Responding to the findings from the React-1 study and the growing debate over national versus local restrictions, the director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, Miriam Deakin, said:

“Given the rising rates of infection and growing pressures on bed occupancy, we would urge the government to take a cautious and pre-emptive approach which means being tougher and quicker in its response.

“We don’t have enough information to say whether it’s time to move to a national lockdown, and we completely recognise the gravity and impact of such a decision.

“However, to ensure the NHS is able to maintain high quality care for patients, COVID and non-COVID, politicians must be ready to make tough decisions early rather than late.”