Prime Minister admits he will 'not hesitate' to put more restrictions in place as he urges people to follow new Covid-19 rules

The Prime Minister said that the latest increase in Covid-19 cases showed why the Government had been forced to bring in new restrictions in this evening’s coronavirus briefing.

Boris Johnson told a Downing Street news conference the country was at a “critical moment” and that he would not hesitate to a bring in new measures if required.

“If we put in the work together now then we give ourselves the best possible chance of avoiding that outcome and avoiding further measures,” he said.

“I know some people will think we should give up and let the virus take its course despite the huge loss of life that would potentially entail.

“I have to say I profoundly disagree. I don’t think that is what the British people want. I don’t think they want to throw in the sponge. They want to fight and defeat this virus and that is what we are going to do.”

In total, 239 of the 315 local authority areas in England recorded an increase in the weekly rate of new Covid-19 cases in the seven days to September 27.

The rate fell in 70 areas and was unchanged in six areas and new cases were recorded in all 315 local authority areas.

Chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty warned the number of coronavirus patients in hospitals and intensive care is increasing.

In the press conference, he said there was a “significant rise” in test positivity in Yorkshire, the north-east and north-west of England.

“This increase is accelerating quite rapidly in some of those areas,” Mr Whitty said.

He also confirmed that virus rates in school age children are stable and “are really not changing very much”.

But Mr Whitty said hospitalisation is rising, particularly in hotspots, though the figures remain “in a much lower level than at the beginning of April”.

Professor Whitty added: “We are pointing out that the direction of travel for both hospitals and intensive care is going in the wrong direction, particularly in these areas that have seen rapid increases in cases.”

Mr Johnson started the press conference by expressing how difficult it is for students starting university and said he is working to be able to get them home for Christmas.

In the Prime Minister’s address to the nation, encouraging them to ‘not give up’ he also pointed out that if the NHS is overwhelmed by coronavirus because people have flouted the new restrictions, then other aspects of healthcare would struggle too.

He told the public, "we will get through this", while asking the public to download the NHS track and trace app, and ensure they still continue to wash their hands, cover their faces and socially distance to slow the spread of the virus.

“I am absolutely confident that with better treatments and with the prospect of a vaccine we will get through this,” he told a No 10 news conference.

“Let’s follow the rules, wash our hands, cover our faces, observe social-distancing, download the app, and together we will fight back against this virus, protect the NHS and save more lives.”

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