THE UK'S daily Covid cases have spiked by a FIFTH in just one week ahead of Boris Johnson's winter virus plans.
A further 31,564 people tested positive for Coronavirus today, a 19 per cent rise on the 26,628 recorded last Tuesday.
4
The UK'S daily Covid cases have spiked by a fifth in just one week 4
It marks the fourth day that daily cases have increased week-on-week.
Britain's death toll has also soared, with Tuesday's 203 fatalities a 9 per rise on this day last week.
But hospital admissions are dropping as 861 new patients were recorded last Thursday, the most-recent date with available data.
It marks a 25 per cent drop on figures recorded one week earlier.
It comes after Boris Johnson admitted Brits face yet another uncertain Christmas amid Covid and supply chain chaos.
Gloomy earlier warned of a winter surge as pupils return to schools and the NHS grapples with its usual seasonal strain.
Asked if things will be back to normal this year, the PM could only offer hope that “we certainly don’t want or expect to have to do anything like last Christmas”.
He added that cancelling festivities “is very much not the plan” amid fears of empty shelves and overwhelmed hospitals.
The PM last week warned that masks, working from home and even vaccine passports could return under the Government's Winter Covid Plan.
He unveiled a "toolbox" of tough contingency measures that could be imposed at short notice to wrestle down a fresh spike.
Most read in The Sun
Exclusive
sleepover horror Two kids found 'killed in bed' as third tried to flee after screams heard
'KILLER' QUIZZED Suspect, 31, found with self-inflicted injuries as kids & mum 'murdered'
HIT FOR SIX Boris Johnson confirms he has six children and 'changes a lot of nappies'
Exclusive
RAGING REVENGE Dad 'made paedo pal who abused daughter, 6, dig his own grave & killed him'
TWO TO TANGO Ben Cohen’s ex regrets calling Kristina Rihanoff ‘a f**king Russian dancer’
CLOOLESS Mum begs for help with 5-year-old's homework but everyone's saying the same thing
Speaking at a Downing Street briefing last Tuesday he was bullish that his plan "will give us the confidence we don't need to go back to the lockdowns of the past".
Prof Chris Whitty warned: "Winter is coming, and people should still take this seriously."
Sir Patrick Vallance added that any sign of a Covid resurgence would have to be tackled hard and fast.
4
Boris Johnson speaking at a press conference last week Credit: Getty 4