COVID-19: Health workers 'back in eye of storm', says NHS chief

Health workers are "back in the eye of the storm" as coronavirus cases continue to rise, NHS England's chief executive Simon Stevens has said.

It has been the "toughest year" for the NHS, which has treated 200,000 severely ill Covid-19 patients, he added.

Hospitals in England are currently treating more Covid patients than at the peak of the first wave in April.

A government scientific adviser has warned national restrictions are needed to prevent a "catastrophe".

On Monday, a record 41,385 new Covid cases were reported in the UK, though it is thought the infection rate was higher during spring when testing was much more limited.

NHS England said 20,426 people were being treated for the virus in hospitals in England on Monday, which is higher than the previous peak of about 19,000 in April.

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Source: BBC News, 29 December 2020