Q&A: what does the government's latest UK Covid-19 data reveal?

Numbers from No 10 briefing show latest restrictions have either yet to take effect or do not go far enough

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With infections still on the rise, and sharply in some regions, it is clear that the latest restrictions brought in to suppress the virus have either yet to take effect or have not gone far enough. On Wednesday, a further 7,108 new cases were recorded, slightly down on the previous day's 7,143, but high enough to show that the epidemic continues to grow at pace. There were 71 reported deaths for the second day in a row.