Coronavirus news: UK coronavirus cases hit highest ever daily total, as Wales announces more local lockdowns
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More than 7,100 new coronavirus cases have been reported in the UK - marking the highest daily figure recorded since the outbreak began.
The new figure brings the total number of confirmed infections to 446,156.
Meanwhile, Wales announced four more local lockdowns following a rise in coronavirus cases in the areas.
Restrictions are set to be introduced in Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Wrexham from 6pm on Thursday to help control the spread of the virus.
‘Bleakest of winters’
More than 100 hospitality businesses in the UK - including pubs, restaurants and hotels - have written to the UK prime minister warning that thousands of jobs will be lost if businesses do not survive "this bleakest of winters".
In the letter to Boris Johnson, industry leaders say that even before the latest Covid-19 restrictions, half of all hospitality businesses did not believe they would survive beyond the middle of next year.
It comes as companies prepare for what to do when the government's furlough scheme ends on October 31.
Press Association
Frustration in ‘red wall’
Confusion, anger and anxiety reign supreme across the north east of England, after Boris Johnson and his ministers struggled to explain the new coronavirus restrictions they have imposed on the region, writes Adam Forrest.
Voters told The Independent of their dismay at the “chaotic” manner in which the government has introduced local lockdowns on socialising.
Full story:
Coronavirus rule confusion sees ‘red wall’ revolt in north east England
Voters in the former Labour heartlands share their frustration over the bungled introduction of tighter restrictions, writes Adam Forrest
‘I haven’t slept in 24 hours’
Dressed in white lab coats, medical scrubs and face masks, hundreds of junior Spanish doctors have taken to the streets of Barcelona to demand better working conditions as they struggle against a second wave of coronavirus infections.
"We're working up to 80 hours a week and clocking shifts of 24 hours," protester Clara Boter, a 28-year-old medical resident intern, said. "Our contract is for 40 hours a week and we're on a basic salary."
Between chants, the young doctors put down blankets around Barcelona's busy Plaza de Espana roundabout to stage a sleep-in, highlighting the long hours they have to work.
One protester lay next to a sign that read: "I haven't slept in 24 hours. Can I take care of you?"
Reuters
French tally rises by more than 8,000
French health authorities have reported more than 8,000 new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours, up sharply from Monday's 4,070, while intensive care admissions were also on the rise.
The number of people in France who have died from coronavirus infections rose by 85 to 31,893, compared to 81 the day before.
Additional reporting by Reuters
Schools and partial closures
Around one in six state secondary schools in England were not fully open last week, latest government figures have show.
Eighty-four per cent were open to all students last Thursday, according to Department for Education (DfE) data.
This is a drop from 92 per cent on 17 September.
Partial closures were mainly due to coronavirus-related reasons, the DfE said.
A tiny proportion of state schools – 0.2 per cent – were completely closed on 24 September, according to the latest available figures.
One in six state secondary schools not fully open, latest figures show
Partial closures are mainly due to coronavirus-related reasons
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