Brits were warned “this pandemic is not over” as Sajid Javid held a Downing Street press conference on Wednesday night sparking fears that Covid restrictions could return.

Mr Javid said cases could rise to 100,000 a day.

He told a Downing Street press conference hospital admissions are now approaching 1,000 per day and that deaths are “still sadly over 100 a day”.

He said: “We’ll do what it takes to make sure that this pressure doesn’t become unsustainable and that we don’t allow the NHS to become overwhelmed.”

Mr Javid added: “This pandemic is not over. Thanks to the vaccination programme, yes the link between cases and hospitalisations and deaths has significantly weakened, but it’s not broken.”

He added that the government will not be implementing its “Plan B” contingency measure “at this point”.

The gap on coronavirus is narrowing

Speaking at the Downing Street press conference, the Health Secretary said: "We've been in a race, a race between the vaccine and the virus. And although we're ahead in that race, the gap is narrowing.

"We've come so far thanks to the efforts of so many. But with winter ahead, we can't blow it now.

"So we're going to do everything we can to maintain our lead by strengthening our vaccination programme as our primary line of defence."

‘Protect yourself and protect your loved ones’

Mr Javid then called on people across the UK to get jabbed against coronavirus as he said there is almost five million unvaccinated people over the age of 16 in the UK.

He said: “It might be someone you know, a friend, a family member, a colleague.

“And if you do, tell them, it’s never too late to come forward so if you haven’t yet had your jab, please take this huge step to protect yourself and to protect your loved ones.”

Sajid Javid urges people to wear face mask and meet outdoors

The Health Secretary added: "There are many more things that we can all do to help contain the spread of this virus."

He urged Brits to wear face masks in closed spaces, to meet friends and family outside where possible and to take regular tests. 

Suggesting Christmas is as risk, he added: "If we all play our part, then we can give ourselves the best possible chance in this race, get through this winter and enjoy Christmas with our loved ones."

Get more Salisbury news. 

You can also like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date.

If you want online news with fewer ads, unlimited access and reader rewards - plus a chance to support our local journalism - find out more about registering or a digital subscription.

Email newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk with your comments, pictures, letters and news stories.