The United Kingdom’s National Health Service is facing immense stress after another day of record coronavirus cases.
On Tuesday, the U.K. recorded 53,135 new COVID-19 cases and 414 more deaths.
Some of the cases may be due to a reporting lag during the Christmas season. However, there has been a “real increase” in cases, according to Public Health England.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the NHS was facing “unprecedented pressure.” He added in a tweet, “We must suppress this virus to protect our NHS & save lives until the vaccine can keep us safe.”
Hospitals in England and Wales have more COVID-19 patients now than during the first wave in April, according to the BBC.
In mid-December, a new strain of the coronavirus was discovered in the U.K. It’s not clear if the new strain is responsible for the current surge, but early estimates suggest that it may be 50% to 70% more transmissible.
Professor Andrew Hayward, an epidemiologist and a member of the British government’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group, warned that drastic action may soon be needed.
“I think we’re really looking at a situation where we’re moving into near lockdown,” he said.
