Cases slowing but ‘we must stick to curbs’

THE virus spread is slowing in some hotspots but accelerating elsewhere, a top health official warned yesterday.

Dr Susan Hopkins, Public Health England’s strategic director for Covid-19, said she believes restrictions should not be eased earlier than planned on July 19 so more people can be fully vacinated.

She said jabs and new treatments would help society live with the virus but hinted at further lockdowns.

Dr Hopkins, inset, told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show there were “signals in some areas of slowing down. Bolton for example has definitely reversed, Blackburn with Darwen has stabilised.” But parts of London and the Northeast “are still rising”.

Asked how many people need to be fully inoculated for curbs to end, Dr Hopkins said she would like to see all over-40s offered both doses by July 19 – plus as many over-30s as possible.

A study of 40,000 people will see if daily tests might free people from isolation, particularly who have had both doses.

Dr Hopkins added: “We may have to do further lockdowns this winter. It really depends on whether the hospitals start to become overwhelmed.”