No 10 not ruling out ‘firebreak’ lockdown if Covid cases rise
by Rowena Mason and Nicola Davis from on (#5P8B4)
Government denies plan for October half-term lockdown but says option remains open if NHS overwhelmed
Downing Street has not ruled out a firebreak" lockdown as a last resort if the NHS were to be overwhelmed by Covid cases in England, but denied there were plans for one during October's half-term school holiday.
With deaths within 28 days of a positive test reaching 209 - their highest level since 1 March - and 37,489 positive cases on Tuesday, scientists warned that restrictions could again be necessary in the coming months, such as limits on gatherings and a return to compulsory indoor masking.
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