However you look at the blizzard of statistics about the Coronavirus, the disease is still spreading - despite town after town being placed under extra limits.
Even before Nicola Sturgeon's moves on Wednesday to try to break the spread in Scotland, ministers in SW1 were looking at the next steps they would need to take to stop the acceleration of the virus.
As we've reported, the government is likely to introduce a tiered approach to put different parts of the country with different spreads of the diseases into different categories.
But the exact nature of the strictest form of restrictions are yet to be set in stone.
It's a complicated equation. The Department of Health is worried about the spread of the disease, as well as other patients losing out on other treatments because of the focus on Covid.
No 11 is fearful about the impact on the economy, which has already had a profound shock.
And it's No 10's job to worry about all of it, then reach a conclusion.
But Boris Johnson also knows that his own MPs and the opposition parties are more and more sceptical as each day passes about what the government proposes.
It's clear that shutting pubs and restaurants is a possibility - the "circuit breaker" that we have talked about on here lots of times.
But there are many questions still to be settled.
Serious discussions
Would that happen everywhere? Or just in the most affected parts of the country?
Would closures be total or for a certain period of time only?
Would they be temporary? Or put in place until an indeterminate time?
A lot is unknown, but the discussions are serious. The Treasury is already looking at financial support for the different options, including not just closing pubs in the most affected areas, but potentially well beyond.
There is a lot yet to settle, and the next formal announcement is likely (as things stand) not to come until Monday.
Here are five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Wednesday evening. We'll have another update for you on Thursday morning.
1. Pubs and restaurants close in central Scotland
The top story in the UK today concerns the major new restrictions announced in Scotland. All pubs and restaurants across central Scotland - which is home to 3.4 million people and includes the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh - will have to close from Friday evening. Cafes that do not have an alcohol licence can stay open during the day until 18:00. In other parts of Scotland, pubs and restaurants can open but will only be able to serve alcohol outdoors. To read about the evidence that has led to the decision, head here. And for the rest of the UK, here's a guide to the rules on going out.
2. Questions over pub rules - as Greene King cuts 800 jobs
Meanwhile in England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been challenged to publish the scientific advice behind the decision to close pubs and restaurants early at 22:00. During Prime Minister's Questions Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told him the public "deserved to know" the basis for the rule, which Mr Johnson says is designed to reduce the virus spreading. There's a vote next week on whether to continue the restriction - and some Conservative MPs are opposed to it. It comes as pub chain Greene King said it is closing more than 25 pubs and cutting 800 jobs across the UK, a move it partly blamed on the lockdown restrictions.
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3. Will exams go ahead next year?
The exams fiasco earlier this year led to U-turns over how students' results will be decided. Now schools are looking ahead to 2021. The current plan is for exams to go ahead - but with key changes including trimmed-down content and later start dates. However Scotland has announced it has axed the National 5 exams - the equivalent of GCSEs down south - and will replace them with coursework and teacher assessments, although Higher and Advanced Higher exams will go ahead. Our education correspondent Sean Coughlan has more on what we know so far for other exams.
4. Ministers to look at how to cut travel quarantine time
Currently, anyone arriving into the UK must quarantine for 14 days, unless they have come from a place that is exempt. But Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says he is setting up a taskforce to look at how the self-isolation period could be reduced by testing travellers. One of the proposals is for a test taken after a few days and paid for by the passenger and if it's negative, they can stop quarantining early. The aviation industry has struggled with the drop in customers, and airports and airlines have repeatedly called for tests to be given to UK arrivals.
5. Anti-lockdown movement backed by scientists
Nearly 6,000 health experts and scientists, including dozens from the UK, have joined a global movement warning of the impact of lockdown rules. They say strict restrictions are having a devastating effect on people's physical and mental health as well as society. The group say healthy people should get on with their lives while the vulnerable are protected - but many critics have said there are flaws with that plan. To read more from young people who say their mental health has been hit hard by lockdown, look here.
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All pubs and restaurants across central Scotland are to be closed under new measures aimed at tackling a surge in coronavirus cases.
The new rules will apply to licensed premises across the central belt, including Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Pubs and restaurants will be able to open in other parts of Scotland - but can only serve alcohol outdoors.
The new rules, which will be in force from 18:00 on Friday until 25 October, apply to about 3.4 million people.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the restrictions were "intended to be short, sharp action to arrest a worrying increase in infection".
But she admitted that they would be disruptive to many businesses and would be unwelcome to many people.
The Scottish Hospitality Group, which includes many of the the country's best known pubs and restaurants, accused the first minister of "effectively signing a death sentence" for many businesses.
And the Federation of Small Businesses said the move would have a knock on impact across other parts of the economy, including tourism.
