Britain passes 500,000 COVID-19 cases

The United Kingdom passed 500,000 confirmed coronavirus infections on Sunday, official figures showed, in the latest grim milestone for the European country worst-hit by the pandemic.

Health authorities blamed a technical glitch for a sudden spike in cases announced in evening figures that had kept several thousand cases from the last week of September off the official tally.

Officials said the issue had now been resolved and earlier cases missed in the official count would be included in future figures.

The United Kingdom has now recorded 502,978 Covid-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, with more than 42,000 deaths.

In an interview with the BBC on Sunday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the country faced a “very tough winter” in the battle against the disease, but said there was “hope” the situation could improve by Christmas.

Health authorities are meanwhile drawing up a vaccination program that prioritizes elderly people and at-risk workers.

(AFP)