UK covid cases rise by 5,683 in 73% surge in one week as third wave fears grow

The UK has reported 5,683 new coronavirus cases today as infections soared by 73% in just one week.

Last Monday's health chiefs announced 3,283 Covid infections, with cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus soaring in the past week.

Yesterday's daily Covid figures revealed 5,341 new cases - then the highest number since March 22.

It comes amid calls for the Government to postpone the lifting of all restrictions on June 21, with the worrying figures being put down to the rampaging Indian variant - know known as Delta.

Ministers, experts and advisers will this week begin examining crucial data which will decide whether step four of the unlocking “roadmap” as some fear the third wave has already begun.

Boris Johnson is due to make an announcement next Monday.

However, despite the continued rise in cases, the UK has only recorded one new death in the latest 24-hour period - the same as a week ago - while yesterday saw four.

This further suggests the vaccination programme may well have broken the link between surging infections and an increase in deaths - though Sunday and Monday figures are often low due to a lag in weekend reporting.

Have you had the Indian/Delta variant? Let us know at webnews@mirror.co.uk

The rise in cases has led to calls for the Government to postpone the lifting of restrictions on June 21 (PA)

Currently, Britain has dished out first doses of vaccines to 40,460,576 people, and 27,921,294 second jabs.

A single dose offers just 33 percent protection against the Indian variant, much less than that first identified in Kent - now known as Alpha.

Even after both doses vaccination is generally only around 90% effective at preventing Covid-19, though prevents more people from becoming seriously ill with the virus.

With the death rate remaining low, there is some confidence the vaccines have broken the link between cases surging and fatalities (PA)

There are a minority of the population who can’t or won’t be vaccinated.

Teenagers are not currently eligible for vaccination and are significant drivers of transmission.

When you combine all these factors there could be enough unprotected people falling ill to fill hospitals if the virus becomes widespread.

Protecting the NHS so it can carry on treating non-Covid patients is the priority so if patients are not hospitalised with the virus then the unlocking will likely go ahead.

Some scientists believe the UK has already entered the third wave (Getty Images)

Sky-high infection rates that do not overly burden the NHS do come with other consequences though.

Millions with non-life threatening symptoms may go on to develop Long Covid and we know very little about the long term consequences of this.

Sir David King, who was Chief Scientific Adviser from 2000 to 2007 and who chairs the Independent Sage Group, told Sky News, prior to the latest figures: "Now, we've been discussing whether or not we're going into a serious third wave and I don't think we can possibly wait any longer.

"This is the evidence of another wave appearing."

Scientists are split over the scale of England's rising case rates as school pupils return from their half term break today.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday warned the government was prepared to delay the unlocking if necessary.

Advice on face masks, social distancing and working from home could remain after the next easing even if others go ahead, it is reported today.