Responding to the latest figures from NHS Test and Trace, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson said:

"It is really encouraging to see a 9% decrease in the number of positive cases of COVID-19 across the country this week, particularly given that the number of people tested remained steady.

"While overall, we are past the peak of the second wave, it is important to not be complacent as local outbreaks continue and in some areas the number of cases are still rising and trusts remain under real pressure.

While overall, we are past the peak of the second wave, it is important to not be complacent as local outbreaks continue and in some areas the number of cases are still rising and trusts remain under real pressure.

"There has been a significant increase in the number of close contacts identified this week, but the proportion of those close contacts reached remains at only 60%. This means another 138,000 close contacts were not reached this week.

"The amount of time taken for Pillar 2 test results to be returned continues to slowly improve, with a quarter of people now receiving their results in 24 hours but we need this to improve more rapidly.

"As national lockdown ends, we welcome the news today of stringent measures to help keep stemming the tide of the number of cases of COVID."