Responding to the briefing from Prof Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, said:

“Today’s briefing underlined that we are in it for the long haul with COVID-19.

“We are now beginning to see an increase in the number of hospitalisations during the second wave, and there is a risk that the number of deaths may again rise.

“Trusts have learnt a lot over the past few months in terms of better treatments and how to balance COVID and non COVID care.

“But the challenges they face are formidable as they work to restore routine services, while dealing with more COVID-19 cases and the added pressures of winter.

“There is also the indirect impact of the pandemic in terms of people’s mental health, and the wider social and economic disruption that threatens to widen health inequalities and increase demand for care in hospitals and mental health, community and ambulance services.

“There can be no doubting that NHS staff will do all they can – but they have already been through so much and there are continuing shortages.

“There is a lot riding on public support and in people playing their part to follow the rules to help protect themselves, and others and the NHS.

“This also relies on an effective Test and Trace system that people trust and support, to help bear down on the virus.

“We look forward to hearing next steps by the government.”