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The press briefing tonight was held by Health Secretary, Matt Hancock. Joining him to discuss the latest in regards to the pandemic were National Medical Director for NHS England, Prof. Stephen Powis, and Chief Medical Adviser to NHS Test and Trace, Dr. Susan Hopkins.

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Key points from the conference:

• Matt Hancock begins the conference by informing us the number of people staying at hospitals with confirmed positive cases is at an all time high of 37,435. He adds the "NHS is under significant pressure in all parts of the country"
  
  

• The Health Secretary continues emphasising the stress the NHS is facing, saying "someone is being admitted to hospital every 30 seconds"
  
  

• 4 million vaccination jabs have already been delivered as Hancock confidently reassures us the plan is on track. A plan in which will have all four most vulnerable groups inoculated by the middle of February, requiring an further 11 million out of 15 million.
  
  

• As more than half of the over 80's group and care home residents are now protected against the virus, over 70's will be offered a vaccination starting today.
  
  

• Dr. Susan Hopkins responds to a question asking about the plans to protect frontline workers, she stated lateral flow tests are being distributed across the country for those who are symptomatic.
  
  

• It's undecided whether to reopen schools yet Hopkins says as she continues answering questions.
  
  

• Prof. Stephen Powis revealed an alarming figure of 15,000 admitted to hospitals since Christmas Eve. He added "that is well over 20 hospitals worth of patients".
  
  

The daily amount of deaths today was 599, which is down 55% in 10 days from 930.

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To read the key points from previous government coronavirus conferences click here

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