London mayor declares ‘major incident’ with coronavirus spread ‘out of control’

"If we do not take immediate action now, our NHS could be overwhelmed and more people will die," said Sadiq Khan.

The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, where people joined in applause to salute local heroes during the nationwide Clap for Heroes event to recognise and support NHS workers and carers fighting the coronavirus pandemic in the latest lockdown. 

London mayor Sadiq Khan has declared a “major incident” as the spread of coronavirus threatens to “overwhelm” the city’s hospitals.

City Hall said Covid-19 cases in London had exceeded 1,000 per 100,000, while there are 35% more people in hospital with the virus than in the peak of the pandemic in April.