Britain reported a record new 53,135 Covid-19 infections on Tuesday as experts said there are now more patients in England's hospitals with the virus than during the previous peak in April.
While a new strain of the coronavirus has led to a surge in cases in the UK, testing has also increased since the first wave in the spring.
The government will update Parliament on Wednesday afternoon on any new restrictions to be brought in.
More than 24 million people are already under orders to stay at home.
More than 2.38 million people have now tested positive, while on Tuesday another 414 deaths were recorded within 28 days of a positive test.
That takes the UK's death toll to 71,567.
National Health Service figures show more than 20,000 people are in hospital, compared to 18,974 on April 12.
Samantha Batt-Rawden, a critical-care doctor and president of the Doctors Association UK, said staff were at "breaking point" with equipment shortages.
NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said: "Many of us have lost family, friends, colleagues and – at a time of year when we would normally be celebrating – a lot of people are understandably feeling anxious, frustrated and tired.
"And now again we are back in the eye of the storm with a second wave of coronavirus sweeping Europe and, indeed, this country."
SPECS
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Representing%20UAE%20overseas
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Pieces of Her
Stars: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, David Wenham, Omari Hardwick
Director: Minkie Spiro
Rating:2/5
