100K CASES

BORIS Johnson yesterday signalled he might delay Freedom Day as scientists warned daily cases could surge to 100,000 next month.

Although the Prime Minister would not be drawn on tomorrow’s roadmap announcement, he said rising hospitalisations were “a matter of serious, serious concern”.

And he admitted he was less optimistic about lifting all restrictions on June 21 than he was in May. This could mean pushing back plans to unlock fully into July.

The latest polling from market researcher Opinium showed 54% of the public would be in favour of delay, with 37% against.

Around 90% of new infections are now the Delta variant, with cases doubling every nine days.

And more infections means a higher risk of mutations turning into jab-resistant variants, said UCL virologist Professor Deenan

Pillay. Independent SAGE’s Professor Anthony Costello, also of University College London, said the real number of new infections was likely to be twice the 8,000 new daily cases revealed by tests.

He added: “In a month you’ll be up to 100,000 new cases a day. If the Government takes a gamble and lets rip like Tory backbenchers want, the NHS will be overloaded. Let’s wait. Let’s stay as we are.”

Shadow Home Secretary Nick

Thomas-Symonds said: “Any delay would be a huge blow for many families and businesses. The fault lies squarely with ministers.

“They continued with a reckless border policy that let the Delta variant reach here and spread.”

If infections continue to rise, hospitalisations could hit 2,000 a day – twice the usual number during a bad winter before Covid.

British Medical Association boss Dr Chaand Nagpaul added: “It’s not just about... hospitalisations, but also the risk to large numbers of younger people, who can suffer long-term symptoms.”

Independent SAGE scientists warned schools must reintroduce masks as 136,000 children are now absent, either because they have Covid or are isolating after contact with someone who has it.

Fewer patients are ending up in hospital thanks to jabs – and those that do get out faster. But more are