Coronavirus news - live: UK death tolls hits new daily record of 1,564 as PM ‘concerned’ over Brazil variant
Boris Johnson has said the government is concerned over a new variant of the coronavirus found in Brazil as the UK Covid daily death toll hit a record 1,564.
He told MPs: "We are concerned about the new Brazilian variant. We already have tough measures...to protect this country from new infections coming in from abroad.
"We are taking steps to do that in respect of the Brazilian variant." But he was unable to identify any measures introduced in relation to the country.
NHS England reported 1,012 more hospital deaths linked to Covid-19, bringing the country’s total to 57,828.
In a U-turn on Wednesday, the prime minister said the coronavirus vaccine programme would be in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week “as soon as we can”.
London councils and mayor Sadiq Khan have implored Mr Johnson to immediately implement tougher coronavirus measures - including closing places of worship - or risk putting an “unsustainable strain” on the NHS and public services.
After a major incident was declared in the capital last Friday due to rising Covid-19 cases, Mr Khan and London Councils chairman Georgia Gould have written to the prime minister, calling for measures similar to those in place last March and April.
