Britain's health minister has said that the novel coronavirus was accelerating across the country with hospital admissions doubling every eight days but refused to say whether or not another national lockdown would be imposed next month, Reuters reported.

“The number of people in hospital is doubling every eight days or so [...] we will do what it takes to keep people safe,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.

Asked about a second lockdown, he said: “I can't give you that answer now.”