Hospitals and councils have been told to find extra beds for coronavirus patients within two weeks, the Daily Telegraph reports – including isolation units for people to recover. The paper also says Health Secretary Matt Hancock is considering launching a national traffic-light system for putting regions into lockdown. And it says it understands that family visits to care homes will be paused in virus hotspots.
The Metro newspaper focuses simply on the figures showing the new surge in cases in the UK. It reports the number of people testing positive in England has risen by 75% in one week. The paper adds that figures also show the number of people getting test results within 24 hours halved and is now at its lowest level since June.
The Financial Times leads with comments made by the new president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, about whether a post-Brexit trade deal between the EU and UK is likely. In an interview she said she was “still convinced it can be done”, the FT reports. The paper says it reflects an emerging strategy from the EU to keep trade talks alive while contesting the UK’s attempt to override part of the divorce deal.
The Daily Mirror says the testing system has “descended into even further chaos”, as it reports that on Wednesday the UK saw its highest daily rise in cases since May. Its headline comes from a tweet by Labour MP Liam Byrne that reads “Tories aren’t testing” – which itself was intended to be based on the Conservatives’ 1979 advert “Labour isn’t working”.
The Daily Express leads on Mr Johnson’s comments but on lockdown restrictions, not testing. The PM said the government will “do everything in our power” to avoid a second national lockdown – but the paper says he refused to rule out a new stay at home rule. He said another lockdown would be “disastrous”.
The Times reports that ministers are considering telling pubs and restaurants in virus hotspots around the country to close early, by 22:00 BST. It quotes Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick – who was speaking on ITV on Wednesday night – saying a full announcement on further curbs in the north-east of England would be announced on Thursday. The paper’s main picture is of Prince Philip, who is leaving Balmoral to spend two weeks with the Queen at Sandringham.
The warning from schools also leads the front of the i newspaper. It reports that head teachers’ unions have written a letter to Mr Johnson telling him to “personally take charge” amid concern over schools not being able to access tests. Teachers have said they are frustrated that the increase in demand was not foreseen, the paper adds.
