PRIME Minister Boris Johnson is due to hold a press conference this evening, October 31, where he is expected to announce a national lockdown.

Here is all you need to know ahead of the announcement.

A national lockdown? Where has this come from?

In case you missed it, both the Daily Mail and The Times reported overnight that England was set for a national lockdown in the coming days.

It was reported that Mr Johnson would address the nation on Monday ahead of tighter restrictions coming into effect on Wednesday.

But the leak to the national press has reportedly angered the Prime Minister’s team, and now a press conference has been hastily arranged for this afternoon.

It was due to be held at 4pm, and then 5pm, but has now been pushed back again and is expected at around 6.30pm.

Why is a national lockdown set to be called?

Rates of coronavirus infection have been increasing across the country – to varying degrees – in recent weeks.

The north west has seen some of the highest infection rates, particularly in Greater Manchester and Merseyside, which is why those areas have Tier 3 restrictions in place.

But infection rates have slowly begun to creep up in other areas – with Cheshire East and West both seeing higher rates this week compared to last.

Hospital admission rates have also risen, and scientists advising the Government say there are worrying predictions for the impact of coronavirus if no action is taken.

Government scientists are confident that more than 50,000 new cases of coronavirus are now occurring every day in England, while they believe deaths could hit 500 a day without intervention.

Will everything close down?

It is being reported that schools and colleges will remain open if a national lockdown is called, unlike in the spring lockdown.

Essential shops and supermarkets would also remain open, but other businesses such as bars and restaurants would close.

That has sparked concern among the hospitality industry’s leaders, with UK Hospitality saying the move would be 'absolutely devastating'.

How long will it last?

Reports today claim the lockdown could last until December 1, with different areas leaving the lockdown at different times depending on their infection rate.

What is the latest in Cheshire East and West?

Both Cheshire East and West have seen their infection rates increase over the past week, according to Public Health England.

The latest figures show Cheshire East has an infection rate of 225.4 per 100,000 people after 866 cases in the week up to October 26, compared to 177.8 per 100,000 people one week earlier.

In Cheshire West, the rate is 231.1 per 100,000 people after 793 cases in the week up to October 26, compared to 203.7 per 100,000 people one week earlier.

However, local leaders had been upbeat that our area could soon turn the corner on coronavirus before details of today’s announcement emerged.

In a statement issued on Friday, CWAC leader Cllr Louise Gittins said: “Although the volume of work is increasing, dedicated staff and volunteers in hospitals and the community are working hard to meet levels of demand and our services are managing well.

“Data and evidence suggest we are better placed compared to many areas, but rates have risen and we need to maintain vigilance.”

What about the situation in hospitals?

Latest figures from NHS England show there are currently 2,575 coronavirus patients in hospitals across the north west, including 213 on ventilation.

In contrast, on October 1 there were 662 coronavirus patients in hospital across the north west, and 117 on September 1.

At the peak of the first wave of Covid-19, on April 13, there were 2,890 coronavirus patients in north west hospitals.

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