UK coronavirus alert level moving to 4 as cases continue to rise

The UK's coronavirus alert level is to be raised from level 3 to 4 due to fears about the rising infection rate.
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The UK's Covid-19 alert level should be increased to level 4, meaning transmission of the virus is “high or rising exponentially”, the chief medical officers of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have said.

It comes after Sir Patrick Vallance warned the "vast majority of the population remain susceptible" to catching coronavirus, and the current situation required swift action to bring the case numbers down.

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He added the UK could see 50,000 new coronavirus infections every day by mid-October if the current rate of infection is not halted, which could translate into 200 deaths each day by mid-November.

The UK's Covid-19 alert level should be increased to level 4, the chief medical officers of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have said.The UK's Covid-19 alert level should be increased to level 4, the chief medical officers of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have said.
The UK's Covid-19 alert level should be increased to level 4, the chief medical officers of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have said.

The CMOs' statement, which was released this afternoon (September 21), read: "After a period of lower COVID cases and deaths, the number of cases are now rising rapidly and probably exponentially in significant parts of all four nations.

"If we are to avoid significant excess deaths and exceptional pressure in the NHS and other health services over the autumn and winter everyone has to follow the social distancing guidance, wear face coverings correctly and wash their hands regularly.

"We know this will be a concerning news for many people; please follow the rules, look after each other and together we will get through this."

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In response, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the joint statement reflected a "significant shift" in the "current threat posed by coronavirus".

"This country now faces a tipping point in its response and it is vital everybody plays their part now to stop the spread of the virus and protect lives," he added.

"The first line of defence has always been all of us playing our part, remembering hands, face and space, the rule of six and self-isolation of those who risk passing on the virus."

The alert level was last changed on Friday, June 19 when it was lowered from from 4 to 3. Prior to this, the alert level had been at 4 since the system was set up in May.

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