Britain’s health ministry reported 938 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, the second-highest daily total since June, taking the cumulative number of positive test results to 305,623.
The most recent peak in cases came on 29 July, when health ministry data show there were 995 positive tests, the highest number since June 16.
It came as Britain's health minister announced millions of COVID-19 tests able to detect the virus within 90 minutes will be rolled out in the country, after criticism there has not been enough testing, especially in nursing homes.
Last week, one of Britain's largest care home providers CareUK said the government is unable to meet its promise to regularly test staff and residents in care homes after problems were discovered with the kits currently being used.
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Capacity will be boosted at hospitals, care homes and laboratories starting from next week, the government said on Monday, comprising 5.8 million tests using DNA and 450,000 swab tests.
Neither will need to be administered by a health professional.
"The fact these tests can detect flu, as well as COVID-19, will be hugely beneficial as we head into winter, so patients can follow the right advice to protect themselves and others," said health minister Matt Hancock.
"We are on track to deliver half a million tests a day by the end of October but new technologies like these two will help us to accelerate that," he said.
