Coronavirus news you may have missed overnight: Boris Johnson’s curfew criticised and calls for furlough to be extended

The UK has reported 4,926 coronavirus infections in the last day, showing the biggest daily rise since May while hospital admissions have doubled in the last fortnight. 

Meanwhile, a new poll shows over half of Americans would not take a vaccine immediately, following Trump’s claim that a vaccine will be available before election day.

Here is your morning Covid-19 briefing. 

Biggest daily rise in cases since May as new restrictions introduced

Latest figures show the biggest daily rise in cases since May in the UK, nearing 5,000 just 11 days after topping 3,000 for the first time since lockdown.

As Downing Street announced new restrictions to curb the rapid rise, the UK recorded a further 4,926 coronavirus infections.

The figures from The Department for Health and Social Care were higher than that seen during the peak of the pandemic, however, testing capacity then was significantly smaller.

Daily hospital admissions have more than doubled in the last fortnight.

The prime minister warned the UK was at a “perilous turning point” in its fighting of the virus, adding that “there have been too many breaches” over the summer.

Boris Johnson’s 10pm curfew critisised by scientists, industry leaders and politicians

Prime minister Boris Johnson announced new tougher measures yesterday to tackle a rise in coronavirus infections.

Leading health, industry and political figures, including Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon, have come forward warning the measures, particularly the 10pm curfew issued on pubs, restaurants and bars will likely have “little to no impact”.

While thought to be ineffective for curbing the spread, critics believe the curfew will deal a “potentially fatal blow” to businesses and could lead to a rise in raves and house parties.

Mr Johnson added that the restrictions are likely to be in place for six months and defended the measures by claiming the curfew struck a balance between protecting business as well as public health.

UK not ‘minded’ to extend the furlough scheme, minister says

According to foreign minister Dominic Raab, Britain's finance minister is reportedly not “minded” to extend the furlough scheme that is currently scheduled to stop at the end of October.

This comes as the government announced further restrictions to curb the rise in Coronavirus infections.

The tougher measures, including a 10pm curfew and table service, will significantly impact the hospitality sector.

The foreign secretary told Sky News this morning, “We’ve saved 12 million jobs, we’ve got the job retention bonus and kickstart scheme, but I don’t think the chancellor is minded to wholesale extend the furlough scheme.”

Opposition leaders have been calling upon the government for the furlough scheme to be extended to avoid a cliff edge effect as many people in the industry could be at further risk of losing their jobs.

The foreign minister also told Sky News that a second national lockdown could be needed to control the spread of the virus if the new measures fail to have an effect.

He added that a return for most workers to working from home is better than a full scale lockdown later on.

Most Americans will wait to take coronavirus vaccine, poll finds

Despite the US passing a coronavirus death toll of 200,000 on Tuesday, a recent poll has found six in 10 people would not take a vaccine immediately.

Only 9 per cent say they will get it immediately, and 33 per cent said they are “not at all likely” to take the vaccine.

The poll comes after claims by President Donald Trump that a vaccine could be ready before election day on 3 November.

Robert Redfield, director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, commented that while the vaccine could be ready by then, it would not be available for mass consumption until late 2021.

Responding to Redfield, Trump said Redfield was “confused” on the vaccine's timing.

Surges seen in coronavirus infections around the world

India’s coronavirus infections surged again on Wednesday, a day after falling to their lowest figure in almost a month.

There were 88,347 new cases and 1,085 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, federal health data showed.

With a population of around 1.4 billion, India has consistently reported the world’s highest number of daily infections.

In the Czech Republic, the second highest daily rise in Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began was reported.

New cases have doubled in September and the country has the second fastest rate of infections in Europe.