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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Andrew Stuart

Dr Hilary issues stark warning that 'Christmas is not an exception'

Dr Hilary issued a start warning to Brits this morning as the UK battles to keep coronavirus under control.

With more areas heading into higher tiers on the Covid alert scale, and rising numbers of cases and deaths, Dr Hilary warned that the whole of England could be moved into Tier 3.

The latest figures released by the UK government reveal that there were 22,885 new cases of Covid across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland yesterday (October 27).

367 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were recorded yesterday too. The total number of deaths within 28 days of a positive test was 45,365.

The number of deaths is the highest daily figure since May 27, when 422 deaths were reported.

More areas moved into Tier 3 this week, including Warrington in Cheshire. Parts of Nottinghamshire are due to move in on Thursday.

With Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and South Yorkshire already in Tier 3, the latest changes will mean 8.2 million people in England living with major curbs on their freedoms.

And Dr Hilary warned on Good Morning Britain this morning that further restrictions could be coming across England - and that people should not be complacent.

He said: "This is the worst pandemic for over 100 years, we're still there.

"We can't rely too heavily on a vaccine. We don't know whether that will be effective, we hope it will save people dying, but it probably won't stop infection.

"People are working on it around the clock around the world.

"And I think we still need to rely on the basic principles, which is hands face space.

He added: "If we all do that, and we're realistic, and we don't say, you know, but Christmas is an exception, because if we make Christmas an exception, unfortunately, every little celebration will be an exception.

"A birthday will be an exception, Friday night will be an exception, a promotion will be an exception.

"If you keep making exceptions to the rules, that's how the pandemic spreads. And that's the reality of it."

Coronavirus outbreak: Number of deaths and cases in the UK (October 28)

He did have some relatively good news to share with the nation as well, as he revealed the methods medics are using to treat those who are hospitalised due to Covid - but warned the patient age is getting younger.

He told viewers: "We've learned more about the virus, there's still more to learn.

"But we know that rather than put people on ventilators straightaway, oxygen therapy is the key thing.

"Give people oxygen with machines which are less invasive than ventilators is the way forward [and it] seems to be saving lives.

"And yes, the mortality in people in ICU and in critical care isn't as bad as it was in the first wave.

"However, we're seeing a younger population in those beds.

Good Morning Britain is on ITV every weekday from 6am.

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