per day in the last week. there were 8,238 people in hospital with covid, as of thursday. 135 deaths were reported, that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, 133 deaths were announced every day. a prominent adviser to the government on covid—19 is urging the public to do everything possible to reduce transmission of the virus. professor peter 0penshaw says infection and death rates are currently "unacceptable," and he's very fearful there could be another "lockdown christmas". the government maintains at the moment there's no need for stricter covid measures in england, and is encouraging all those who are eligible to get their boosterjabs. with the latest, here's yunus mulla. as covid infection rates continue to rise sharply in england and wales, and remain high across the uk, at the heart of the government's plans to deal with covid this winter is getting people vaccinated.