Covid 19 coronavirus: UK science advisers warn public on infection rates

People sit and stand around the Anteros statue by the big advertising screens in the Piccadilly Circus area of central London. Photo / AP

Britain's top medical adviser says the country has, in a "very bad sense," turned a corner on Covid-19 infection rates, with figures suggesting there will be an exponential growth in the disease unless action is taken.

Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty told the public on Monday that rates are going in the "wrong direction" amid expectations the government is preparing to announce new measures to control the pandemic.

"We have in a very bad sense, literally turned a corner," after weeks of increasing infection rates.

Whitty said that if nothing is done, new infections will rise to 49,000 a day by mid-October. Hospitalisations are also doubling in seven to eight days — leading to more deaths.

There was also no indication that the virus had lessened in severity, he said. "We see no evidence that this is true."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson huddled with ministers over the weekend to discuss how the government will respond to the recent rise in cases, which has pushed infection rates to levels last seen in May. Later this week the government is expected to announce a slate of short-term restrictions that will act as a "circuit breaker" to slow the spread of the disease.

People sit outside on a street closed to traffic to try to reduce the spread of coronavirus so bars, cafes and restaurants can continue to stay open, in the Soho area of central London. Photo / AP

The government is hoping to keep that number from climbing back to the peak levels of early April, when more than 5,000 cases a day were being reported.

While death rates have remained relatively low so far, public health officials warn that deaths are likely to rise in coming weeks.

The UK reported a seven-day average of 21 deaths a day last week, compared with a peak of 942 on April 10.

The government last week imposed tighter restrictions on communities in northeastern England, where the infection rate first began to rise. Bars and restaurants in those areas must now close between 10 pm and 5 am and people are prohibited from socialising with individuals from other households.

The rise in infection rates comes as lawmakers across the political spectrum criticise the government's testing program. While government ministers tout the record numbers of tests being performed, there are widespread reports of people having to travel hundreds of miles for tests and tests being voided because it is taking labs too long to process them.

An effective testing program is seen as essential to controlling the pandemic because it allows the government to track infections and inform people when they should self-isolate.

- AP