Coronavirus in the UK: the wave of “unprecedented” cases hitting and worrying the country

“#While the number of cases reported today includes some from the holiday period, these figures are largely a reflection of a real increase,” he added.

The infection rate is believed to have been much higher during the first wave in #April, but the number of tests was limited at the time.

#Hopkins said it is “essential” at this time that social distancing rules are followed to help reduce infections.

#Currently the #Hospitals in #England and #Wales are treating more #Covid-19 patients than during the highest peak of the first wave of the pandemic in #April.

#At the same time, #Scottish authorities in the north of the country have asked people to stay home and not celebrate the #New #Year with people from other homes.

A scientist advising the #British government says “decisive” action is needed to tackle the spread of the virus in the UK and prevent a “catastrophe”.

#Andrew #Hayward, a scientist at the #New and #Emerging #Respiratory #Virus #Threat #Advisory #Group (#Nervtag), warned that the new variant of the virus is pushing the country into “a very dangerous new phase of the pandemic.”

#In an interview with the BBC’s #Today program, he assured that “the 50% increase in transmissibility” of the new variant means that the restrictions that worked before “will not work now”, so it is likely that more severe restrictions are needed. throughout #England.

“I think we really are in a situation where we are approaching lockdown,” he added.

#In the #United #Kingdom a level four of restrictions is currently in force – the strictest so far – in several regions of #England, this level urges the population to stay home and orders the closure of non-essential stores, beauty salons, hair salons and gyms.

#Health #Minister #Matt #Hancock confirmed on #Wednesday that infections were spreading beyond the #British capital, so far the worst-hit region in the country.

“#As we have seen in the data of the last days, it is clear that the number of infections is increasing; sadly it is not only happening in #London and the #South #East as we saw it in the last weeks, but it is starting to expand to other parts of the country“he said in an interview with the BBC.

The minister added that the new variant has made it “much more difficult” to control the virus and reported that they would soon announce new restrictions in other regions of the country.

#Meanwhile, some hospitals in #London have begun exploring the transfer of critically ill patients to facilities outside the capital as wards reach full capacity, the #Health #Service #Journal reported.

#According to official figures, on #Tuesday there were 21,787 patients with coronavirus in hospitals from the NHS – the #British public health service – in #England, compared with 20,426 on #Monday and 18,974 during the peak of the first wave on #April 12.

#Five out of seven regions in #England currently report a record number of #Covid-19 patients, including #London, the #South #East and #South #West #England.

BBC #Health #Editor

#We must pay attention to these high numbers that break records and put pressure on the NHS.

#Many hospitals in the UK are already treating more people with COVID-19 than during the first wave and the situation seems to will worsen, #At least in the short term.

#New infections are increasing rapidly, putting even more pressure on already busy emergency rooms.

#Although much of the UK has already introduced tougher restrictions, we still don’t know if they will be enough to keep infections down, or at least to keep them at manageable levels.

There is a new variant of covid-19 that spreads more easily, which complicates things.

#And we still need to know if the bans during the #Christmas period will have any impact on the numbers.

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