LONDON, Sept 30 (NNN-XINHUA) – Another 7,143 people in the UK tested positive for COVID-19, the highest daily total, since the start of the pandemic in Britain, according to official figures released Tuesday.
The newly confirmed infections brought the total number of cases in the country to 439,013, the official data showed.
The COVID-19-related deaths rose by 71 to 42,072, according to the latest data.
Amid grave concern over outbreaks in universities, British Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, said Tuesday that, universities have been asked to provide “additional help and practical support” to students, while ensuring the students who are isolating are “properly cared for” and can get food, medical and cleaning supplies, if needed.
According to The Guardian newspaper, COVID-19 outbreaks have been reported in at least 50 campuses across Britain.
“We will never be in a position where we can eliminate all risk…But we will not condemn a generation of young people, by asking them to put their lives on hold for months or years ahead,” Williamson said. “We believe that universities are very well prepared to handle any outbreaks as they arise.”
In face of a sharp rise in cases, further restrictions were announced for people living in north-eastern England, including “legal restrictions on indoor mixing between households in any setting.”
The British government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Patrick Vallance, said that, it is possible that some vaccine could be available in small amounts later this year, but it is more likely that a vaccine will be available early next year, although that is not guaranteed.– NNN-XINHUA
