The U.K’s coronavirus caseload surged amid growing anger over Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s strategy for dealing with the pandemic.
Some 17,540 new cases were logged Thursday -- a rise of more than 3,000 from Wednesday. Public Health England Medical Director Yvonne Doyle warned of a “definite and sustained” increase in cases and hospitalizations. “The trend is clear, and it is very concerning,” she said in a statement.
Earlier Thursday, England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, met with politicians from northern England and the Midlands to stress the sharp uptick in the virus. He was joined by Health Minister Edward Argar in the virtual meeting for more than 100 cross-party members of Parliament on Thursday, two people familiar with matter said.
The sobering data come as Johnson’s team is preparing to announce new restrictions for the worst-hit parts of the country from Monday, potentially including the closing of restaurants and bars. The premier has warned that virus restrictions are likely to be in place for at least another six months.
Johnson faces growing anger from members of his own party who complain about restrictions on civil liberties and the lack of parliamentary scrutiny of new measures. Meanwhile, local leaders say they haven’t been consulted on new rules.
“I will not accept the government just imposing restrictions, these decisions upon us, briefing them to newspapers late at night,” Andy Burnham, the mayor for Greater Manchester, told the BBC’s “Question Time” program late Thursday. “They need to treat the people of the north of England with more respect.”
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