British government data published Wednesday showed that 26,688 more people tested positive for coronavirus — a 25% rise from Tuesday and the highest daily total recorded for the entire pandemic period.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES STANDS AT 789,229
It also showed that a further 191 people died of the disease, bringing the total to 44,158.
South Yorkshire will enter Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions, the highest level of the three-tier system announced by the government last week, from Saturday. Measures in this tier include banning social mixing indoors and closing pubs entirely.
The region has around 1.4 million people and includes the city of Sheffield, according to Mayor Dan Jarvis.
The decision means that 13% of England, or around 7.3 million people, will be living under Tier 3 measures. The tiered system currently operates only in England, with Wales and Northern Ireland having decided to go for short, national lockdowns.
Scotland has been under tighter restrictions than England, but thus far has had neither a regional nor a second national lockdown. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced Wednesday, however, that she would announce a new tiered system on Friday, and that the measures would be implemented on Nov. 2.
Much like the current restrictions in Scotland, the Scottish tiered system is expected to go further than its English equivalent.