Boris Johnson warns UK at ‘critical moment’ in fight against coronavirus

Boris Johnson has warned Britain is at a "critical moment" in the fight against coronavirus and refused to rule out bringing in tougher measures.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a media briefing in Downing Street. Picture: Jack Hill/The Times/PA Wire

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference today, the Prime Minister claimed the surging number of cases showed why the UK Government had been forced into bringing in new restrictions.

Appearing with data slides showing cases soaring throughout Britain, the PM insisted only a "collective" effort and willingness to make "sacrifices" for others would help keep the spread of infection down.

He said: “If we put in the work together now then we give ourselves the best possible chance of avoiding that outcome and avoiding further measures.

“I know some people will think we should give up and let the virus take its course despite the huge loss of life that would potentially entail.

“I have to say I profoundly disagree. I don’t think that is what the British people want. I don’t think they want to throw in the sponge. They want to fight and defeat this virus and that is what we are going to do.”

Speaking at the 100th UK Government coronavirus press conference, the PM also revealed 14 million people had downloaded the NHS test and trace app.

He insisted this, along with being on track for 500,000 tests a day, left the UK ready for the second wave.

Mr Johnson was speaking from Number 10 alongside Professor Chris Whitty and Professor Patrick Vallance.

Last week the PM announced a series of new measures in England, including pub curfews and bans on indoor sport.

Today Mr Johnson admitted it was “too early” to tell if they working, but repeated his call for the public to give the restrictions times to stamp out the virus.

He said: "No matter how impatient we may become, how fed up we may become, we must show collective forbearance, common sense and willingness to make sacrifices for others.

“I am absolutely confident that with better treatments and with the prospect of a vaccine we will get through this.

“Let’s follow the rules, wash our hands, cover our faces, observe social distancing, download the app, and together we will fight back against this virus, protect the NHS and save more lives.”

He was speaking on a day 7,108 new cases were recorded, as well as 71 deaths.

This included 640 new cases and seven more deaths in Scotland.

Professor Whitty urged the public not to stop going to hospitals and other appointments due to coronavirus, but admitted intensive care cases were "not going in the right direction".

Mr Vallance, the chief scientific adviser, said “we don't have this under control at the moment" and that "there is evidence of spread everywhere".

The conference came as Tory rebels demanded more of a say over restrictions, with influential backbencher Charles Walker complaining they had just 90 minutes to debate the six-month extension to the Coronavirus Act.

He told the Commons: “Ninety minutes to debate the renewal of an Act that fundamentally has changed the nature of the relationship between the state and citizens is not good enough.”