LONDON – British officials are considering tougher coronavirus restrictions as the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients surpasses the first peak of the outbreak in the spring.Authorities are blaming a new, more transmissible variant of the virus, first identified in southeast England, for the soaring infection rates.
An area home to almost half of the people in England is under tight restrictions on movement and everyday life in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus.
Nonessential shops are shut along with gyms and swimming pools, indoor socializing is barred and restaurants and pubs can only offer takeout.Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to hold a meeting of his COVID-19 crisis committee later Tuesday.