COVID-19: Second national lockdown likely in UK

A demonstrator holds a placard at a protest action against restrictions imposed during the pandemic, outside Downing Street, London on October 10. Pic/AFP

A leading scientist in the United Kingdom has said a national lockdown is possible as cases are rising and even the hospitalisation of COVID-19 patients, reported BBC.

"We really need to provide care to everybody - those with COVID-19 and those without. The way to do that is to keep the numbers down," Professor Peter Horby, chair of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group and a government adviser, said.

One of the main medical advisers to the British government has warned that the UK is at a "tipping point" in its battle against the pandemic just like in March. Johnson is on Monday expected to impose additional restrictions in areas where the virus has been spreading fastest in recent weeks.

The UK has experienced Europe's deadliest outbreak with over 42,750 deaths. England's deputy chief medical officer, Professor Jonathan Van-Tamlaid out his hope that history won't repeat itself in light of better testing and treatments, as well as greater knowledge of the virus itself.

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