Boris Johnson set to hold Covid-19 lockdown press conference

The Prime Minister will be flanked by chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.

He is expected to provide further details on the reasons behind the implementation of a third national lockdown, which he announced during a televised address to the nation last night, before fielding questions on the heightened restrictions.

• READ MORE: Brighton and Hove MPs slam 'dithering' PM over slow response to surge in Covid cases

During the televised address last night, Mr Johnson said: "Our scientists have confirmed this new variant is between 50 and 70 per cent more transmissible. That means you are much, much more likely to catch the virus, and to pass it on.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson during the televised address last night in which he announced a third national Covid-19 lockdown

"As I speak to you tonight, our hospitals are under more pressure from Covid than at any time since the start of the pandemic.

"In England alone, the number of Covid patients in hospitals has increased by nearly a third in the last week to almost 27,000, and that number is 40 per cent higher than the first peak in April.

• READ MORE: What you can and can't do during the third national lockdown

"On December 29, more than 80,000 people tested positive for Covid across the UK - a new record.

"The number of deaths is up by 20 per cent over the last week and will, sadly, rise further. My thoughts are with all of those who have lost loved ones."