Opposition parties have called for more detail on a £40m support package for affected business that was announced by Ms Sturgeon, and have questioned the need for the blanket closure of pubs and restaurants.
The restrictions for the central belt cover people living in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Forth Valley, Lothian and Ayrshire and Arran health board areas.
In these areas, all licensed premises - with the exception of hotels for residents - will be required to close indoors and outdoors, although takeaways will be permitted.
Cafes which do not have an alcohol licence will be able to stay open until 18:00.
Snooker and pool halls, indoor bowling alleys, casinos and bingo halls will also close in the five health board areas for two weeks from 10 October.
And contact sports for people aged 18 and over will be suspended for the next two weeks - with an exception for professional sports.
Indoor group exercise activities will not be allowed, although the current rules will remain in place for under 18s and gyms can remain open for individual exercise.
Outdoor live events will not be permitted in any of the five regions for the next fortnight.
There will be no travel ban in any of the areas, but people in the central belt have been urged to avoid public transport unless it is "absolutely necessary".
And they have also been advised not to travel outside of the health board area they live in if they do not need to.
Throughout the pandemic Scotland has tended to adopt a slightly more cautious approach than England.
It has imposed more restrictions and lifted them more slowly in general. The latest move is in line with that trend.
There is little difference in overall infection rates. Scotland has seen 85 cases per 100,000 in the past week, compared to England's 109.
The measures imposed by the Scottish government are focussed on areas with the highest infection rates.
But those places are some way below the levels seen in England's hotspots.
Cities such as Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle have seen around 500 cases per 100,000 people over the past week - that is more than twice the level of infection in Glasgow for example.
But the differences between the two nations should not mask the growing concern there is in England about the infection rates, particularly in the north of country.
Senior ministers and their advisers are today discussing whether extra steps are needed south of the border.
The problem is action to supress the virus has negative consequences too.
In other parts of the country, pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes will be able to open indoors until 18:00 - but only to serve food and non-alcoholic drinks.
However, they will be able to serve alcohol in outdoor settings such as beer gardens until 22:00, with the current rules on no more than six people from two households remaining in place.
And the existing rules will continue to apply to weddings that have already been booked, and funerals, in all parts of Scotland.
It comes as Scotland recorded more than 1,000 new confirmed cases of the virus in a single day for the first time - although the country is doing far more testing now than at the height of the pandemic earlier in the year.
Speaking as she announced the new rules in the Scottish Parliament, Ms Sturgeon said the "vast majority" of pubs and restaurants had worked hard to ensure the safety of their staff and customers.
But she added: "Indoor environments, where different households from different age groups can mix, inevitably present a risk of transmission.
"That risk can be increased in some hospitality premises if good ventilation is difficult, and if it is hard to control the movement of people.
"And the presence of alcohol can of course affect people's willingness to physically distance."
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All pubs and restaurants across central Scotland are to be closed under new measures aimed at tackling a surge in coronavirus cases.
The new rules will apply to licensed premises across the central belt, including Glasgow and Edinburgh.
In other areas, they will be able to open - but can only serve alcohol outdoors.
The new rules come into force at 18:00 on Friday, and will be in place until 25 October.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the restrictions were "intended to be short, sharp action to arrest a worrying increase in infection".
But she admitted that they would be disruptive to many businesses and would be unwelcome to many people.
The licensed trade had warned ahead of the announcement that many pubs and restaurants would be forced to close for good if any further restrictions were imposed on them.
And opposition parties have called for more detail on a £40m support package for affected business that was announced by Ms Sturgeon.
The restrictions for the central belt cover about 3.4 million people living in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Forth Valley, Lothian and Ayrshire and Arran health board areas.
In these areas, all licensed premises - with the exception of hotels for residents - will be required to close indoors and outdoors, although takeaways will be permitted.
Cafes which do not have an alcohol licence will be able to stay open until 18:00.
Snooker and pool halls, indoor bowling alleys, casinos and bingo halls will also close in the five health board areas for two weeks from 10 October.
And contact sports for people aged 18 and over will be suspended for the next two weeks - with an exception for professional sports.
Indoor group exercise activities will not be allowed, although the current rules will remain in place for under 18s and gyms can remain open for individual exercise.
There will be no travel ban in any of the areas, but people in the central belt have been urged to avoid public transport unless it is "absolutely necessary".
And they have also been advised not to travel outside of the health board area they live in if they do not need to.
In other parts of the country, pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes will be able to open indoors until 18:00 - but only to serve food and non-alcoholic drinks.
However, they will be able to serve alcohol in outdoor settings such as beer gardens until 22:00, with the current rules on no more than six people from two households remaining in place.
It comes as Scotland recorded more than 1,000 new confirmed cases of the virus in a single day for the first time - although the country is doing far more testing now than at the height of the pandemic earlier in the year.
