UK health chiefs warn parts of health system could be overwhelmed by COVID

The United Kingdom's chief medical officers said on Monday there was "a material risk" of the health system in several areas of the country being overwhelmed by COVID-19 over the next 21 days without new measures.

The chief medical officers of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland said in a joint statement that they recommended the UK's COVID-19 alert level should move from level 4 to level 5.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was set to announce tougher coronavirus restrictions for England later on Monday. (Writing by William Schomberg, editing by Elizabeth Piper)