England will start building emergency hubs in hospitals this week to help fight a record rise in COVID-19 cases.

The eight so-called "Nightingale" facilities will be temporary and can house around 100 patients each, with the option of adding 4,000 more beds, according to the National Health Service (NHS). 

The number of people in English hospitals with the coronavirus has risen above 10,000 for the first time since March. The national medical director of the NHS, Stephen Powis, said the service was on a "war footing."

On Wednesday, the UK reported a record 183,037 cases, although that included lagged data from Northern Ireland over the Christmas period.

Nonetheless, case numbers have been hitting record highs in recent days, which is also happening across other parts of Europe.

Test shortages

Unlike Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, England – the UK's most populous nation – has chosen not to bring in tougher restrictions before the new year.

But the country is facing a testing shortage as demand increases ahead of New Year's Eve. Pharmacies say supplies of lateral flow tests have been unreliable in recent days and the government's own website for more thorough PCR tests said there were none available anywhere in England at 10:30 a.m. GMT on Thursday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people should be careful if celebrating on Friday: "I think everybody should enjoy New Year but in a cautious and sensible way. Take a test, ventilation, think about others but above all, get a booster." 

Many will be unable to take tests, however, so may have to review plans or risk going ahead with them without testing.

Record infection rates are also causing staff shortages across the NHS, which could make it harder to deal with any further rise in cases.

Almost 19,000 staff were absent in England due to positive tests or self-isolation requirements on December 19, up more than 50 percent on the previous week, according to official data.