UK reports highest daily COVID-19 cases in four months

The United Kingdom on Saturday reported its highest daily coronavirus cases in four months.

Public health officials announced an additional 4,422 new daily cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, 100 more new cases than on Friday and the highest daily total since May 8.

England is reportedly eyeing a second shutdown as cases continue to rise, The New York Times reported Friday. 

“There’s no question, as I’ve said for several weeks now, that we could expect and we are now seeing a second wave coming in,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Friday.

“I don’t think anybody wants to go into a second lockdown, but clearly when you look at what is happening, you’ve got to wonder whether we need to go further than the rule of six that we brought in on Monday,” he added, referring to a new law prohibiting social gatherings of more than six people.

This comes as Europe has experienced a surge in cases this month. Earlier this week Europe reported a one-week rise of 300,000 cases, the highest 7-day total since the start of the pandemic. 

“We have a very serious situation unfolding before us,” Hans Kluge, World Health Organization regional director for Europe, said Thursday. “Weekly cases have now exceeded those reported when the pandemic first peaked in Europe in March.”