Now 4,200 people are catching Covid-19 each day in England: Official data estimates coronavirus cases have more than doubled in a fortnight and risen to the highest level in seven weeks
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Coronavirus cases have risen again in England, government statisticians today admitted as they claimed 4,200 people are now catching the life-threatening infection each day.
The estimate by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) – based on swab tests taken of thousands of people – is the highest in seven weeks and more than double the 1,700 recorded a fortnight ago.
The government-run body today said there is now enough evidence to show a slight increase in cases, after weeks of warning there was not enough proof to show infections were on the up.
It comes amid growing fears of a second Covid-19 wave in Britain, with Boris Johnson understood to be concerned about a spike in cases both in Europe and in the UK.
Matt Hancock last night introduced tough new lockdown restrictions on 4.5million people in Greater Manchester and parts of Lancashire and West Yorkshire to control spiralling cases, banning them from mixing with any other households indoors.
Top scientists insist Britain must learn to live with the virus and control flare-ups through measures No 10 already has in its locker. Businesses fear another blanket lockdown – which the Prime Minister admitted he doesn’t want to use – would cause even more catastrophic damage to an economy already in tatters.
