Covid UK news LIVE – Even TOUGHER coronavirus lockdown needed or the NHS will be overwhelmed within 3 weeks, govt fears
THE government is considering even tougher lockdown restrictions as experts fear the NHS could be overwhelmed in just three weeks.
Top scientists are concerned the current restrictions are not working – and that Brits still aren’t taking lockdown measures seriously enough to stop the spread.
A ban on exercising with one person outside of your household and wearing face coverings in offices are among the rules which could be reviewed as infections continue to spiral.
Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty warned: “Earlier this week, the UK’s four chief medical officers and the NHS medical director recommended raising the national alert level to the maximum of level 5 for the first time.
“This means that, without further action, there is a material risk of our healthcare services being overwhelmed within 21 days.”
A further 563 deaths in the UK have been reported today – taking the overall the total to 81,431.
The number of daily cases of people who tested positive for coronavirus increased by 54,950.
The NHS has also revealed it is currently operating at 50% higher patient capacity than it was during the peak of the first wave of coronavirus last summer.
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