A man gets tested for coronavirus
(Picture: PA Wire)The UK has recorded 48,553 new coronavirus cases and 63 deaths just days before all Covid restrictions are lifted.
Today’s deaths are the highest since March 25. It brings the death toll since the start of the pandemic to 128,593.
Cases have soared since the arrival of the highly transmissible Delta variant in Britain.
All restrictions are due to be lifted on Monday, in what has become known as ‘Freedom Day’.
More than 46 million people have had at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. More than 35 million people are fully vaccinated.
According to the latest surveillance report from Public Health England, Covid-19 case rates in all regions of England are at their highest level since at least January.
North-east England is recording the highest rate, with 835.8 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to July 11.
This is the highest rate for the region since comparable figures began in summer 2020, when mass testing was first introduced across the country.
Yorkshire and the Humber has the second highest rate, 462.7, which again is the highest rate for the region since comparable figures began.
All other regions are recording their highest rate since January.
