No 10 has admitted it does not know when the peak of the coronavirus pandemic will hit, making an early easing of the lockdown even less likely.

But, asked for the government’s latest forecast, the Downing Street spokesman said: “It is too early to say when the peak is going to be.”

He added: “The focus needs now to be relentlessly on stopping the transmission of this disease.”

Dominic Raab, the stand-in prime minister, had already all-but admitted the lockdown will continue – although a review will take place next week, as required by law.

And the Welsh government appeared to confirm the restrictions will stay in place, in an announcement that blindsided its counterparts in London.

“We are definitely extending the lockdown – it will not be raised next Tuesday,” said housing minister Julie James.

The No10 spokesman said it was not predicting the timescale for the peak on the advice of its scientists, adding: “They have been clear that it is too early for us to be able to definitively say.”

Jeremy Hunt, the former health secretary, suggested it could be a month before an easing of the lockdown could be even contemplated.

Coronavirus: London on lockdown Show all 29 1 /29 Coronavirus: London on lockdown Coronavirus: London on lockdown A man walks down a deserted Camden High Street Photos Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Goodge Street Station is one of the many stations closed to help reduce the spread Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown An empty street in the heart of Chinatown Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown People in masks in Chinatown a day after the lockdown Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A near-empty Piccadilly Circus during the first week of lockdown Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Sonja, my neighbour, who I photographed while taking a short walk. It was nice to briefly chat even from a distance Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A couple sit on the empty steps of the statue Eros in Piccadilly Circus Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Making sure I stay two-meters apart – D’Arblay Street, Soho Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A mannequin behind a shop window. UK stores have closed until further notice Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A notice displayed on a shop window in Camden Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown As part of the lockdown, all non-essential shops have been ordered to close.Image from Camden High Street Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A skateboarder wearing a mask utilises his exercise allowance in the Camden area Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Communities have been coming together in a time of need Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A woman stands alone in a deserted Oxford Street. Up until a few weeks ago, on average, half a million people visited the street per day Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A couple walk hand in hand down a street in Soho, a day before the stricter lockdown was announced Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown During the first week of March, shoppers focused on stockpiling necessities ahead of a countrywide lockdown Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Many supermarkers are operating a queuing system to make sure only a limited amount of customers are allowed in at anyone time Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown ‘Stay Safe’ – Curzon cinemas are temporarily closed under the new measures Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Pubs, restaurants and bars were ordered to shut as part of the lockdown Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Camden High Street There are fears that coronavirus could lead to permanent closure of struggling shops Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Camden Town is eerily silent on a normal working day Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Shops and supermarkets ran out of hand sanitisers in the first week of the lockdown. As we approach the end of the second week most shops now have started to stock up Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Empty streets around Soho Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A noticeboard on Camden High Street urges the public to stay at home Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Camden High Street, one of London’s busiest tourist streets turns quiet Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Thriller Live confirmed its West End run ended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Empty and eerie Soho streets after stricter rules on social distancing announced Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A woman pauses for a cigarette on Hanway Street, behind Tottenham Court Road Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A man steps outside onto Hanway Street, that sits behind what is usually a bustling retail hub Angela Christofilou

“You hit the peak, perhaps the beginning of next week – then you have 2-3 weeks before you start to see the numbers decisively turning,” he told BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme.

On testing, Downing Street defended its progress after just 14,000 tests were carried out on Monday, on fewer than 10,000 patients – when the target is 100,000 daily tests by the end of this month.

“We have been making good progress,” the spokesman said, pointing to more than 20,000 checks now carried out on NHS staff and their family members.

And he backed the performance of the World Health Organisation, after Donald Trump attacked it, insisting Britain had no plans to pull funding.

He also played down the US president revealing the UK has asked for 200 ventilators, saying he was referring to orders from US companies that had already been placed.

Dominic Cummings, the prime minister’s chief aide, is still recovering from coronavirus at home, the spokesman said: “He has been in contact with No 10, but is not working in No 10 at the moment.”

He insisted cats and dogs can go outside, contrary to some suggestions they should be kept indoors to guard against the risk of them spreading coronavirus.