In A Month, U.K. Could See 50,000 New Coronavirus Cases A Day, Expert Warns

The U.K.’s COVID-19 numbers are rising fast and could reach new 50,000 cases per day by mid-October, the country’s top science adviser announced Monday. Sir Patrick Vallance said his warning is based on current trends that show “the epidemic is doubling roughly every seven days.”

“There’s no doubt we’re in a situation where the numbers are increasing,” Vallance said during an online briefing hosted by 10 Downing Street. The challenge now, he added, is to prolong the time it takes for infection rates to double.

If the U.K.’s rate of new cases doubles four more times, the government health expert said, “you would end up with something like 50,000 cases in the middle of October per day.”