Jenny Harris, chief executive of Britain’s Health and Safety Agency, said infections from Covid-19 were “extremely high” but did not translate into hospitalizations and deaths. He told BBC Radio 4 Today: “In the last week, up to 25 March, there were about three and a half million people, which is a very high level.
But what we don’t see, of course, is an important translation of this into serious illness, hospitalization and, above all, death. There was a slight increase in the death rate last week and again…there is a lot of pressure in some hospitals and we shouldn’t underestimate it.
“But overall, the immune system through the vaccination program has been really successful and of course we have a cure now.”
The country’s chief medical officer said this is happening at a time when alternative Omicron in England is expected by a “big wave”. Professor Sir Chris White said he expects the BA.2 variant to appear in autumn and winter if it is not replaced by a new Covid formula.
Speaking at the Covid Science conference hosted by the Royal Society, he said: “We’re not really out of danger now. Even without the new alternative we’d see a fairly big wave of BA.2, which I think isn’t over yet in England, and probably in Scotland. .
“But I’m sure it will continue, especially when fall/winter comes, unless something else happens. There will be many new options and we can get some that dramatically avoid the vaccine, in which case we are in a completely different situation.”
The situation in England reached an almost record high on Friday, with it possible that one in 16 private households in England – or 3.5 million people – contracted Covid-19 in the week leading up to 19 March.
That’s about 1 in 20 people, or 2.7 million, in the previous week and the third consecutive week that infections were estimated to have increased.
Asked if there was a good time to complete testing without Covid, UKHSA chief Ms Jenny Harris said the UK was facing an unpredictable pandemic.
He said: “The pandemic is on track and will remain highly unpredictable for the next 18 months or two years for example, I think there is a general consensus and we have to be constantly vigilant to monitor these indicators and respond appropriately to any new options.”
“But as with other respiratory viruses, like influenza, we have to put up with it at some point.”
People should continue to take precautions, he said, adding that he will continue to wear face masks in stores and on public transportation.
He said hot weather is likely to reduce the infection rate and that the population’s immunity is high before people ask for doctors’ referral.
Source: Belfastlive
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
