring in greater social-distancing restrictions following a spike in coronavirus cases. (Getty)

Coronavirus cases have risen by more than 2,000 for the fourth day in a row.

The government confirmed there were 2,659 new cases reported on Wednesday.

Another eight people have also died with COVID-19, bringing the official death toll in the UK to 41,594.

There were 2,988 new cases on Sunday, the highest daily increase since 22 May, with another 2,948 on Monday and 2,420 on Tuesday.

Read more: Stop blaming young people for the spread of coronavirus, scientists tell government

The news follows the government’s announcement that it will bring in greater social-distancing restrictions in England as it seeks to curb the rise in infections.

From Monday, social gatherings of more than six people will be illegal in England, down from the current limit of 30.

The new limit will apply to gatherings indoors and outdoors, including private homes as well as parks, pubs and restaurants.

Boris Johnson laid out the new restrictions at a press conference in Downing Street on Wednesday.

He said: “So in England from Monday we are introducing the rule of six.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a virtual press conference at Downing Street, London, following the announcement that the legal limit on social gatherings is set to be reduced from 30 people to six. The change in the law in England will come into force on Monday as the Government seeks to curb the rise in coronavirus cases.
Boris Johnson lays out the new coronavirus restrictions at a virtual press conference in Downing Street, London, on Wednesday. (PA)

“You must not meet socially in groups of more than six and if you do, you will be breaking the law.

“This will apply in any setting indoors or outdoors, at home or in the park.

“The ban will be set out in law and it will be enforced by the police, and anyone breaking the rules risks being dispersed, fined, and possibly arrested.”

Read more: Boris Johnson unveils coronavirus plan to get some normality by Christmas

The prime minister said there would be some limited exemptions: for example, if a single household or support bubble is larger than six, it will still be allowed to gather.

He said COVID-secure venues like places of worship, gyms, restaurants and hospitality venues could still hold more than six in total.

But he said within those venues there must not be individual groups larger than six and groups must not mix socially or form larger groups.

Watch: What are the current UK government guidelines on face coverings within schools?

England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said the number of coronavirus cases has been increasing “much more rapidly” over the past few days.

While the numbers among older people and children remained flat, he said, in other age groups there had been “rapid upticks”.

Among 17- to 18-year-olds and 19- to 21-year-olds, the numbers had gone up “really quite steeply” since mid-August, he said.

Without action, Prof Whitty said, data suggests Britain would be on a path “extremely similar” to France, where numbers have continued to rise.

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