Vallance says virus is not under control

Boris Johnson announced no new restrictions in Wednesday’s coronavirus restrictions — but there was still little reason for cheer. Those ministers hoping for a change to the 10 p.m. curfew were left disappointed. Johnson and his advisers — Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Officer Patrick Vallance — offered a series of graphs and maps to show the spread of the virus. Each made the point that infections are going in the wrong direction. It was clear from the address that they all believe new restrictions are more likely than not. 

While Whitty spoke of ‘a long winter ahead of us’, it was Vallance whose language was the most frank. He said the virus was not under control: ‘It’s very clear that’s rates are going up — we don’t have this under control at the moment’.