UK coronavirus cases rise by 3,899 as another 18 more people die
CORONAVIRUS cases in the UK have risen by 3,899 and another 18 people have died.
The new cases take the UK’s total to 394,257, with a death toll of 41,777.
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This time last week, 3,330 people tested positive for the virus, while yesterday cases grew by 4,422 to 390,358 in the biggest rise for 19 weeks.
Brits could go through on-off lockdowns for the next six months.
PM Boris Johnson is expected to announce a two-week “circuit breaker” lockdown to tackle the pandemic.
A government source has told The Sun Online the UK could face short, sharp lockdowns for the next six months until a vaccine is ready to tackle the killer respiratory disease.
The new figures come as:
- Matt Hancock says a new London lockdown “can’t be ruled out”
- Millions of Brits will be paid £500 if they need to isolate
- Boris Johnson unveils £10k fines for Brits who break isolation rules
- Mr Hancock calls on snitches to report their neighbours
- A professor warns that the UK “can’t afford a harsh lockdown”
Members of Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) have suggested using the “circuit breaker” tactic repeatedly to quash waves of infections.
Mr Johnson is also expected to unveil £10,000 fines for Brits who fail to isolate.
He is looking at cutting pub opening hours, a ban on households mixing and tough penalties for those who flout the rules.
New laws will be rushed through to enforce self-isolation, with fines of up to £10,000 for anyone who defies orders to stay at home.
A senior government source said: “There’s not much on the cards to look forward to. The next six months’ll be pretty s***.”
Meanwhile Health Secretary Matt Hancock said today that a London lockdown could not be ruled out.
Mr Hancock said he has spoken with Mayor Sadiq Khan over the weekend about what action is needed in the capital.
Asked if London office employees could be advised to work from home from some point next week, Mr Hancock told Times Radio: “Well, I wouldn’t rule it out.”
Such a move would be in contrast to the Government’s recent messaging, which has been urging people to get back to their offices following the easing of lockdown restrictions.
It comes as Sadiq Khan is urging ministers to extend the latest regional restrictions – including ordering bars and restaurants to close at 10pm – to cover the capital as well.
He has reportedly told Boris Johnson he wants more Londoners to work from home.
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The looming two-week national shutdown will see restaurants and leisure facilities closed while schools and offices stay open.
Another 2.3 million people will be living under local lockdowns from Tuesday after curbs were announced for parts of Merseyside, Lancashire, West Yorkshire and the Midlands.
That means a total of 12.3 million – or one in five of the population – will be living under some form of lockdown even before new nationwide restrictions are announced.
