The UK recorded 367 deaths from coronavirus, the highest figure since the end of May, along with another 22,885 cases. Now Government advisers have urged the Prime Minister to curb the spread of the virus by introducing harsh new measures. It comes as Mr Johnson has received warnings across the UK on hospital capacity and about the impact of lockdowns on the north of England.
The Scientific Advisor Group for Emergencies have modelled data showing the UK’s total deaths will be higher than it was in Spring.
While the daily death rate will be lower than it was during Spring, SAGE have predicted it will stay consistent for longer, leading to more deaths in the second wave.
A source close to SAGE said to the Telegraph: “It’s going to be worse this time, more deaths.
“That is the projection that has been put in front of the Prime Minister, and he is now being put under a lot of pressure to lock down again.”
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SAGE has warned Mr Johnson all of England will need to be under tier three restrictions by mid-December.
Tier three restrictions see a region forced to ban household mixing indoors and outdoors, in addition to pubs and bars unable to serve food ordered to close their doors.
A Government spokesperson added to the Independent, in regards to the SAGE warnings: “We have consistently taken advice from a wide range of scientific and medical experts to inform government decision-making throughout the pandemic.
“The latest figures are concerning which is why we have introduced stronger measures to curb the spread of the virus in the areas where it is most prevalent. It is vital that everyone continues to play their part by following these rules, so we can save lives and protect the NHS.”
Mr Johnson has not ruled out a second nationwide lockdown, but has stressed it is a “last resort” for the Government.
The Prime Minister has also been urged by Tory MPs to publish “public-friendly” data on the UK’s route out of lockdown.
Jake Berry, a former minister, has urged Mr Johnson to publish information in an “easily digestible, consumer-facing, public-friendly way” to show the UK’s progress in fighting the virus.
Mr Berry, along with 55 Tory MPs in the Northern Research Group, have also expressed fears the Prime Minister’s election agenda to “level up” the north is being abandoned.
In another warning to the Prime Minister over the upcoming winter months, hospitals in the north are struggling to manage an increase in coronavirus hospitalisations.
The Telegraph reported an internal memo from from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust claimed non-COVID treatments are being suspended again to cope with the surge in virus patients.
David Berridge, the Trust’s deputy chief medical officer who wrote the memo, warned they had seen a 78 percent increase in coronavirus admissions.
He added it seemed very likely “Leeds will move into Tier 3” in the coming weeks.
