Responding to the latest figures on COVID-19 infections from the Office for National Statistics,  the director of communications of NHS Providers, Adam Brimelow, said:

"This further sharp rise in COVID-19 infections is a real concern.

"We know this increase in community infections will feed through into additional pressure on the NHS at a time when it is already operating at, or at times beyond, full stretch.

"We are also seeing high levels of staff off work with COVID-19 – adding to the pressures.

"We expect next week will be very challenging for NHS services, as the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on NHS capacity combines with the likely health impacts of next week's extreme heatwave.

"Beyond that it looks like pressures will continue through the summer into autumn and winter. Trust leaders are doing all they can to prepare for difficult days ahead."