#15,683
While there are 4 tiers of COVID restrictions currently used by the UK government (4 being the most restrictive), there are 5 alert levels (see above). Currently a large swath of the UK is living under Tier 4 (Stay At Home) restrictions.
Despite these mandates, the rate of infection has continued to rise at an alarming rate, and the NHS is in danger of being overwhelmed by the volume of patients. Much of the blame for this rapid increase has been assigned to the B.1.1.7 variant, which is now dominant in much of the UK.
At 8pm tonight (UTC) UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to address the nation, and announce the alert level has been raised to 5, and increased restrictions.
Since their is currently no `Tier 5' defined, it isn't certain what these new restrictions will consist of, although school closures have been mentioned.
What we do have is the following statement by the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of the United Kingdom, recommending the alert level be raised to 5.
News story
COVID-19 alert level: update from the UK Chief Medical Officers
A joint statement from the UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) recommending that the UK COVID-19 alert level move from level 4 to level 5.
Published 4 January 2021
From:Department of Health and Social Care
Following advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and in the light of the most recent data, the 4 UK Chief Medical Officers and NHS England Medical Director recommend that the UK alert level should move from level 4 to level 5.
Many parts of the health systems in the 4 nations are already under immense pressure. There are currently very high rates of community transmission, with substantial numbers of COVID patients in hospitals and in intensive care.
Cases are rising almost everywhere, in much of the country driven by the new more transmissible variant. We are not confident that the NHS can handle a further sustained rise in cases and without further action there is a material risk of the NHS in several areas being overwhelmed over the next 21 days.
Although the NHS is under immense pressure, significant changes have been made so people can still receive lifesaving treatment. It is absolutely critical that people still come forward for emergency care. If you require non-urgent medical attention, please contact your GP or call NHS 111.
Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty
Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton
Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Dr Gregor Smith
Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, Dr Michael McBride
NHS England, National Medical Director Professor Stephen Powis
