We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Scientific advisers are now urging Boris Johnson to ramp up restrictions in order to prevent further spread and deaths. On the continent, France has now been thrown into a four-week lockdown following a significant rise in cases and subsequent in recent weeks.

French President Emmanuel Macron declared the lockdown in a press conference on Wednesday evening after some 50,000 new cases a day have been reported over the past week.

Infections are rising rapidly across Europe, including in the UK, which is currently working with a blend of regional approaches and total lockdowns, depending on where you live.

On Wednesday there were 310 new deaths and over 24,000 new infections across the UK.

The UK has the highest COVID-19 death toll in Europe, standing at more than 60,000.

Will the UK have a second lockdown?

The Government is currently pushing through with its regional approach to tackling the virus.

England is currently running a three-tier approach to coronavirus restrictions.

Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have all imposed national measures intended to be short and sharp.

Although the Prime Minister has overall power over the devolved administrations, each country has swayed far away from central Government’s tactics for controlling the virus that a UK-wide lockdown seems unlikely, especially considering Wales is already in one.

According to Government data, the rate of infections in areas of the northwest of England is currently two-and-a-half times higher than that of London.

The number of deaths in the area since the end of September is also around six times higher than in the capital.

However, SAGE scientists are now pushing for stricter lockdown rules across the country sooner rather than later.

DON’T MISS
Can I go trick or treating on Halloween this year? Latest advice [INSIGHT]
Can hairdressers open in Tier 3? [REPORT]
Will the UK have a second recession? Economists warn of ‘double dip’ [ANALYSIS]

Scientists advising the Government have forecast deaths could hit 500 per day by the middle of December if the Government doesn’t act now.

Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director of Public Health England, last night warned the rising death toll from COVID-19 was likely to “continue for some time”.

She said: “We continue to see the trend in deaths rising, and it is likely this will continue for some time.

“Each day we see more people testing positive and hospital admissions increasing.

“Being seriously ill enough from the infection to need hospital admission can sadly lead to more COVID-related deaths.

“We can help to control this virus.”

Despite this, Government ministers are backing the current approach, with Environment Secretary George Eustice telling Sky News: “We think we have got the right approach for now.”

The NHS is currently less strained than health services in countries like France, with around 850 intensive care beds currently occupied.

Source: Read Full Article