Coronavirus LIVE: Sir Patrick Vallance warns UK facing 50,000 Covid-19 cases a day

Professor Chris Whitty said that the country stands at a “critical point” in the fight against Covid-19 in a press conference addressing the nation today (September 21).
By Lloyd Bent
Published 21st Sep 2020, 09:17 BST
Updated 21st Sep 2020, 14:16 BST
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The press conference laid the foundations for strict new restrictions in a bid to limit the spread of infections, as a second wave of the virus surges in the country, with both Professor Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance speaking of restricting contact between people.

In a televised briefing this morning at 11am the chief medical officer said: "The trend in the UK is heading in the wrong direction and we are at a critical point in the pandemic.

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"We are looking at the data to see how to manage the spread of the virus ahead of a very challenging winter period."

The government's chief medical officer Chris Whitty (left) and chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance arrive in Downing Street, London, ahead of a briefing to explain how the coronavirus is spreading in the UK and the potential scenarios that could unfold as winter approaches.The government's chief medical officer Chris Whitty (left) and chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance arrive in Downing Street, London, ahead of a briefing to explain how the coronavirus is spreading in the UK and the potential scenarios that could unfold as winter approaches.
The government's chief medical officer Chris Whitty (left) and chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance arrive in Downing Street, London, ahead of a briefing to explain how the coronavirus is spreading in the UK and the potential scenarios that could unfold as winter approaches.

Professor Whitty, accompanied by chief scientific advisor Sir Patrick Vallance, explained how the virus is spreading and outlined potential measures that could be put in place in order to try to stop this.

Follow this live log for regular updates on what is announced.

Related topics:Chris WhittyCovid-19