England announces 12 more coronavirus deaths in hospitals in early count as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all record zero
- Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all recorded no further deaths
- Most deaths in England were recorded in the North West, with seven confirmed
- It comes as the government bars people meeting up in groups of more than six
England has recorded a further 12 deaths from coronavirus in hospitals, amid mounting fears that the country is facing a second wave.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all said they had seen no further deaths from coronavirus since yesterday.
Britain's death toll will be officially announced by the Department of Health this afternoon and may be different to the preliminary total calculated by adding up deaths reported by each home nation.New cases will also be reported later after almost 9,000 were diagnosed across Sunday, Monday and Tuesday - the highest since mid-May.
It comes as the government prepares to tighten lockdown restrictions for the first time since March. From Monday people in England will not be allowed to meet in groups of more than six people.
There are also fears of a 10pm curfew being imposed should the measures fail to halt the accelerating spread. Boris Johnson told the House of Commons today that the draconian measures are essential to 'keep our economy going and schools open'.
The most deaths were recorded in the North West, at seven, followed by the South East, at three, and London, two.
No further deaths were reported in the East of England, Midlands, North East and Yorkshire, and South West.
The health secretary made clear this morning that the UK is prepared to step up coronavirus restrictions.
'We need to act now to stop the virus spreading,' he said. 'So we are simplifying and strengthening the rules on social contact – making them easier to understand and for the police to enforce.
'It is absolutely critical that people now abide by these rules and remember the basics – washing your hands, covering your face, keeping space from others, and getting a test if you have symptoms.'
The new England-wide measure were sparked after cases topped 2,000 three days running - taking the UK well above the threshold where it considers placing travel restrictions on other countries.
The health secretary said the 'rule of six' law had been introduced to 'simplify' coronavirus restrictions.
He added that it was not coming into force until Monday to give everyone time to read it and be prepared.
Those that don't follow the rule will face fines ranging from £100 to £3,200, although there will be exceptions for events such as weddings, funerals and Christenings.
'We have got to bring in clear, stricter rules this autumn unfortunately to stop the spread of the virus,' he said.
'One of the things we heard back including from the police directly was that we needed a simpler set of rules that are very straightforward, (that) everybody can understand, and we will be publishing those rules very clearly and then enforcing against them.'
The measures will be in place for the 'forseeable future', sparking fears they could disrupt Christmas celebrations.
The health secretary sought to dampen these on the Today programme this morning, stating that three months is a 'long time' in a pandemic.
'I very much hope that this stronger rule, together with the local action that we've taken in places like Bolton, (can curb the spread of the infection).
'I really hope that we can turn this around before Christmas.'
He also made it clear that local lockdown measures would be brought in where necessary, to further curb the spread of the disease.
Several local lockdowns have already been put in place to curb the spread.
Bolton became the first place in the UK to see pubs and restaurants forced to return to take-out only yesterday after a surge in cases.
There are also lockdowns in place in Caerphilly, Western Scotland, parts of Greater Manchester and Leicester.
The UK recorded 30 more deaths from coronavirus yesterday, the highest level in six weeks, and an additional 2,420 new cases.
When cases rose to almost 3,000 on Sunday it sparked 'concern' among ministers and warnings that the UK could be in for a 'bumpy ride' if the rapid increase does not slow down.
But many have reported being unable to get a test despite having symptoms because the system recommends they head to testing centres more than 200 miles away.
Matt Hancock today denied claims the UK's testing was overwhelmed, and claimed 92 per cent of those requesting a test were receiving it within ten miles of their home.
He said the system had faced a 25 per cent surge of requests from people who do not have symptoms, which are not eligible to get tested.
'I've heard of cases of whole schools being sent for tests,' he said, and added that people going on holiday had also applied to get tested.
The director of testing, Sarah-Jane Marsh, yesterday apologised to those who were not getting tests and warned they were at a 'critical pinch-point'.
'Can I please offer my heartfelt apologies to anyone who cannot get a Covid test at present,' she wrote.
'All of our testing sites have capacity, which is why they don't look overcrowded, it's our laboratory processing that is the critical pinch-point.
'We are doing all we can to expand quickly.'
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