A FURTHER 32,406 people have tested positive for Covid overnight – while fatalities have jumped by almost 50 per cent on this time last month.
Another 133 fatalities were recorded in the past 24 hours – a figure 46 per cent higher than July 28, when 91 deaths were recorded.
Meanwhile, health chiefs are bracing for surging cases after the bank holiday.
Millions of Brits are heading out across the weekend to make the most of the weather, while 500,000 revellers are partying at festivals.
Cornwall is now the worst-hit place in the country for Covid after a five-fold increase in teenage infections.
Some 50,000 people attended Boardmasters in Newquay.
Ten per cent later tested positive for Covid, despite a requirement of a negative test before entry.
According to The SUN, the south-west now has the highest infection rate of any English region after millions of Brits travelled to the area for staycations.
Both Cornwall and neighbouring Devon have been slapped with new Covid rules after the spike – with children urged to wear masks in communal areas when they return to the classroom.
But there are fears the situation could worsen across the UK in the days to come.
Eight festivals are being held across the country this weekend, with hundreds of thousands of revellers gathering to party.
Leeds and Reading, Creamfields in Cheshire and Victorious in Portsmouth are taking place.
Tens of thousands of partygoers are also heading to Pride in Manchester.
Those on their way to a festival were urged to take a rapid flow test beforehand, and to stay home if they are positive.
SURGE ‘VERY LIKELY’
Officials predict a “high prevalence” of the virus in schools by the end of the month.
And experts on the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling – or SPI-M – say Boris Johnson must now plan for a jump in cases.
While a health watchdog hasn’t yet given the green light on jabs for children under 16, Health Secretary Sajid Javid says the Government must be ready to “move quickly”.
It’s one of the strongest hints yet that children will be inoculated.
Latest data shows Covid cases have risen across the UK. Currently, one in 70 people in England are now infected.
