UK Covid alert level raised to 5 as highest-ever infection stats announced
THE UK's Covid alert level has been raised to 5 as the nation grapples with a devastating new wave of the epidemic which has caused case numbers to spiral out of control.
Keir Starmer demands Boris Johnson lockdown country 'now'
Level 5 is the highest level in the UK Government's Covid alert system. The threat level is different from the tier system. It comes as Boris Johnson is poised to issue an update to the nation tonight at 8pm with many expecting the Prime Minister to announce a third national lockdown.
The alert level system was introduced in May in order to help decide the range of social distancing measures used.
In Level 5, the Government states there is a material risk to healthcare services being overwhelmed.
The UK's chief medical officers released a statement today, stating the health system would be overwhelmed in three weeks if no further measures are made.
They said: "Cases are rising almost everywhere, in much of the country driven by the new more transmissible variant.
"We are not confident that the NHS can handle a further sustained rise in cases and without further action there is a material risk of the NHS in several areas being overwhelmed over the next 21 days."
Two new strains of the virus, one in the South East of England and a second from South Africa, have both caused case level to rise rapidly.
Due to the strain spreading across the country, the UK Government stated there had been 58,784 new cases.
In terms of when a positive test was reported, today's figure is the highest ever recorded in the UK.
The total number of cases now stands ar 2,713,563 while deaths also rose by 407 to 75,431.
JUST IN: Brexit LIVE: Heseltine compares Rejoin EU campaign to SNP
The high case numbers and the UK's R-rate are the key factors in raising the alert level.
The infection rate, which needs to be kept below one to stop the spread of the virus, is estimated between 1.1-1.3.
Due to the rising case levels across the country, experts have called on the Government to institute a third national lockdown.
Ahead of tonight's announcement, a No10 spokesman stated further steps must now be taken to stop the spread of the contagion.
DON'T MISS
Macron crisis: French President braces for more protests in Paris [Latest]
Here's how Trump could do it again, says COLIN REED [Comment]
The two early COVID symptoms that may be 'dark horses' [Insight]
They said today: "The spread of the new variant of COVID-19 has led to rapidly escalating case numbers across the country.
"The Prime Minister is clear that further steps must now be taken to arrest this rise and to protect the NHS and save lives."
In London and the South East, the new strain has caused seven-day case levels to rise to above 800 per 100,000 people.
Surrounding areas in the south have also seen case levels to rise to between 400-799 due to the new strains.
After Mr Johnson's announcement tonight, MPs will be recalled to the Commons on Wednesday to debate the new restrictions.
Mr Johnson's announcement on Monday evening comes as Nicola Sturgeon announced another lockdown north of the border.
The new lockdown will make it a legal requirement for the public to remain at home.
She addressed Holyrood today, where she informed MSPs of the dire situation.
Ms Sturgeon said: "It is no exaggeration to say that I am more concerned about the situation we face now than I have been at any time since March last year."
The high case numbers come as the UK began the rollout of the AstraZeneca and Oxford University vaccine.
While it was praised by health leaders, the Prime Minister warned the UK is set for a tough period in its fight against the virus.