Rising coronavirus cases in a small number of areas in England has led the deputy chief medical officer to warn: “Don’t wreck this now.”

Jonathan Van-Tam was speaking at Friday’s Downing Street briefing on the fight against coronavirus.

As the UK’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues at an impressive pace, he revealed that he has been receiving emails from people who have been jabbed asking if it is alright to start breaking lockdown rules.

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“Look, this is all going very well, but there are some worrying signs that people are relaxing, taking their foot off their brake at the wrong time,” he said.

“We are so close. Do not wreck this now. It is too early to relax. Just continue to maintain discipline and hang on just a few more months.”

Offering one of his now regular analogies, he added: “It’s a bit like being 3-0 up in a game and thinking ‘well, we can’t possibly lose this now’, but how many times have you seen the other side take it 4-3?”

The health secretary also told the public to “stick at” following the lockdown restrictions and other social distancing measures as he warned of a “stark picture” of coronavirus rates.

Matt Hancock said the number of cases in England is down to one in 145 people but the rate of decline is “slowing”.

He said the rate of hospital admissions and deaths are still “far too high”, adding that one in five local authorities has seen a rise in case rates in the last week.

“This stark picture shows that this isn’t over yet, the stay at home rules are still in place for a reason,” he said.

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