THE number of daily Covid deaths have dramatically risen by 201 in just one day, after Boris Johnson revealed his winter Covid plan.
Brits are buckling up for a tough season of restrictions after the sharp rise in fatalities, while another 30,597 cases were recorded in the last 24 hour period.
It marks a considerable leap in Covid deaths over the last seven days, when the UK recorded 191 deaths and 38,975 positive cases.
Although infections have been dropping, it is feared the chequered figures are merely the calm before the storm of a harsh winter.
The death toll rose by 41 per cent in the last week – but the number of positive cases dropped by over 50 per cent.
But over the last seven days, hospital admissions have also increased.
It is hoped the vaccine rollout has stifled some of the spread – but the Prime Minister warned yesterday masks, working from home and even vaccine passports could return under the government’s winter plan.
He said he will arm the country with a “toolbox” of tough contingency measures that could be brought in at short notice to stop a fresh spike in cases.
He told a Downing Street briefing the plan will “give us the confidence that we don’t need to go back to the lockdowns of the past”.
Speaking in the Commons, Health Secretary Sajid Javid laid out the five-pronged strategy to keep the virus at bay as the NHS enters its seasonal surge.
It includes a vaccine booster blitz, test and trace, pumping £5billion into the NHS for the next six months, a flu jab campaign and keeping robust border controls.
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The PM said: “The result of this vaccination campaign is we have one of the most free societies and one of the most open economies in Europe.
“That’s why we’re now sticking with our strategy. In essence, we’re going to keep going.”
He thinks the jab rollout has put the country on a strong footing to weather the colder months – but warned restrictions could still return.
Mr Javid revealed the Government’s Plan B in case hospitals risk being swamped and cases spiral out of control.
He told MPs: “We have seen how quickly this virus can adapt and change so we have prepared a Plan B of contingency measures that we can call upon only if they are needed and supported by the data to prevent unsustainable pressure on the NHS.”
They include legally mandating face masks in crowded settings, stressing the need for caution and ordering people to work from home.
While hated vaccine passports will be shelved for now – Mr Javid warned they could be suddenly introduced with a week’s notice.
Covid certification would then be required for all nightclubs, any indoor venue with more than 500 people, any outdoor settings with more than 1,000 people.
Mr Javid also laid out the Government’s five-pronged Plan A to keep the virus at bay as the NHS enters its seasonal surge.
It includes a vaccine booster blitz, test and trace, pumping £5billion into the NHS for the next six months, a flu jab campaign and keeping robust border controls.
The PM said: “The result of this vaccination campaign is we have one of the most free societies and one of the most open economies in Europe.
“That’s why we’re now sticking with our strategy. In essence, we’re going to keep going.”
Doomster scientists are worried the NHS could be swamped with a Covid surge in the colder months as well as the usual seasonal flu outbreak.
Deputy chief medical officer Prof Jonathan Van Tam today warned this winter could be “bumpy”.
Outlining a perfect storm, Mr Javid said: “We must be vigilant as autumn and winter have favourable conditions for Covid-19 and other seasonal viruses.
“Children have returned to school, more people are returning to work.
“The changing weather means that there will be more people perhaps spending time indoors, and there’s likely to be a lot of non-Covid demand on the NHS including flu or norovirus.”
There is also concern that vaccine effectiveness against the Delta variant may be fading for older people who got jabbed at the start of the year.
Lockdown-hating Tory MPs were angry with the possibility of tighter measures returning in the coming months.
Former minister Sir Desmond Swayne erupted with a howl of anguish as Mr Javid warned that legal face coverings may be reimposed.
Ex-Cabinet Minister Esther McVey railed against “hugely damaging lockdowns and restrictions”.
A Tory rebellion is mounting against the PM’s wish to keep his emergency Covid powers – that allows him to plunge the country into lockdown.
BOOST FOR BRITAIN
Boffins from the JCVI held a separate press conference this morning fleshing out the details for the booster campaign.
Over-70s and the most vulnerable are expected to be jabbed first before descending in age order.
Last night the PM rolled the pitch to warn we’ll still be living with Covid for the foreseeable future.
He said: “The pandemic is far from over, but thanks to our phenomenal vaccine programme, new treatments and testing we are able to live with the virus without significant restrictions on our freedoms.
“Today I will set out a clear plan for the autumn and winter, when the virus has a natural advantage, to protect the gains we have made.”
