LONDON, Dec 15 (CGTN) - The UK recorded 78,610 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday – its largest number of daily infections since the start of the pandemic and about 10,000 more than the previous high reported in January.

More than 11 million people have now tested positive for the disease in the UK, which has a total population of around 67 million.

A senior British health chief said there could be a "staggering" rise over the next few days.

The news came on the day tough new anti-coronavirus measures came into effect in England, despite a major rebellion within the ruling Conservative Party, with many defying Prime Minister Boris Johnson and voting against the new rules.