An estimated 70,000 people currently have Covid-19 in the UK, according to ONS figures.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday morning, Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance gave a stark warning about the impact of current rates of infection.
"It's now estimated that 70,000 people in the UK have the Covid infection," said Sir Vallance.
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"At the moment we think that the epidemic is doubling roughly every seven days. If that continues unabated, and this continues doubling every seven days, then what you see [...] is that by mid-October you would end up with 49,000 new cases per day."
He said this could lead to around 200 deaths per day if the spread of the virus is not slowed.
On Sunday 20th, another 3,899 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK were announced, while deaths had risen by 18 to total of 41,777.
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Currently, the R rate stands at between 1.1 and 1.4, meaning on average every 10 people infected will infect between 11 and 14 other people.
Earlier this month, the number of people allowed to gather in doors in England was cut from 30 from six after a spike in coronavirus cases, marking first changes to official lockdown rules in months, and took affect from 14th September.
The decision came as deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van Tam warned that the public have "relaxed too much" and that Brits should start taking the pandemic "very seriously again" or we could face a "bumpy ride over the next few months" on ITV News.
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Yesterday, it was announced those in England who refuse to self isolate if they test positive for coronavirus, or have been in close contact with someone who has, could be fined up to £10,000.
The new measures will be introduced from 28th September, with fines beginning at £1,000 and rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders.
Young people are said to be behind the latest outbreak, which is predominantly affecting those aged between 17 and 21.
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While infections are increasing, the death rate has not seen a similar rise, which is thought to be due to young people's ability to fight the virus more easily.
Professor Van Tam reminded young people that they are "potent spreaders" infecting the elderly, who have a far greater chance of dying from the virus.