UK reports highest daily rise of virus cases

LONDON, Sept 30 (Xinhua): Another 7,143 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, the highest daily total ever since the start of the pandemic in Britain, according to official figures released Tuesday.

The newly confirmed infections brought the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 439,013, the official data showed.

The coronavirus-related deaths rose by 71 to 42,072, according to the latest data.

Amid grave concerns over outbreaks in the universities, British Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said Tuesday that universities have been asked to provide "additional help and practical support" to students, while ensuring the students who are isolating are "properly cared for" and can get food, medical and cleaning supplies if needed.

According to The Guardian newspaper, COVID-19 outbreaks have been reported in at least 50 campuses across Britain.

"We will never be in a position where we can eliminate all risk...But we will not condemn a generation of young people by asking them to put their lives on hold for months or years ahead," Williamson told MPs in a statement.