The United Kingdom detected 179,756 new COVID-19 cases and 231 coronavirus-related deaths over the last 24 hours, according to the government's data updated on Thursday.
While the number of new infections slightly declined compared to yesterday, the weekly average surged by nearly 30% while the number of fatalities increased by more than 56%. Hospitalizations soared almost 65% week-over-week.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously pledged the government would do everything to avoid a general lockdown, promising to keep schools and businesses open.
