Hospitals and ambulance services are coming under increased pressure as the new coronavirus variant fuels a rise in infections,
health bosses have said. London Ambulance Service received as many emergency calls on Boxing Day as it did at the height of the first wave of Covid-19, the BBC has learned. The service and at least two others have urged people to call 999 only if there is a serious emergency. And NHS Providers, which represents hospital trusts in England, said hospitals in London and the south of England were under “real pressure” due to demand from Covid-19 and other conditions, as well as staff absence.