• The Downing Street press conference was led by the health and social care secretary Matt Hancock, and UK Health Security Agency chief executive Dr Jenny Harries.
• Latest data shows COVID-19 cases rising with 3,542 new cases – the highest since 12 April.
• Latest estimates indicate between half and three quarters of new cases are linked to the variant first identified in India.

Responding to today's Downing Street press conference, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

"It's deeply concerning that between half and three quarters of all new cases of COVID-19 are linked to the variant first identified in India. This variant could fast become the dominant strain if we don't take every measure possible to suppress its spread.

"As we highlighted earlier this week, and the health and social care secretary confirmed today, data on hospital cases seems to be focused amongst those patients who either haven't been vaccinated yet or had just one vaccine. This hammers home just how important it is get fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We urge everyone to get their jabs when they're offered them.

"Trust leaders will continue to closely monitor hospital cases in those areas most affected by the variant first identified in India and elsewhere. The next seven days will be crucial in determining whether the link between COVID and hospital admissions and deaths has been broken. We must remain vigilant."