Matt Hancock says coronavirus is back ‘under control’ thanks to second lockdown

England has the coronavirus “back under control”, said Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

At a press conference in Downing Street, Hancock acknowledged that the new restrictions have been tough, but noted that the tougher measures have worked.

Hancock insisted that “there is hope on the horizon” as he repeated the government’s promise to implement massive tests in Level 3 areas.

But Hancock cautioned: “We don’t have a lot of headroom. We can’t risk cases spiking again, especially around Christmas and with flu season just around the corner.”

Earlier, Boris Johnson said that mass testing and the launch of any approved coronavirus vaccine will offer a way out of the toughest measures.

The prime minister said that the implementation of widespread tests for the virus “in increasing numbers”, alongside vaccines, would allow the UK to “reduce the virus and open up the economy to allow areas to fall to the levels where they’re. in, constantly progressing that way. “

England will re-enter the tier system in the coming days, and those in tier two and three will face significant restrictions in their daily lives.

Under the new England restrictions, only the Isle of Wight, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly will be under the lightest Tier 1 controls, while large swaths of the Midlands, Northeast and Northwest are at the most restrictive Tier 3.

Another 208 people who tested positive for coronavirus died at a hospital in England, while there were another 12,155 laboratory-confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK.

Mr. Hancock urged anyone who offered to take a test, saying it “could save a life.”

He said at the Downing Street press conference: “If you have Covid without symptoms and it still infects others, that is of course a silent danger.

“You wouldn’t know that you are risking lives around you.

“So everyone: if you are offered a test, please do it, it could save a life

Mr. Hancock said the progress made means that “while we can go down a little, we can’t afford to go down a lot.”

He said that about one in three people do not have any symptoms, but can still infect others, adding: “That is why even as we ease these national restrictions, we have to keep some restrictions in place.

“So while we can go down a bit, we can’t afford to go down a lot.

“The success of our collective efforts means that as of Wednesday everyone in England, even those on Level 3, can have greater freedoms, but we don’t have much headroom.”

He also noted the Government’s impact assessment on the need for a new tiered approach.

“It clearly shows that this action is necessary to avoid a much worse outcome, and we must be vigilant,” he said.

It came as it emerged that Boris Johnson would be forced to rely on the Labor Party for coronavirus restrictions in Parliament with as many as 100 Conservatives unhappy with the tiered system, a cabinet minister admitted.

George Eustice acknowledged that there is “great frustration” on conservative banks over the measures, which will see 99% of England face significant hospitality restrictions and mingle with other households.

Dozens of Conservative MPs have spoken out against the new system in England, which the government wants to put into effect on Wednesday when the national shutdown ends.

But despite offering them another chance to vote on the restrictions early next year, meaning the measures could expire on February 3, several said they still have reservations.

Labor is not expected to oppose the measures, which means Johnson should pass them in Parliament, but being forced to rely on decisions made by Sir Keir Starmer will prove uncomfortable for the Prime Minister.

Environment Secretary Mr. Eustice told Sky News that whip boss Mark Spencer would be trying to win the Conservative MPs round before the vote.

“I’ve seen suggestions that there could be up to 100 people who have concerns,” Eustice said.

That means “it will depend on what the Labor Party chooses to do”, but during a “national emergency” it would not be right to “play political games”.

Conservative MP Peter Bone said he is “undecided” and will be decided after seeing the impact assessment: “The dilemma I have is whether we do more damage with the tiered lockdown system, or we do less.”

Another senior Conservative supporter said his vote is “still in the balance,” as he urged Johnson to provide an analysis of how the tier restrictions will affect businesses, saying he has no confidence that the government is actually considering your needs.

Labor leader Sir Keir is expected to hold talks with England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, on Monday as he decides whether to support the tiered system of government.

The prime minister’s argument in favor of the strict restrictions will be fueled by new figures suggesting that coronavirus infections fell by nearly a third in England during the second national lockdown.

There was a 30% drop in cases across the country for nearly fifteen days this month, the latest interim findings from the React study from Imperial College London showed.

Regionally, research suggests that infections were cut by more than half in the Northwest and Northeast, and also in Yorkshire and the Humber. But the prevalence remained high in the East Midlands and West Midlands.

Professor Paul Elliott, director of the program at Imperial, said the findings suggest that levels before early November, followed by the shutdown, had helped reduce cases.

Elsewhere, Welsh pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes will be banned from serving alcohol and must close at 6pm due to new restrictions taking effect from Friday, Prime Minister Mark Drakeford announced.

Johnson wrote to would-be Tory rebels Saturday night, offering several olive branches to ensure his support for the system.

In addition to the post-Christmas vote, the prime minister said that in the first review of the measures on Dec. 16 he would move areas down to a level where there is “strong evidence” that the coronavirus is in sustained decline.

And Johnson promised to release more data and describe what circumstances need to change for an area to drop one notch. He also said that the government is looking for ways to improve communications so that the public can make better-informed decisions.

The letter contained additional commitments to provide regular updates on compliance rates, to make greater use of local public health teams to improve contact tracing, increase asymptomatic carrier testing, and improve the personalization of advice for those in increased risk.