One in four no longer scared of catching coronavirus

Almost one in four people are now not concerned that they could catch Covid-19, according to a poll that also suggests a drop in the number of people observing lockdown rules.

Some 23 per cent of respondents to an ORB survey said they were not "afraid" that they or a family member could become infected with the disease, compared to just 12 per cent at the start of the nationwide lockdown in March.

Meanwhile, only 71 per cent said people in their neighbourhood were generally respecting the rules in place to prevent an increase in transmission.

The findings will add to concern that adherence to the rules is slipping, despite concerns among ministers, scientists and doctors about the possibility of a dangerous second peak of infections.

On Friday, Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, admitted that there was a “challenge” in both the North West and the South West of England in relation to the spread of the disease.

He warned: "The reason that it is vital that people stick to the rules this weekend is to protect themselves and their family from this horrific disease."

The ORB poll also showed growing disapproval of the Government's response to the pandemic, with 56 per cent now saying they do not agree that the Government is handling Covid-19 well - up from 52 per cent last week.

Now just 38 per cent of people agree that the Government is handling the epidemic well, with 56 per cent disagreeing.

The online survey of 2,090 adults found that 70 per cent of people were afraid that either themselves or a member of their family may catch Covid-19, with 23 per cent disagreeing and 7 per cent saying that they did not know either way.

More than a quarter (26 per cent) of those surveyed believed that the spread of the virus in the UK is now "under control", compared to 17 per cent in mid April. Questioned over the course of Wednesday and Thursday last week, 16 per cent said they believed that the threat from Covid-19 was exaggerated - although 78 per cent disagreed.