[ad_1]
Tighter coronavirus restrictions could be expanded to more areas in England as daily recorded cases continue to rise and hospitals report a record number of patients treated for the virus.
Possible changes in COVID-19 The level areas were discussed when Prime Minister Boris Johnson chaired a meeting of ministers on Tuesday.
Sky News understands that keeping schools closed after the Christmas break was also on the agenda.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock will announce any changes to tier assignments in a statement to MPs Wednesday.
England’s tiered system of restrictions overhaul continues to more areas went to level 4 on Boxing Day.
More than six million people in the east and south-east of England moved to the top tier on Saturday, and ministers decided to act quickly rather than wait for the next scheduled review of tier assignments.
Currently, 24 million people, 43% of the population, are at Level 4.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
London doctor: ‘The situation is critical’
The number of positive daily tests has continued to increase, reaching 53,135 on Tuesday, a cool high.
The total was likely inflated by a delay in reporting due to Christmas, and Tuesday’s figures include people who tested positive before Dec. 25.
However, Dr Susan Hopkins of Public Health England said the figures were “largely a reflection of a real increase”.
He said the “unprecedented levels of COVID-19 infection in the UK” are cause for “extreme concern.”
Five of the seven NHS regions in England currently report a record number of hospital patients with coronavirus.
The number of NHS beds occupied by COVID-19 patients in England on Tuesday was 21,787, compared to 20,426 on Monday – an increase of 1,361 in a single day.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
‘Hospitals under immense pressure’
In London, the number of patients hospitalized with the virus is now higher than during the first peak.
Figures from the NHS England show there were 5,371 COVID patients in the capital at 8am on December 29.
During the first wave, the number in London peaked at 5,201 on April 9.
A London paramedic told Sky News how he cared for patients in the back of his ambulance because there was “just nowhere to go”.
Meanwhile, the NHS trust in charge of Southend Hospital has asked staff to defer annual leave to “help support colleagues.”
