
LONDON, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Another 36,804 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, marking the highest daily increase of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began in the country, according to official figures released Tuesday.
The total number of coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 2,110,314, the data showed.
Another 691 people have died within 28 days of a positive test, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain to 68,307, the data showed.
The figures were revealed amid grave concerns over the fast spread of a new coronavirus strain in Britain, which is said to be about 70 percent more transmissible.
Thousands of cases of the more infectious variant of coronavirus have been detected across Britain, indicating that the new strain had clearly spread beyond areas under the toughest Tier Four restrictions, The Guardian newspaper reported.
"It is certainly not the case that this is just completely geographically constrained in what is the current Tier Four area," said Dr Jeffrey Barrett, a statistical geneticist working on COVID-19 at the Wellcome Trust's Sanger Institute near Cambridge.
More than 40 countries have imposed travel restrictions on travelers from Britain amid fears of the new virus strain.
France has closed its border with Britain for 48 hours, with no lorries or ferry passengers able to sail from the port of Dover. A deal to resume travel with France following the shutdown could come later Tuesday, according to Sky News.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday announced the new Tier Four restrictions for London and other parts of England to combat an alarming surge in infections linked to the new virulent strain. British Health Secretary Matt Hancock has warned that the new virus strain is "out of control" in Britain.
To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States are racing against time to develop coronavirus vaccines.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses