The number of Covid cases and deaths in the UK has risen, according to the latest figures, with the new Pirola variant setting "alarm bells ringing".
The disease “shows no signs of stopping”, according to a leading virologist, with 16,030 people testing positive in the week up to September 30 - a 3,645 rise. That same week, there were 225 deaths, a rise of 80 from the week before, according to government figures.
