UK records another 17,540 coronavirus cases with 77 deaths

The daily increase was about 3,300 more than the 14,162 cases recorded a day earlier.

The coronavirus-related deaths rose by 77 to 42,592, the latest data showed.

Pressure is mounting on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to consider tighter restriction measures as the country continues see a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases.

British Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said Thursday that the government was "currently considering what steps to take".

New measures to tackle coronavirus are expected to be announced "in the coming days", which could see pubs and restaurants to be closed in the worst-affected areas of England, according to the BBC.

Earlier Thursday, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the number of deaths caused by coronavirus was three times more than that caused by pneumonia and flu combined in the first eight months of this year.

A total of 48,168 deaths were recorded due to COVID-19, 13,619 due to pneumonia and 394 deaths due to influenza in England and Wales between January and August, according to the ONS.

The ONS statistics came in sharp contrast with the perception at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic that the novel coronavirus as no more dangerous than flu.

Johnson has previously warned that Britain's fight against coronavirus pandemic may be "bumpy through to Christmas" as the country continues to see a sharp rise in infections.

To bring life back to normal, countries, such as Britain, China, Russia and the United States, are racing against time to develop coronavirus vaccines.

The British government's Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance has said that it is possible that some vaccine could be available in small amounts later this year, but it is more likely that a vaccine will be available early next year, although that is not guaranteed.