Sheffield records highest number of daily coronavirus infections for almost four months

Official figures from the government’s coronavirus dashboard reveals that 40 people tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday, September 4.

The last time 40 people tested positive for coronavirus was on May 26 with 43 people receiving positive tests on May 6.

Sheffield recorded its lowest number of daily coronavirus infections since lockdown on August 16 when just two people tested positive.

The high remains 110 positive infections on March 31.

The Health Secretary has warned of a possible second peak of coronavirus following a “concerning” rise in the number of cases.

Matt Hancock’s warning came as he imposed further restrictions in Bolton.

A recent spike in cases across the country should be a reminder that the virus “remains a threat”, he said.

“This is not over,” he told the House of Commons.

“Just because we have come through one peak doesn’t mean we can’t see another one coming towards our shores.”

England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, has also warned that if people stop social distancing then “Covid comes back”.

It came after a senior official at NHS Test and Trace issued an apology to people unable to get a Covid-19 test.

Director of testing Sarah-Jane Marsh said there is capacity at testing sites but laboratories processing the tests are at a “critical pinch-point”.

There have been reports of people being told there are no appointments available at test centres in England and that there are no home tests kits available to send out.

Ms Marsh wrote on Twitter: “Can I please offer my heartfelt apologies to anyone who cannot get a Covid test at present.

“All of our testing sites have capacity, which is why they don’t look overcrowded; it’s our laboratory processing that is the critical pinch-point. We are doing all we can to expand quickly.

“We have additional NHS, Lighthouse, University and Partner Labs all due to open up imminently and we are also expanding the use of non-laboratory based tests. The testing team work on this 18 hours a day, seven days a week. We recognise the country is depending on us.”