Britain reported 19,724 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, a rise of 2,490 from the day before, government data showed as new local restrictions were due to be brought in for some areas of the country to curb the spread of infections.
The figures also showed there were 137 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, down slightly from Tuesday when there 143 were recorded.
(Reporting by Michael Holden)
