UK records 20,964 more cases - a rise of 4,386 in 24 hours

A general view of staff working at the Covid-19 Testing Centre early on a freezing morning in the Gwent Valleys, on November 27, 2020 at Cwm, Ebbw Vale. Wales, United Kingdom. /Getty Images

The UK on Thursday recorded 20,964 more COVID-19 cases, the highest daily increase since mid-November, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 1,787,783.

516 more patients succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours- a slight fall on the 533 fatalities confirmed on Wednesday. This brings the death toll in the country to 79,000according to figures from statistics agencies where COVID-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate.

Since the start of the crisis, a total of 63,082 people in the UK have died within 28 days of testing positive for COVID-19.

Other figures also show that coronavirus rates in England are now highest in London although infections have plateaued nationwide.

The capital had the highest average infection rate in the country - 191.8 per 100,000 people - for the week of 30 November to 6 December, according to the weekly surveillance survey by Public Health England.

(With input from agencies)