Government scientist hails 'encouraging' data showing Covid hospitalisations remain low despite rising cases - as figures reveal infections are only clearly growing in three of England's eight Indian variant hotspots

One of the Government's most prominent scientists today hailed data showing that coronavirus hospitalisations across England remain low, despite cases rising across the nation. Public Health England's medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle claimed the rate of admissions was 'encouraging', even though they have crept up slightly — with around 0.79 of every 100,000 people needing medical care for Covid in the week ending May 23, up from around 0.75. The figure stood at almost 40 during the peak of the second wave in January. It comes as MailOnline analysis of official statistics showed Covid cases are only clearly rising in three of England's Indian variant hotspots