Sign up for the latest from M.E.N. political editor Jennifer WilliamsAn influential epidemiologist has warned “this is the worst moment of the whole epidemic”.Professor John Edmunds, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), has said he believes much more “severe” measures are required to bring Covid-19 numbers down.In a statement sent to ITV’s political editor Robert Peston, Prof Edmunds said the new highly infectious strain of the virus found in the South East of the country has been “increasing exponentially during the lockdown and during the Tier 3 restrictions”.Mr Peston tweeted: ““This is the worst moment of the whole epidemic” says John Edmunds, the influential epidemiologist and member of government advisory.