Daily infections in the UK shot up to 2,988 on Sunday
Matt Hancock has admitted the rise in cases of Covid-19 recorded over the weekend is “concerning” but denies the government have lost control over the virus.
Recorded daily infections rose to 2,988 on Sunday – the highest figure since 22 May. The spike is not a result of children returning to school, Hancock said, as the effects of the start of term would not have appeared in testing results yet.
“The rise in the number of cases we have seen in the last few days is concerning. “It is concerning because we have seen a rise in cases in France, in Spain, in some other countries across Europe – nobody wants to see a second wave here,” the health secretary said, live on LBC radio.
Asked whether he had “lost control” of the pandemic, he said: “No, but the whole country needs to following social distancing.
“We can only do this as a whole society – everybody has a role to play.”
The numbers of young people being infected with the virus are rising, even in ‘affluent’ areas, and Hancock urged people to adhere to social distancing measures, warning them: “don’t infect your grandparents.”
“Over the summer we had particular problems in some of the areas that are most deprived,” said the health secretary.
“Actually, the recent increase we have seen in the last few days is more broadly spread.
“It’s actually among more affluent younger people where we have seen the rise.”
With many people seeking a Covid test being made to travel long distances to a centre, the health secretary admitted there are “problems” with the testing system.
“Over the summer we have seen demand for tests go up and so if your local centre is full then people were asked to go a long way,” he said.
“The vast majority of people get access to a test at their local testing centre and it is turned around very rapidly.
“But there have been problems and we are increasing capacity.”
Regarding a breakthrough with a vaccine, he said one would “most likely” be available in early 2021. The UK have ordered 30 million doses of the vaccine from pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, if it is approved.
“Should approval come through – and it’s still not certain but it is looking up – should that approval come through then we are ready to roll out,” said Mr Hancock.
You can watch Hancock’s full length phone-in on LBC below.
