Covid-19: UK daily coronavirus cases top 60,000 for first time

The number of new daily confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK has topped 60,000 for the first time since the pandemic started.

According to government figures on Tuesday, the number of people who have tested positive reached 60,916.

A further 830 people have died within 28 days of a positive test, up from 407 on Monday.

It comes as England and Scotland announced new lockdowns, with people told to stay at home.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to hold a press conference at Downing Street at 17:00 GMT.

He will be joined by the government's chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.

The number of new daily cases has consistently been over 50,000 since 29 December.

Back in the first peak of the pandemic in the spring, the number of daily confirmed cases never went over 7,000 - however, it is thought the true number of cases then was much higher but not picked up because testing capacity was limited.

On Monday the UK's chief medical officers recommended the Covid threat level be increased to five - its highest level.

In a statement after the case numbers were released, Public Health England medical director Yvonne Doyle said the rapid rise in cases was "highly concerning and will sadly mean yet more pressure on our health services in the depths of winter".

"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."

BBC News