Britain's health service is close to the edge of being overwhelmed in many areas and and pressure is only going to increase as winter approaches, the head of a healthcare system body has said.
The UK reported 223 deaths from Covid-19 yesterday, the highest daily figure since March, and cases are the highest in Europe.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has lifted almost all Covid-19 restrictions in England, and is keeping measures such as mandatory mask-wearing - common in much of Europe - in reserve only as a "Plan B".
But doctors have expressed concern an increase in numbers going into hospital, combined with pressures on the NHS from seasonal viruses, could lead to a "perfect storm" which would leave hospitals unable to deal with long waiting