The UK’s leading medical union has joined calls for the next planned blockade in England to be delayed, as figures on Friday showed new cases of COVID-19 across the UK at their highest level since late February .
The increase in new infections occurs as a result of the spread of the delta variant first identified in India.
Government figures showed that 8,125 new cases were registered on Friday. This is the highest figure since February 26 and means that the 7-day average, which softens daily fluctuations, has tripled over the past month.
The delta variant, which is considered to be at least 40% more transmissible than the previous dominant strain, now accounts for more than 90% of all new infections in the UK.
The recovery of the cases has led several scientists to ask the British government to delay the next blockade planned in England from 21 June.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is currently hosting the summit of the group of seven leaders in Cornwall in the south-west of England, will announce on Monday whether he will sanction the next reduction in the blockade, which is intended to remove legal limits turned on social contact—Includes the reopening of nightclubs for the first time since the pandemic occurred in March 2020.
The pressure on him to authorize a delay, or at least to limit the scale of changes, increases.
On Friday, the British Medical Association said a “significant delay” would help keep caps on infections, as it would allow more people to be vaccinated with first and second doses, particularly younger people who see the highest proportion of infections.
“With only 54.2% of adult population currently fully vaccinated and many young people not yet eligible, there is a high risk that prematurely relaxing all restrictions will undo the excellent work of the vaccine program and lead to an increase in infections, ”said Dr. Chaand Nagpaul, President of the council of the British College of Physicians.
“It’s not just about the number of hospitalizations, but also the health risk of a large number of young people, who may suffer long-term symptoms that affect their lives and their ability to work,” he added. .
The UK has recorded nearly 128,000 coronavirus-related deaths, more than any other nation in Europe. After a devastating wave of winter infections, deaths have dropped dramatically recently after a strict blockade of months and the rapid introduction of vaccines. The launch, based mainly on age, has been extended earlier this week to young people aged 25 to 29. The government has said it wants all adults to have received at least one dose of vaccine by the end of July.
The improved fund has allowed this confinement restrictions that will be reduced in the UK over the last two months. The four nations of the UK – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – have lifted restrictions at different rates, but have generally been pursuing similar plans for the summer.
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