Covid-19 patient numbers rising in more regions of England, figures show

Covid-19 case rates are currently rising in four out of five local areas of England – the highest proportion since early January.

Ambulances outside the Royal London Hospital in London in January, during the second wave of the virus (Yui Mok/PA)

The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 in England is now a fifth higher than it was at the end of the second wave of the virus, with more regions reporting a rise in patients, new figures show.

It comes as Government ministers are reviewing the latest data on Covid-19 cases and the amount of people being taken to hospital to decide whether the planned easing of social restrictions in England on June 21 will go ahead, with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson due to announce a decision on Monday.