Patrick Vallance
The figures also include another 830 deaths and come just a day after Boris Johnson announced a third lockdown.
Pre-Christmas press conference a microcosm of scientific candour versus political calculation
Chief scientific officer says more areas are likely to be put under the strictest restrictions "in due course".
Third wave fears resurface, as Whitty and Vallance give first clues to lessons learned in pandemic.
Chief medical officer issues warning as Patrick Vallance admits Christmas will lead to rise in Covid cases
Patrick Vallance welcomes first coronavirus vaccination but warns it will be a long time until life is "completely normal".
Some tentative signs of hope, but huge death toll should never be forgotten.
The UK statistics authority warned chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance that No.10 briefing slides had the "potential to confuse".
Hints of Christmas respite from Whitty, but real release won’t come until spring.
The strict new national measures will be in place until December 2.