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Hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people living in coronavirus hotspots could be told to “protect themselves” this winter as infections continue to rise.
Ministers are expected to describe a local three-level lock system next week, so you can see those most at risk if they detect COVID-19 to be told to stay home for a month.
The decision on shielding has not been finalized and may be delayed due to fears for the mental health of those who are told to avoid seeing other people, The Times reports.
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Around 2.2 million people in England deemed “clinically extremely vulnerable” were asked to protect themselves at the height of the coronavirus pandemic before the plan was “stopped” at the end of July.
The report comes amid calls for the government to take swift action to curb the spread of the virus, after another 17,540 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported Thursday.
Professor John Edmunds, a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), said the coronavirus was “pointing a gun” at Boris Johnson’s head because of the restrictions that were being introduced.
He added that the nation faces anxious wait to see the full impact on the NHS.
Professor Edmunds said: “In the north of England now, we are not that far from the health service being stretched.
“Because even if we turn the epidemic around now, the infections that occur today will not go to the hospital for a week or two.”
Dr Stephen Griffin, associate professor at the University of Leeds School of Medicine, said the increase in cases should “serve as a warning to the government to take further action without delay.”
“It is clear that the consequences of not suppressing infections sufficiently during the summer can be severe if we cannot overcome this increase,” he said.
MPs representing constituencies in the Midlands and the North of England, where the number of cases is highest, were briefed by Senior Scientific Adviser Professor Chris Whitty on Thursday.
One of those who joined the call said it was implied that the NHS might not cope if the number of cases continues to rise in the areas.
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They told the PA news agency that they were shown a graph with an initial analysis from Public Health England suggesting that hospitality is one of the main causes of the spread of the infection.
The government is reportedly planning to order the temporary closure of pubs, bars and restaurants in coronavirus hot spots, and ministers are considering new financial packages to help the hardest hit areas and industries.
Regional leaders have criticized the government for not consulting them before the changes.
Nottingham council leader David Mellen said delays in implementing restrictions were placing “an unnecessarily huge burden on local resources,” as statistics show. the city has the highest rate of COVID-19 in England, from 112.3 cases per 100,000 to 689.1 per 100,000 in the seven days prior to October 5.
News broke Thursday that the city would know what restrictions would be imposed on Monday, prompting the council to fear that people would think the weekend “is the last chance before Christmas” to have a party.
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Hospitality workers and premises owners in the north of England are demanding clarity from the government after being told they could close next Monday.
Paul Askew, head chef at the Art School restaurant in Liverpool, said: “It feels like the guillotine is about to fall. “
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer, writing in the Daily Telegraph, said the government had “lost control of the virus” and urged ministers to “control” it.
He wrote: “It was an act of great irresponsibility on the part of anonymous sources Number 10 to inform some newspapers on Thursday about plans to impose more restrictions on millions of people, without any details, without any consultation and without any statement from the Prime Minister.
“This has significantly increased the sense of confusion, chaos and injustice in the approach that is being taken.”
Meanwhile, the Royal College of Anesthetists (RCoA) and the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine said a “worrying” increase in coronavirus patients admitted to hospital is putting pressure on intensive care units, which could lead to a further increase in surgical waiting lists.
NHS England data released Thursday showed the number of people waiting more than a year to start hospital treatment is at its highest level since 2008, with some 111,026 people waiting more than 52 weeks to start hospital treatment in August. .
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Comes like new harsh restrictions introduced for Scottish pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes come into effect from 18:00 on Friday.
Most places in the country will only be allowed to operate indoors between 6 am and 6 pm and they will not serve alcohol, but they will be able to sell drinks until 10 pm in outdoor areas.
However, licensed pubs and restaurants in five health board areas in the central belt will be forced to close for 16 days starting Friday night.
Establishments in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley can only provide takeout during this time with temporary measures scheduled to end on October 25.
And travelers returning to England, Wales and Northern Ireland from The Greek Islands Lesbos, Tinos, Serifos, Santorini and Zakynthos will no longer need to isolate themselves.
Scotland has yet to confirm whether to do the same.
It follows a drop in new coronavirus infections in popular tourist destinations and will take effect at 4 a.m. Saturday.
