Health officials have warned the coronavirus pandemic could last for another year.
A leaked Public Health England document says 80% in the country are expected to contract the virus, with more than 8 million expected to need a hospital bed, the Guardian reports .
In the briefing, health experts admit for the first time that COVID-19 could spread around Britain for another 12 months, taking the virus into a second winter and putting a huge strain on NHS resources.
The document indicates health chiefs are preparing for four out of five people to contract the virus.
Previously, England's chief medical officer Professior Chris Whitty, had said an 80% contraction rate would be a 'worst-case scenario' but the PHE document says 80% are 'expected' to get coronavirus.
It says "As many as 80% of the population are expected to be infected with Covid-19 in the next 12 months, and up to 15% (7.9 million people) may require hospitalisation."
So far, Covid-19 has led to 35 deaths in the United Kingdom. There are 1,391 confirmed cases, although the true figure is likely to be much higher.
The United Kingdom is in the 'delay' stage of its four-phase pandemic fighting plan. Schools remain open, while huge gatherings like concerts and sports fixtures are allowed to go ahead.
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected today to discuss stricter measures to tackle the virus when the UK's emergency Cobra committee meets.
Mass gatherings could be banned, over-70s asked to stay at home and fines introduced for those who refuse to isolate when required.
