The number of people who can gather indoors across England is set to be reduced as the government tackles the latest surge in cases of coronavirus.

According to Sky News, a government source has said the maximum figure will be cut from 30, however the new number is 'still being ironed out'.

What's the latest on coronavirus cases across the UK?

On Monday (September 8), a total of 2,948 cases of coronavirus were reported on - the highest number since May 22 at the height of the pandemic in the UK.

It follows on from a total of 2,988 cases reported on Sunday (September 7).

What have health officials said?

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said on Monday that the public had "relaxed too much" during the summer - adding that the rising number of cases were of "great concern".

The deputy chief medical officer for England issued the warning as Caerphilly in south Wales prepared to be placed under local lockdown and stricter measures were extended in Scotland.

CORONAVIRUS IN HEREFORDSHIRE:

During an interview, Prof Van-Tam told journalists: "This is a big change. It's now consistent over two days and it's of great concern at this point.

"We've been able to relax a bit over the summer, the disease levels have been really quite low in the UK through the summer but these latest figures really show us that much as people might like to say 'oh well it's gone away' - this hasn't gone away.

"And if we're not careful, if we don't take this incredibly seriously from this point in we're going to have a bumpy ride over the next few months."

He said that the rise is "much more marked" in the 17-21 age group, but noted there is a "more general and creeping geographic trend" across the UK.

"People have relaxed too much," Prof Van-Tam said.

"Now is the time for us to re-engage and realise that this is a continuing threat to us."

Prof Van-Tam also urged politicians and public health officials to think how to manage the crisis not in the short term but through "the next six months and how we get through this until the spring".

The professor added that it was "clear" that the level of compliance with restrictions "is very variable indeed".

What was the reaction from the Health Secretary Matt Hancock?

Health Secretary Matt Hancock welcomed the "important advice" having earlier described the recent increase in cases as "concerning" as he tried to remind young people of the dangers of the situation.

"Don't kill your gran by catching coronavirus and then passing it on," he told told BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat.

What is the furthest distance that people would have to travel to get a coronavirus test in the UK?

On Monday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock pledged that people would have to travel no more than 75 miles for a test.

Further problems with the testing system came as a member of the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) said the latest increase in coronavirus cases is “very worrying”.