THE government has drawn up plans for a "firebreak" lockdown in October if hospital admissions continue to rise, it has been reported.

A senior Government scientist has revealed that the UK is about to enter “an extended peak” of infections and hospitalisations which could push the health service to the limit.

According to the i, the emergency plan could see half-term extended from one week to two.

The scientist, a member of the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, told the paper: “This is essentially the precautionary break that Sage suggested last year.

“It would be sensible to have contingency plans, and if a lockdown is required, to time it so that it has minimal economic and societal impact.”

“We are going to be at a peak, albeit an extended peak, quite soon, so it’s not really the same situation as last year, when failure to reduce prevalence would have resulted in collapse of NHS and people dying in car parks,.

“Hospitals might be overflowing before deaths reach the same level. Acting early will prevent this level.”

The Argus: Thousands are set to flock to Brighton seafront amid a heatwave this week Thousands are set to flock to Brighton seafront amid a heatwave this week

It comes as Covid-19 cases in the city remain “very high" as thousands of pupils return to school.

In the seven days up to 27 August, the number of new confirmed Covid-19 cases in Brighton and Hove dropped by 23 per cent to 908.

This is equivalent to a weekly rate of 311 per 100,000 people and closer to the rate for England of 313 per 100,000.

But despite the fall in cases, this is still higher than the South East rate of 284 per 100,000.

Alistair Hill, director of public health with Brighton and Hove City Council, said that although this drop in numbers is welcome, cases of Covid in the city are still very high.

He said: “This is welcome news however the number of cases remains high and with many of us coming back from holidays and festivals, and more returning to education and workplace settings, this could lead to more cases in the coming weeks.

“It does mean that regular testing and all the hygiene habits we learned throughout the pandemic remain so important.

“Regular hand washing, good ventilation, wearing face coverings when required, and making space for each other helped reduce infection during the lockdowns and still serve us well.”