Start preparing for the “rapid deployment” of basic coronavirus measures, scientists on the Sage committee have told ministers – arguing that vaccine passports, home-working guidance and masks would “reduce the need for more stringent, disruptive, and longer-lasting measures” in the future.

As newly-published minutes from a meeting of the group last week revealed the scientists’ warning, politicians and health leaders across the country told The Independent that the government should act immediately in introducing its “Plan B” to prevent the NHS being further overwhelmed, with one urging Boris Johnson to “act now, rather than later”.

It came as official figures showed that the average daily hospital admissions in England for people with Covid-19 had risen to their highest level for nearly eight months.

NHS England data showed that the seven-day average for admissions stood at 821 on 20 October - the highest level since 27 February.

However, care minister Gillian Keegan insisted on Friday that the government did not need to implement new measures yet as death rates remained “very low” - despite the UK recording 912 fatalities in the past week.

Read More

Covid: More than a million people may be infected in England

Covid: Government must get ready for plan B now, Sage advisers warn

How do I order a lateral flow test for travel, and how do day 2 tests work?