Total confirmed coronavirus cases hit a new record on Tuesday, rising above 50,000 for the first time, to 53,135. What is Independent Sage calling for? (Image: Independent SAGE) (Image: Independent SAGE)"The greater transmissibility of [the new variant] has tipped us into a new, even more serious, pandemic. Figures from NHS England showed there were 21,787 patients in NHS hospitals in England as of 8am on Tuesday, compared with 20,426 on Monday, and 18,974 at the first wave peak on April 12. Total coronavirus cases hit a new record on Tuesday, rising above 50,000 cases for the first time, to 53,135 lab-confirmed cases.

Source: Daily Mirror December 29, 2020 21:59 UTC