Just seen this on bbc:
Encouraging data means loosening of restrictions remains on the cards
Nick Triggle
Health Correspondent
There’s lots of talk about encouraging data. But with infection levels climbing rapidly how can that be?
The key is in the picture emerging with hospital cases and deaths. When the initial delay to step four was announced, infection rates had just started rising and government scientists were worried about what that could lead to with the vaccination programme not fully rolled out.
The past few weeks have provided clarity about what we can expect. The answer can be found by comparing the start of the second wave in the autumn with what is happening now.
During September and October cases were rising much as they are now. Within eight weeks that had translated to more than 1,000 admissions a day. This time round there are just above 200.
There is even better news with deaths. Latest estimates show fewer than one in 1,000 infections is leading to a death. At the peak of the winter wave it was one in 60.
This has dramatically altered what can be considered a proportionate response to the virus – and is why a further loosening of restrictions remains on the cards.