Coronavirus UK strain transmission is ‘significant’ says expert
Due to infection rates rising to levels not seen before, Mr Johnson addressed the nation and announced a lockdown will begin on Wednesday despite initial speculation of a potential new Tier 5 being added to the Government’s tier system. The lockdown – which will replace the current tiers – will last for six weeks into the middle of February, meaning schools and businesses must now close across England, while the public has once again been urged to stay at home. This now means England will enter into a third lockdown as the Prime Minister insisted stricter measures are needed to bring the new strain of coronavirus under control.
Although this will cripple some businesses and comes just a day after Mr Johnson praised the safety of schools, the Prime Minister was praised for taking the tough decisions by unions and industry leaders.
Unison general secretary, Dave Prentis said: “The new restrictions are tough, but the virus has to be beaten.
“Otherwise, the NHS could be overwhelmed, with terrible consequences for those needing care.
“While most of us will now be safe at home, key staff in hospitals, schools, care homes and other essential services will keep doing their jobs, despite the risks.
Coronavirus: Boris Johnson praised for tough restrictions (Image: GETTY/No 10 Flickr)
Coronavirus: Boris Johnson made the announcement tonight (Image: PA)
“Many are exhausted, covering for colleagues off sick with Covid.
“Without a doubt, the Government should have acted sooner.”
Chief executive of Make UK, also added: “In the face of a renewed national crisis the Prime Minister is right to take these vital measures.
“This fight is likely to occupy much of the coming year and, just as it has done since the start of the crisis, industry has supported the national effort and will continue to do so.
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Coronavirus: The lockdown will last until February (Image: No10 Flickr)
“In return, it is now critical Government revisits the business support packages.”
Due to the new strain of the virus, the UK reported 58,784 cases across the country taking the total to 2,713,563.
In his announcement today, the Prime Minister had also stated hospitals were now 40 percent busier than they had been during the first wave.
Indeed, in the Government’s latest data, 2,434 patients had been admitted to hospital in the last 24 hours.
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Coronavirus: Hospitals have seen levels rise to levels not seen (Image: PA)
Coronavirus: Matt Hancock has stated the NHS has become stretched (Image: PA)
There are currently 23,823 patients in hospital with 1,847 using ventilation systems in the UK.
Due to this, health professionals have warned hospitals are now at breaking point and welcomed the increase in restrictions.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, British Medical Association chair said: “It’s clear that we need a major intervention to bring down the spread of this virus, especially the new more aggressive variant, given that the NHS in on the brink – currently facing exponential demand for care beyond what can be supplied in many places.
“Hospitals are stretched to breaking point, with doctors reporting unbearable workloads as they take on more Covid-19 admissions alongside the growing backlog of people who need other, non-Covid care.
The new coronavirus rules (Image: Express)
“Doctors are desperate, with some even comparing their working environment to a warzone as wards overflow, waiting lists grow, and ambulances queue outside hospitals because there are now so many people with Covid-19.
“As a result, the NHS is currently facing a perfect storm of immense workload and staff burnout and more cases expected as we see the impact of Christmas on infection rates.”
After announcing the new lockdown measures, the Prime Minister will make an announcement to MPs on Wednesday.
Coronavirus: Hospitals have become overwhelmed (Image: PA)
Despite the country entering another lockdown, a YouGov poll showed 51 percent of adults said they ‘strongly support’ a third national lockdown.
Of the 1,592 asked on January 4, before Mr Johnson’s announcement, 28 percent said they ‘somewhat support’ the lockdown, nine percent were ‘somewhat opposed’, seven were strongly against and just six did not know.
