Britain has recorded a major spike in cases of Covid-19 within a 24 hour period – prompting concerns that an “exceptionally difficult winter” is on the cards

UK Government figures on Thursday indicated that 45,066 people tested positive for the coronavirus, the highest since July 20.

The daily number of positive Covid cases hasn’t been this high since July 20, with 157 deaths also recorded which is a 10.7 percent increase when compared to this time last week.

The country’s National Health Service is bracing for a difficult winter period, with expectations the virus will take hold once again.

Much of the recent increased cases in the UK is among children after their return to school

The rollout of vaccines among eligible children has been considered by officials within the UK as ‘slower than anticipated.’

However whilst infection rates remain stubbornly high, vaccines have played a major role in keeping current daily hospitalisations down at around 700, and the death rate low.

The number of people dying with COVID-19 has held steady in recent weeks, although concerns are rising that the increase in cases will lead to more deaths.

The uptick in cases has prompted a new vaccine campaign for vulnerable residents to get both their flu jabs alongside their Covid booster shot