NHS campaigners are demanding a return of free Covid tests amid fears of a new wave of the virus.
Health workers and some MPs backed a petition delivered to Downing Street yesterday insisting the Government brings back free lateral flow tests.
It also calls on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to reinstate the isolation requirement for those with a positive test and financial help such as sick pay.
Infections surged last week by 43% to 1.4 million UK cases as a result of increased mixing, more infectious Omicron variants and waning immunity.
Petition lead Dr John Puntis, co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public, said: “The Government must take some responsibility for the current level of infection, and a predicted new wave.
“Restoring free lateral flow tests and encouraging self-isolation would help decrease viral spread and protect against new variants and further surges, as well as decreasing the risk of long Covid.”
Random testing suggests cases are up from 989,800 the previous week.
The latest figure is the highest since the start of May but will below the 4.9 million high in March.
In England, around one in 50 are thought to have the virus, up from one in 70 a week ago.
In Wales, it is one in 45, up from one in 75. Scotland is one in 30, up from one in 40.
In Northern Ireland, it is one in 45, up from one in 65.
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said: “It’s absurd the Government has scrapped free lateral flow testing.”
