UK likely to extend coronavirus lockdown as science experts meet

The government’s top scientific advisers are set to meet on Tuesday to review the effectiveness of the coronavirus lockdown even as ministers anticipate an extension.

The advisers have yet to pass on their findings to Downing Street but ministers are already predicting that it is unlikely that the restrictions will be eased any time soon, given the still mounting death toll.

Chief adviser Patrick Vallance said he expected the number of deaths to continue to rise throughout the week, although he expected the rate to plateau during the following weeks before beginning to decline.

Britain's death toll jumped by 717 on Monday and reached 11,329, although the real number could be much higher as there are growing concerns over the extent of the outbreaks at care homes.

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab ruled out any change to the UK coronavirus lockdown on Monday “until we’re confident…that any such changes can be safely made”.

Raab said: “we’re still not passed the peak of this virus so please continue to follow the advice now more than ever to stay home, save lives and protect our NHS.”

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson remained off work as he recovered from the illness himself, having been discharged from intensive care just las Sunday.

The Times newspaper reported Tuesday that Britain will remain in lockdown for another three weeks and that Raab would make the announcement on Thursday.

It’s also been reported that Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Priti Patel were pushing for the restrictions to be lifted sooner rather than later, given the intense pressures that their departments were facing.