Coronavirus: Rise in cases is ‘all of our problem say government's top scientists

The government's top scientists have warned that the growing number of coronavirus cases in the UK "is all of our problem", and that "the next six months need to be taken very seriously".

Chief medical adviser, Professor Chris Whitty, and the government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, held a special briefing to update the public on the situation.

They said that the number of coronavirus cases is rising, doubling roughly every seven days.

They added that, if this continues without being stopped, the UK could see 50,000 new cases per day by mid-October.

Prof Chris Whitty is the UK government's chief medical adviser while Sir Patrick Vallance is the government's chief scientific adviser

It's as the Prime Minister considers whether to introduce further restrictions in England.

There are different rules in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and Boris Johnson is due to chair an emergency Cobra meeting with their leaders on Tuesday.

On Sunday Boris Johnson met with Prof Whitty, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Matt Hancock at Downing Street to discuss what their next steps should be.

On Friday the government introduced further restrictions across the north-east of England, including big cities like Newcastle, and tighter restrictions are also being considered in other parts of the country.

In the north-east of England people aren't allowed to meet other households, and restaurants and pubs have to shut at 10pm

Prof Chris Whitty says that although very high rates of transmission in the UK are concentrated in some areas, there are also high rates elsewhere.

He added: "This is not someone else's problem, this is all of our problem."

At the briefing, Sir Patrick Vallance showed examples of what has happened in other countries - with an increase in cases in France and Spain among younger age groups also leading to an increase among the older population.

There are other countries around the world where there have been tougher rules and where things are now starting to improve though.

For example, in New Zealand, Covid measures are going to be removed everywhere except in the biggest city of Auckland, where some restrictions will continue for another two weeks.

In Australia some areas have had stricter rules than others and they are now beginning to be eased again, after a drop in the number of cases.

Things in New Zealand's capital city of Wellington are starting to get back to normal

The UK government also has concerns about the impact of the autumn and winter when it comes to the spread of the virus.

Prof Whitty said "the seasons are against us", warning that cases of the virus could get worse with the UK coming into the autumn.

He said: "We are now going into the seasons...that benefit respiratory viruses."

He added that it will be a "six-month problem that we will have to deal with collectively...This period of the next six months needs to be taken seriously".

Sir Patrick said good progress was being made when it comes to vaccines, with a range of them being developed.

The UK is thought to be in a good position too when it comes to supply, if a successful vaccine is developed.

Sir Patrick said he hoped there will be a vaccine of some kind by "the end of the year for small amounts for certain groups".