Britain records 830 Covid deaths as fatalities DOUBLE week-on-week

Britain today recorded another 830 Covid deaths as official statistics show the number of daily deaths has more than doubled week-on-week. 

Department of Health bosses also posted another record-high number of daily cases, with 60,916 new infections added to the ever-growing toll. 

The figures were released just half-an-hour before Boris Johnson faces the nation, as he bets the house on a fast vaccine roll-out to end the endless cycle of lockdown.

The Prime Minister is to hold a press conference at 5pm alongside medical and science chiefs Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance — whose warnings about the threat of the NHS being overwhelmed sparked the extraordinary U-turn to plunge England into new restrictions.

Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director for Public Health England, warned the ‘highly concerning’ rise in cases — which is up 14.6 per cent on last Tuesday’s figure — ‘will mean yet more pressure on our health services in the depths of winter’. 

She added: ‘That is why if we can, we must stay at home, reduce contacts and do everything possible to break the spread of this virus. It is by no means easy, but now more than ever we must all do our part to protect the NHS and save lives.’ 

Today’s deaths mark a 107.7 per cent rise on the 414 victims announced last Tuesday, while daily infections have risen by 14.6 per cent from the 53,135 reported a week ago.