London, Jan 4 (TIWN) Hospitals across the UK are being told to prepare to face the same Covid pressures as the NHS in London and south-east England.

It comes as a further 57,725 people have tested positive for Covid - a new daily high.  This is the fifth day in a row new daily cases have been over 50,000 and brings the total number of cases to 2,599,789.  Another 445 deaths, of people who had tested positive within the previous 28 days, were reported on Saturday - bringing the total number of deaths to 74,570, according to government figures.  The UK-wide total for people in hospital with Covid has already passed the spring peak.  Half of the major hospital trusts in England are said to be dealing with more Covid-19 patients than at the worst point of the first wave in April, with the NHS facing its "busiest winter ever".