We may not be able to rely on case data. But here's the latest PHE map of cases. Not now restricted to the north east and the north west - look at London
So if we can't rely on cases, we have to use other metrics.
Here is a graph of admissions to hospital in England.
478 people were admitted today. And the trend is upwards.
What happens if you deteriorate is that you end up in ICU or a High Dependency Unit.
So what's happening there? These are increasing too.
We also know that we are not doing enough testing as the positivity rate is so high (7% overall for Pillar 2 tests and up to 15% in some areas such as Liverpool) (see this thread)
First, note that the Department of Health and Social care is the data controller for Pillar 2 tests. It passes these data to Public Health England, and DHSC are responsible for the data.
The statement says:
"we have identified that 15,841 cases between 25 September and 2 October were not included in the reported daily COVID-19 cases"
"New York City on Wednesday will close public schools and nonessential businesses in parts of Brooklyn and Queens that have registered a week-long spike in coronavirus cases"