Health chief to update nation as Coronavirus outbreak reaches 'critical point'

Today at 11 am the chief medical officer for England will warn people that the country faces a “very challenging winter”, as the recent surge in cases highlights that we are heading in “the wrong direction”.

Professor Chris Whitty will be joined by the Government’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance to present data and explain how the virus is spreading across the UK as we approach the winter period.

Prof Whitty is expected to say: "The trend in the UK is heading in the wrong direction and we are at a critical point in the pandemic.

"We are looking at the data to see how to manage the spread of the virus ahead of a very challenging winter period."

Chris Whitty’s statement is also expected to compare how countries around Europe have dealt with the virus, their figures, and comparisons to how England is dealing with the pandemic.

The Prime Minister will not be joining the press conference, however, it is thought that he will hold one of his own tomorrow, September 22, to announce further restrictions ahead of winter.

The advisers will not be answering any questions from the press at the conference today.

There have been 3,899 confirmed positive cases of coronavirus in the UK in the latest 24-hour period, with that figure expected to rise daily.

More to follow shortly.