LONDON

The UK recorded on Tuesday its highest-ever daily rise in COVID-19 cases, according to government data.

The data showed that 36,804 people tested positive for coronavirus across the UK over the past 24 hours, almost double the number of infections recorded a week ago.

According to the data, 691 people died of coronavirus, the second-highest figure since May.

Overall, 2,110,314 people have tested positive for coronavirus, and 68,307 have died from the disease.

The increase can be explained in part by a new mutant strain of coronavirus, which the government said necessitated the creation of a new tier of tough coronavirus restrictions.

The new level, called Tier 4, is currently in force in London and large parts of the southeast and east of England.

There has been speculation in local media that it could be extended to other parts of England around New Year.

Wales is already in a new national lockdown, and Northern Ireland will start a six-week national lockdown on Boxing Day.

Meanwhile, over 1,500 lorries are still stuck in Kent waiting to travel through France to trade as the UK and France continue to try and thrash out an agreement to reopen their borders.

France announced Sunday night it was closing its borders to travel and trade with the UK for 48 hours after Britain’s announcement that a new mutant strain of COVID-19 was more infectious and necessitated further restrictions at home.

One of the solutions mooted in local media is mass testing of lorry drivers, which could allow those who test negative to continue on their journeys.

The EU Commission called on member states to end their blanket travel bans on the UK to prevent supply chain disruption. It still discouraged non-essential travel, though.