The severity of the Covid crisis facing the NHS has become even clearer — with a record 53,000 new cases reported in 24 hours.
Public Health England said the scale of infections and pressure on hospitals was causing “extreme concern”.
A leading scientific adviser to the UK government said urgent action was needed to prevent a “catastrophe” in the New Year.
There are calls for a delay in the return to school after the Christmas break, to prevent the spread of infections. The armed forces are being drafted in to help with testing in schools.
Huw Edwards presents BBC News at Ten reporting by health correspondent Catherine Burns and political correspondent Damian Grammaticas.
