Coronavirus: Infection rates 'rapidly falling' - Alert Level downgraded today

With Coronavirus infection rates 'rapidly falling' the Government has taken the decision to downgrade the country's Covid-19 alert level.

The decision was announced this morning after advice from England's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty.

England was at Level 4 and has now been downgraded to Level 3, this means that while Covid-19 is still in circulation infection rates are no longer high or rising.

Health secretary Matt Hancock has called the decision 'a big moment for the country', he said: "The UK moving to a lower alert level is a big moment for the country, and a real testament to the British people's determination to beat this virus.

"The Government's plan is working. Infection rates are rapidly falling, we have protected the NHS and, thanks to the hard work of millions in our health and social care services, we are getting the country back on her feet."

Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, said: "The Joint Biosecurity Centre has recommended that the COVID-19 alert level should move from Level 4 (A COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation; transmission is high or rising exponentially) to Level 3 (A COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation).

"The CMOs for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have reviewed the evidence and agree with this recommendation to move to Level 3 across the UK.

"There has been a steady decrease in cases we have seen in all four nations, and this continues. It does not mean that the pandemic is over. The virus is still in general circulation, and localised outbreaks are likely to occur.

"We have made progress against the virus thanks to the efforts of the public and we need the public to continue to follow the guidelines carefully to ensure this progress continues."

The UK Government has five alert levels:

Level 1 – The Coronavirus is not known to be present in the UK.

Level 2 – The Coronavirus is present in the UK, but the number of cases and transmission rates are low.

Level 3 – The Coronavirus is in general circulation.

Level 4 – The Coronavirus is in general circulation and transmission rates are high or rising quickly.

Level 5 - The Coronavirus is in general circulation and transmission rates are high or rising quickly and the NHS/healthcare services are being overwhelmed.