Five key factors which will decide if Milton Keynes faces stricter Covid restrictions in Tier Three

Yesterday (Monday), a statement from Pete Marland, leader of MK Council, was broadcast via YouTube before the government is due to decide on Wednesday which areas need to go into Tier 3, which is very high alert.

Pete said there is a "strong possibility" MK will be placed under Tier 3 rules on Wednesday as Covid cases continue to soar.

He said: ""The increase in Milton Keynes is greater than most other local authorities. The number of cases, the speed it is spreading and the number of people in hospital is concerning. There is a strong possibility we will go into tier 3. We will know more over the next few days."

Tier Three restrictions would mean no mixing of households, pubs and restaurants could only operate as takeaways and fans banned once again from sporting events.

Experts from the Joint Biosecurity Centre, Public Health England and the NHS monitors the number of new infections, positivity rates, and pressures on health services.

They are due meet and review the Covid Winter Plan by Wednesday (December 16).

Their verdict will be passed onto Government ministers for the final decisions on which — if any — areas will have risk levels raised or lowered.

Final decisions on tiers are made by the Prime Minister at the Covid Operations Committee and are expected to be announced by Thursday with new rules coming into force at the weekend.

Here are the five factors being considered:

> Case detection rates in all age groups

> Case detection rates in the over-60s age group

> The rate at which cases are rising or falling

> Positivity rate — the number of positive cases detected as a percentage of tests taken

> Pressure on the NHS, including current and projected occupancy.