A senior scientific advisor has said there is strong evidence the new coronavirus which causes Covid-19 thrives at a specific low temperature - meaning Britain could be in line for a second wave this winter.
The new virus is believed to thrive when temperatures hit 4C - which may be part of the reason there have been multiple outbreaks at meat processing plants.
The temperature is commonly seen in the winter months across the UK.
The expert told the Daily Mail : "We can get away with a lot at the moment because it is summer. It is really important that people get ready for the challenges that winter will undoubtedly bring."
Some areas could follow Leicester into a local lockdown if the rate of cases surges rapidly.
But a senior official said: "If the overall numbers increase, then I would expect to have to reimpose some national measures."
A recent surge in cases in Australia as the country heads into winter months has fulled speculation that climate is a major factor in the spread of coronavirus.
Melbourne, the country's second biggest city, has re-entered another six weeks in lockdown.
Around 75 new cases were reported on Monday followed by a spike of 73 on Tuesday.
The city has an average 13.5C while the average low temperature is 6C.
One meat plant in North WSsales, where the temperature is kept at 4C for hygiene reasons, saw well over 150 cases of coronavirus.
Wales saw well over 300 cases at multiple food factories.
A total of 165 people tested positive for Covid-19 following an outbreak at a meat processing plant in West Yorkshire.
Europe’s largest meat processing factory suffered a Covid-19 outbreak that resulted in approximately 7,000 people being quarantined in Germany.
Environment Secretary George Eustice told the Commons on that the outbreaks of Covid-19 at three meat processing factories in England and Wales are thought to be linked to canteens and car-sharing schemes.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted he is unsure what is causing outbreaks of coronavirus in meat processing plants.
He said one theory is that the cold environment in such factories may be helping Covid-19 while another is that staff could be “congregating in such a way as to spread the virus”.
