Don’t wreck this now, warns Van-Tam

BRITONS have been warned not to ‘wreck this now’ after cases increased in a fifth of local authority areas.

England’s deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said he was worried we would ‘fall at the final furlong’.

His warning came after data showed that one in five local authorities in England have seen a rise in cases over the past week. Officials also said the virus was ‘burning quite hot’ in areas such as the Midlands.

Professor Van-Tam said: ‘Please don’t be tempted to think, “well, one home visit might be alright now the weather is getting better, going to be a nice weekend”… I’m afraid it does [matter].

‘This is all going very well but there are some worrying signs that people are relaxing, taking their foot off the brake at exactly the wrong time.’

His stark message comes ahead of a sunny weekend, when millions are expected to flock to parks and beauty spots.

Using one of his characteristic football analogies, the Boston United fan added: ‘It is a bit like being three-nil up in a game and thinking, “We can’t possibly lose this now”. But how many times have we seen the other side take it four-three?

‘Do not wreck this now. It is too early to relax. Just continue to maintain discipline and hang on just a few more months.

He added: ‘It is actually up to us whether we can hold our nerve and see this through properly... or whether we’re going to fall at the last furlong.’

Latest data from Public Health England shows that the nationwide decline in cases appears to be slowing. However, nearly one in five local authorities have seen a rise in case rates in the past week with several worrying hotspots developing in the Midlands.

Corby in Northamptonshire currently has the highest rate in England, with an infection rate of 333.7 cases per 100,000 people.

Commenting on the uptick, Professor VanTam said: ‘In some parts of the UK, case rates are changing, albeit slowly, in the wrong direction.

‘This is not a good sign and reinforces the fact that I’m afraid this battle, at the moment, is not won.’