We’re seeing a very rapid rise in the number of people testing positive with COVID-19.
NHS leaders say this is now translating into a rapid rise in hospital admissions, particularly across the North West, North East and Yorkshire. Some hospitals in those areas now have more COVID patients than they did in the first phase.
Some hospitals in those areas now have more COVID patients than they did in the first phase.
We must take this seriously. Prompt action is vital if we are to going to stop the rapid spread of COVID. We need to take difficult decisions now, bringing in further appropriate measures to quickly reduce the spread of the virus, before it is too late.
We also need every single member of the public to play their part – rigorous hand hygiene, wearing a mask in public and following the advice on social distancing. Just as they did in the first phase of COVID. No matter how frustrating restrictions feel.
We need to give the NHS the best chance we can as we go into winter, our busiest time of year. We owe this to our frontline NHS staff who have been fighting day in, day out, to keep people safe, whether COVID or non-COVID."
This was first published in the Daily Express newspaper.