UK daily Covid cases hit their highest figure in two weeks today, with 42,408 new infections.

       The number of coronavirus infections announced today is the highest since highest since October 29, when 43,467 cases were confirmed.

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       Another 42,408 people have tested positive for Covid Credit: AP

       It marked an eight per cent climb from yesterday's figure of 39,329 recorded cases, and a 14 per cent rise from last Thursday's total of 37,269 infections.

       But reported cases over the last seven days are down 12 per cent compared to the previous seven.

       Today's rise marks an end to a period of decline in cases since the end of October.

       Another 195 deaths were announced today, with the number of fatalities over the past seven days down by 4.4 per cent.

       Today's recorded death toll is a nine per cent down from last Thursday's figure.

       In total, 142,533 people in the UK have died from Covid during the pandemic.

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       Almost 120,000 more first doses of the vaccine were administered, with another 47,766 doubled jabbed.

       And a whopping 532, 238 Brits received their third booster - meaning almost 20 per cent of people over the age of 12 have been jabbed three times.

       Almost 88 per cent of Brits over the age of 12 have had one dose, with 80 per cent double jabbed.

       It comes as thousands of care home staff will lose their jobs from today for not having their Covid jabs.

       NHS figures show 34,000 employees are set to be pulled off the frontline because of the 'no jab, no job' rule.

       Only a few thousand have medical reasons not to get vaccinated, and thousands who have had only a single dose will be unable to work until they have had their second.

       Care home worker Theresa Ingram-Gettins, who runs the Boldmere Court Care Home in Birmingham, broke down in tears on Good Morning Britain as she revealed she had to sack six staff members who refused to get vaccinated.

       Ms Ingram-Gettins said: "We're tired, we're worn out, we've just come through a pandemic — give us a break Boris."

       Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “This is all about patient safety. We know that people, whether they are in care homes or they are in a hospital bed, are particularly vulnerable to this virus and it could be fatal.

       “It’s our duty to do everything we can to protect them.”

       The government yesterday rejected last-minute calls for a deadline extension to April in line with NHS staff and home carers. Care organisations fear a winter staff shortage and insiders say homes could lose one or two carers, on average.

       The National Care Forum said 58 per cent of its members are running disciplinary hearings related to the law and half have had to pay out for legal advice.

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       Care home staff who are not fully vaccinated are being forced to leave their jobs Credit: MEN Media