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

“It is very worrying to see such a large increase in the number of people testing positive with COVID-19.

“Trust chief executives across the North West, North East and Yorkshire are telling us that COVID-related hospital admissions are rapidly rising as well.

“We need prompt action to prevent a full blown second COVID surge. We need to make difficult decisions now, rather than later, when it may be too late.

“And we need every single member of the public to play their part – hands, face and space – as they did in the first phase of COVID, however frustrating and burdensome they find any restrictions or public health advice.

“It’s also worrying that NHS Test and Trace performance in key areas such as the proportions of positive cases transferred into the Test and Trace system, of close contacts reached, and of tests turned round within 24 hours, are all getting worse when we need them to get better, quickly.”