The rise in cases brings the total to 246, which is up from 160 on the previous day and a rise of more than 50 percent. Speaking on the Andrew Marr show, Professor Mark Woolhouse, a scientific Government advisor, said: "I think that may be a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. Mr Woodhouse is not alone in his feelings as Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter also told Sky News the UK could face "more stringent measures" after Christmas to counter the spread of the new variant.

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