authorities fear this virus is spreading undetected. all around, you can see the bars and restaurants are already closed. closed at 5pm under new rules. and the big fear is that with this new variant present, a full blown lockdown could be on the cards for christmas. a full-blown lockdown could be on the cards for christmas. a full-blown lockdown could be on the cards for christmas. the latest uk coronavirus figures have been released in the last hour, showing 37,681 new infections in the latest 24 hour period. another 51 deaths were recorded that s of people who died within 28 days of a positive covid 19 test. on vaccinations, more than 17.5 million people have now had a boosterjab. let s take stock of the response so far to this new variant with iain watson our political correspondent. what sense do you have of the judgment that ministers are making on their response to the new variant? ., , . variant? the government s chief scientific adviser variant? the government s chi