What is the science behind England's second national lockdown?
PM was presented with some alarming data – with one model forecasting up to 4,000 Covid deaths a day next monthCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage
England is preparing to enter a second national lockdown after scientific advisers warned that coronavirus infections and the numbers of people in hospital are rising steeply in many areas of the country. But what is the science behind the decision?
What data prompted the lockdown?
The prime minister and two leading advisers, Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientist, and Prof Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, made the case for a second national lockdown with a haul of data. They began with the rate of new infections, around 50,000 cases
