Coronavirus czar urges immediate decision to curb rocketing covid
Coronavirus director Nachman Ash told the ministers to hurry up and decide between two options – a three-week total lockdown or a longer, five-week spell of tightened restrictions. At all events, the decision must be taken now, he said, since the coronavirus infection is rocketing – 3,594 new cases on Monday with 4,2pc testing positive. There are now 27,628 active patients, with the number of seriously ill steadily mounting to 472 with 118 on ventilators. The death toll now stands at 3,111. The second day of the vaccination drive saw the rush of high-risk patients overwhelming inoculation facilities, with many told to wait for their turn next month.