Fears are mounting that Londoners may not be able to meet their families at Christmas due to the alarming rise in coronavirus cases.
As it stands, all of England will be allowed to gather in a one-off Christmas bubble for up to three families from December 23-27.
But as Covid-19 cases continue to rise, especially in the capital, the NHS chief has warned that this lockdown truce may need to be revised within days.
Chris Hobson, CEO of NHS Providers, wrote an urgent letter to Boris Johnson Any relaxation may “lead to a third wave,” warning Everyday Mirror Reports.
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“We are not calling for a change of regulations at this point, but this is something I think we will need to look into over the next few days,” Hobson told Sky News.
His message to the Prime Minister added: “Leaders of confidence are concerned that if infection rates remain as high as they are at the present time, easing restrictions will lead to a third wave.”
Ministers plan to review England’s closing levels on Wednesday (16 December) and some fear London could be placed in Level 3 – the tougher tier.
(Photo: PA Wire / PA Images)
The capital is currently at Level 2, along with most of the country.
Hopson warned people that just because they were allowed to see elderly relatives, that didn’t mean it would be safe.
“We need to have a much better discussion about the risks of what will happen over Christmas,” he told Sky. “We are very concerned.”
He added, “Everyone is working now on the basis that since the rules are in place, they will be fine if they stick to the rules and that is not the case at all.
“Any additional social contact, especially with people at risk from the virus, is likely to be a real problem.”
A government spokeswoman said the ministers “will not hesitate to take the necessary measures to protect local communities” and that decisions are made based on the latest available data.
“We have introduced tight domestic restrictions to protect the progress made during the national restrictions, reduce the pressure on the NHS and ultimately save lives,” the spokeswoman said.
“On top of our record investment in the NHS, this winter we’re providing an additional £ 3 billion to maintain the independent sector and capacity for Nightingale Hospital and a further £ 450 million to modernize and expand A & Es.”
In Hafring – the hardest-hit area in London – another 1,188 cases of the virus were recorded in the area last week, compared to 785 the previous week.
The infection rate in Hovering – expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people – is now 430.7, up from 302.4 in the previous seven days.
The numbers also make the region the eighth hardest hit in England, according to an analysis of the latest government data for the seven days through December 7.
Waltham Forest ranks second on the London current infection rates table, at 352.7.
Barking and Dagenham (339.6 points up from 279.0); And the Redbridge (332.9, up from 279) in England’s top 20 hit areas.
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