Analysis: We may have passed the limit of lockdown easing
James Gallagher
Health and science correspondent, BBC News
Cases in England are increasing for the first time since May.
Data from the Office for National Statistics shows there are around 4,200 new infections a day compared with 2,800 a week ago.
This is not a return to the height of the epidemic in March, but it is telling.
Every restriction we ease increases the ability of the coronavirus to spread and the government’s science advisers have always warned there was not much wiggle room to lift restrictions and still suppress the virus.
The uptick in infections is a warning we may have already passed the limit of lifting lockdown.
That is why Boris Johnson has delayed some of the planned lifting of restrictions in England and face masks will become a more frequent sight.
The big question remains around schools. If the current rules are leading to an increase in cases, can we open schools as well? If we open schools will we have to close something else?
It is worth noting all this is happening in July and scientists suspect the virus will spread even more easily in the winter months.