Matt Hancock warns of second coronavirus peak as he imposes new restrictions on Lancashire town

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said that "just because we've come through one peak, it does not mean we cannot see another one coming" as he announced a host of new restrictions in a northern town with the highest rate of coronavirus cases in the country.
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Hospitality venues are being restricted to take away only in Bolton as part of new measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the town, Mr Hancock told MPs in a Commons statement.

All venues in the town, which has a rate of 120 cases per 100,000 people, the highest in the country, will have to close between 10pm and 5am and guidance about socialising outside people's household will become law.

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The Tory Minister said a rise in cases among young people around the world had later led to a rise in hospitalisations and deaths, with the hospitalisation rate in Spain rising 15 times since mid-July.

He told MPs: "This must be a moment of clarity for us all. This is not over. Just because we have come through one peak, doesn't mean we can't see another one coming towards our shores."

Matt Hancock, who said a recent rise in the Covid-19 rate nationwide was mostly based on a spread among young people, warned younger people that the "long-term effects can be terrible" for those who get Covid-19.

He told the Commons: "So it is critical that we maintain our collective commitment to controlling this disease, and social distancing is the first line of defence. While young people are less likely to die from this disease, be in no doubt that they are still at risk.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock, pictured earlier this year. Pic: PAHealth Secretary Matt Hancock, pictured earlier this year. Pic: PA
Health Secretary Matt Hancock, pictured earlier this year. Pic: PA
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"The long-term effects can be terrible and of course they can infect others. Six months on many people are still suffering from chronic fatigue, muscle pain, and breathing difficulties, previously fit and healthy people reduced to barely being able to function.

"A King's College survey published today shows that 300,000 people in the UK have reported symptoms lasting for more than a month and 60,000 people have been ill for more than three months."

Downing Street has said the Government is taking the latest rise in coronavirus cases "extremely seriously" and would not hesitate to introduce fresh restrictions if required.

Following reports that ministers are considering tightening restrictions on household gatherings, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "We are taking the rise in infections which has been reported in recent days extremely seriously.

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"Throughout the pandemic we have kept all of (the) regulations under review and we will not hesitate to act if further steps are needed to protect the NHS and to save lives."

Last week, young people in Leeds were urged to “recognise their own responsibility” in controlling the spread of the coronavirus following reports of an increase in house parties and illegal raves in the city.

Leeds, along with South Tyneside, Corby, Middlesbrough and Kettering, was placed on the Government’s “areas of concern” watchlist following a rise in Covid-19 cases.

Earlier this week, one Leeds’s most senior civil servants has claimed the city may have to face “movement restrictions” if the spread of Covid-19 continues to worsen.

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A meeting of councillors and council officers heard how, while clusters of infections in Kirkstall and Harehills were now under control, there was still a problem of younger people mixing together and spreading the virus.

Mariana Pexton, the council’s chief corporate support officer, claimed that measures might have to be introduced to restrict individuals’ movements if infection rates continued to worsen.

Separatelt, a senior official at NHS Test and Trace has issued an apology to people unable to get a Covid-19 test as officials consider new lockdown restrictions to curb the current spike in cases.

Director of testing Sarah-Jane Marsh said there is capacity at testing sites but laboratories processing the tests are at a "critical pinch-point".

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Ms Marsh added that the system is doing "all it can to expand quickly".

There have been reports of people being told there are no appointments available at test centres in England and that there are no home tests kits available to send out.

Meanwhile, England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, warned that if people stop social distancing then "Covid comes back".

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said the recent rise in the number of coronavirus cases is "concerning" and it is essential that people follow the Government guidelines if they want to avoid the need for further restrictions.

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