Boris Johnson has been challenged to publish the scientific evidence behind the 10pm closing time for English pubs ahead of a vote by MPs next week.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the public "deserved to know" the basis for the restriction and if it could not be justified the rule must be reviewed.
Tory MPs opposed to the move may rebel in the Commons vote.
The PM said the rationale behind it had not changed and it was designed to reduce the spread of the virus.
The two party leaders clashed over the effectiveness of national and local Covid restrictions at Prime Minister's Questions, with Sir Keir accusing the PM of incompetence and the PM saying Labour had supported the government's position, then changed its stance.
All pubs, bars, restaurants and other hospitality venues in England have been required to close at 10pm since 24 September, as part of a package of measures to try and contain a surge of new cases in the North of England.
Ministers argue it has had a "beneficial effect" on the spread of the virus in areas where the restriction had already been tried - but it has become a lighting rod for dissatisfaction on the Tory benches about Covid restrictions.
And regional leaders, including the mayors of Manchester and London, have called for it to be reviewed amid concerns it has led to large crowds gathering outside venues in some cities after closing time.
Meanwhile, pub operator Greene King has announced it will shut dozens of pubs with the loss of 800 jobs.
In other developments:
New restrictions aimed at slowing a surge in coronavirus cases are to be announced by Scotland's first minister
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said he will outline a taskforce to implement a testing system on people arriving in the country from abroad
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has urged MPs to wear face coverings while walking around Parliament
Labour believe they are onto something with this agenda of pressing the government over how competently it has responded to the Covid pandemic.
By pushing the prime minister to give more information on the scientific justification for the 10pm pub closing time, Labour are opening up the possibility they might be able to walk back from supporting it.
You can see the prime minister's frustration, because initially Labour backed the move.
By pushing the government to produce the evidence - which they haven't thus far - you wonder whether Labour might be paving the way to gang up with Tory rebels ahead of a vote on it next week.
Sir Keir said there were "deeply-held views" about the curfew issue all over the country and MPs, who will vote on whether to keep the regulations in force next week, needed to know the evidence for how it reduced transmission.
He said: "One question is now screaming out. Is there a scientific basis for the 10pm rule? The public and Parliament deserve to know. If there is, why does the government do itself a favour and publish it?
"If not, why does the government not review the rule?"
In response, Mr Johnson suggested Labour could not make its mind up whether existing restrictions were too strong or not strong enough.
"The basis on which we set out the curtailment of hospitality was the basis on which he accepted it two weeks ago and that is the reduce the spread of the virus and that is our objective," he said.
'Wrong signal'
The prime minister accused Labour of withdrawing its support for other restrictions, after its MPs were told to abstain in a vote on Tuesday on maintaining the rule of six limit on social gatherings.
"What kind of signal does this send to the people of the country about the robustness of the Labour Party and their willingness to enforce the restrictions?" he added.
During heated exchanges, the Labour leader urged the PM to be straight with the public about whether local lockdowns were working, saying the latest data showed cases were continuing to rise in 19 of the 20 areas which had been to subject to curbs on social activity, including bans on households mixing, over the past two months.
"The prime minister really needs to understand that local communities are angry and frustrated.
"The prime minister can't explain why an area goes into restrictions. He can't explain what the different restrictions are, and he can't explain how restrictions end."
Mr Johnson said the combination of local and national measures in place were needed to deal with the continued sharp rise in cases in Manchester and Liverpool but also the uptick in infections in the Midlands and London.
"The local and regional approach, combined with national measures, remains correct because two thirds of those admitted into hospital on Sunday were in the North East, North West and Yorkshire," he said.
1,054 new cases of coronavirus have been announced across Scotland in the past 24 hours - this is a huge rise in the daily figures.
Sadly one death has been recorded in the last 24 hours.
319 people are currently being treated in hospital with 28 in intensive care.
Covid cases are on the rise in Scotland.
410 new cases were reported in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 195 in Lanarkshire and 190 in Lothian.
The alarming trend shows transmission of the virus is on the rise, with hundreds of new cases now being reported each day.
The news comes as the First Minister prepared to announce further “circuit breaker” lockdown measures she’s imposing across the whole country.
She will give a statement in Parliament at 2.50pm this afternoon.
This could see non-essential shops and hospitality businesses told to close temporarily and travel restrictions on the public reimposed.
There are fears that pubs and restaurants could face temporary closure under “circuit breaker” lockdown plans for some parts of the country.
The SNP leader has emphasised that she does not want to impose a second national lockdown and that schools will remain open and there will be no Scotland-wide travel restrictions.
Top news stories today
But with the virus still spreading despite a nationwide ban on visiting other households there are concerns that covid is being transmitted in social gatherings in pubs and restaurants.
