Covid UK news live: Death toll rises by almost 100 in 24 hours as government confirms self-isolation ‘crucial’
Akshita Jain,Rory Sullivan and Sam Hancock 3
LIVE – Updated at 17:40
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"The UK has recorded its highest number of Covid deaths in a single-day period since 24 March. Public Health England data shows.
Public Health England data shows.
Some 96 people died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus as of 9am on Tuesday. It brings the nation’s death toll to 128,823, while there were also 46,558 new cases of Covid reported in the same 24 hours.
It comes as the government said it remains “crucial” for people to self-isolate when they receive a “ping” from the NHS coronavirus app, overruling an earlier comment from business minister Paul Scully. He said on Tuesday morning that it was up to individuals to make an “informed decision” about whether or not to quarantine after getting an alert.
Hours later, Downing Street scrambled to clarify its position, saying that self-isolation was an important means of preventing the spread of the virus. “It is crucial people isolate when they are told to do so, either by NHS Test and Trace or by the NHS Covid app,” a No 10 spokesperson said.
Key Points
UK records almost 100 Covid deaths in 24 hours - highest since March
Only a fifth of people are using Covid app properly, poll shows
One million kids out of school due to Covid - data
UK vaccine passport plans condemned as ‘absolute shambles'
Businesses can disregard Covid app ‘pings’, minister suggests
Minister rules out vaccine passports for pubs."
Amiss all this confusion and back-stepping . Yesterday was FREEDOM DAY. The day when all legal restrictions were lifted. Today we have the most deaths since March. The virus now has the freedom to mutate and infect without restrictions it will, tomorrow.