Boris Johnson is set to review covid data at a briefing today to determine whether any new measures should be introduced to combat the threat of the Omicron variant.
Scientists have warned that even though the new variant appears to cause less severe illness, the number of cases and higher transmissibility means a small increase in those needing hospital treatment could overwhelm the NHS
However, The Times reports Ministers are said to be "increasingly optimistic, but very cautiously optimistic" about the data.
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A Whitehall source claimed: “It’s not just that there’s a clear gap between cases and hospitalisations, but also that when people are going into hospital they tend to be there for less time."
According to The Times, Ministers believe the disruption to significant life events should be avoided which means weddings and funerals will be exempt from any new measures introduced.
Boris Johnson will discuss the government's next move at a briefing later today after repeatedly stating he would not hesitate to act after Christmas if further measures are required to curb the spread of Omicron.
Sir Patrick Vallance and Professor Chris Whitty will join the virtual crunch meeting as they analyse the latest data.
The PM may bend to rebellious Tories' calls for no more restrictions or he may follow the advice from Government scientific advisers calling for tougher measures.
Tory MPs hoping to succeed the PM were warned to avoid backing tough measures, or risk damaging their chances to take Mr Johnson's job.
At the last Cabinet meeting, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps spoke out against strict measures.
According to reports in The Mirror last week, Mr Johnson is considering introducing placing England back into step two restrictions for between two weeks and one month.
Some scientists have long been calling for a circuit breaker lockdown, with Independent Sage saying it needed to be rolled out before Christmas for it to have any effect on curbing Omicron.
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