Covid-19: Health workers 'back in eye of storm', says NHS chief

Health workers are 'back in the eye of the storm' as coronavirus cases continue to rise, NHS England's chief executive Simon Stevens has said. It has been the 'toughest year' for the NHS, which has treated 200,000 severely ill Covid-19 patients, he added. Hospitals in England are currently treating more Covid patients than at the peak of the first wave in April. A government scientific adviser has warned national restrictions are needed to prevent a 'catastrophe'. On Monday, a record 41,385 new Covid cases were reported in the UK, though it is thought the infection rate was higher during spring when testing was much more limited.