Everything you need to know as Sheffield and South Yorkshire could go into Tier 4

The Government is set to expand the toughest coronavirus restrictions to millions more in England today as recorded case numbers escalate and hospitals report record numbers of patients being treated for the virus.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock is expected to announce any changes to the tier allocations in a statement to MPs today.

Sheffield remained in Tier 3 following a review on December 17, and has remained that way over the Christmas period.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson chaired a meeting of the Government’s Covid-19 Operations committee on Tuesday evening, when changes to the tier system were discussed.

With case rates rising in all regions of England, as well as the number of Covid-19 patients in hospitals, any review is likely to involve areas moving up a tier rather than down.

Matt Hancock has said he will be announcing further measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 following the latest rise in the number of cases.

“We are facing a very significant challenge in the NHS right now,” he told Sky News.

“There has been a significant rise in the number of cases – the highest number of cases recorded yesterday, 53,000 cases.

“We are going to have to take further action. I’m going to set that out the House of Commons later today.”

The number of cases iin Sheffield has risen by almost a third in a week, the latest figures show.

The latest data for patients admitted in Sheffield Teaching Hospitals provided on December 20, shows a daily rate of 25 patients and 155 over the week, which is a rise of 18.4 per cent.

The figures show 1,137 people tested positive which is 175.6 per 100,000, a rise of 29.6 per cent.

Twelve more die in South Yorkshire, updated figures show

The review of England’s tiered system of restrictions which could be introduced within days will be announced in the House of Commons after 2.30pm this afternoon.

It follows more areas being moved into Tier 4 on Boxing Day.

There are now more people in hospital with Covid in England than at any point previously during the pandemic, including the peak of the first wave.

A record 53,135 new Covid cases were reported on Tuesday - the highest single day rise since mass testing began. A further 414 deaths were also reported.

The 17 postcodes which could send Sheffield into Tier 4 lockdown

Five of the seven NHS regions in England are currently reporting a record number of hospital patients: Eastern England, London, the Midlands, southeast England and southwest England

Some areas will most likely be placed under Tier 4, but there is also speculation that the government could introduce a new, more restrictive Tier 5, with schools likely forced to close.

– What is Tier 4?

Under the new Tier 4, non-essential shops, gyms, cinemas, hairdressers and bowling alleys will be forced to close for two weeks.

Pubs, bars and restaurants will be closed except for takeaways, drive-throughs and deliveries.

People should not mix with anyone outside their own household, although support bubbles will remain in place and two people from different households can meet in public outdoor spaces.