THE worst of Covid is finally over as jabs reduce deaths, scientists believe.
They back Boris Johnson's light-touch rules and say that mass fatalities and hospitalisations from the virus are over.
Virology expert Sir John Bell backed the Government's decision not to impose fresh Covid restrictions in England before the start of the new year.
The Regius Professor of medicine at Oxford University, who helped drive the development of the AstraZeneca vaccine, said the inoculation programme had helped bring down death rates.
He added: "The horrific scenes that we saw a year ago - intensive care units being full, lots of people dying prematurely that is now history in my view and I think we should be reassured that that's likely to continue."
Sir John said the public had been “pretty responsible" in the response to the spread of the Omicron virus variant, adding that the Government's judgment about "where we should go in the next few days is probably fine.
“There are a lot of people who are aware that we are in the face of this large wave of disease.
"The behaviour of people in the UK, in England in particular, has been pretty responsible in terms of trying not to go out and spending a lot of time exposing yourself to the virus. You look at the people on the streets, the roads are quiet, all that stuff. I think that's likely to continue for the next week as we see how this thing evolves."
Health minister Gillian Keegan advised revellers in England to have fun celebrating the New Year but said: "Just be cautious but do try to enjoy yourself as well."
This story is from the December 29, 2021 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 29, 2021 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'Horrible' hero who was key for Clough
FAREWELL TO HARDMAN
BEE WARNED
Ten Hag's return to scene of rout offers a stark reminder
MOM PICKS UP
Aussie finally fires for Rhinos
Mum's the word...Laura made the right call
GLOVER: WE SHARE BOND
Teenager held over murder bid in front of commuters
A TEENAGER has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a man was left fighting for his life in a stabbing on a commuter train.
Tears of the hungry
Children battling for food as UN admits it is 'plausible Israel using starvation as weapon'
Putin 'using deadly new glide bomb
RUSSIA may have used a new type of bomb in deadly strikes on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
We're hiding £1bn of broken gadgets in 'drawer of doom'
HOMES are stockpiling as many as 30 broken devices and unused electrical items, including old remote controls and mobile phones, figures show.
Couple forced to sell family home in legal row over fence
A DAD jailed in a neighbours' fence dispute has been told to sell his family home to pay £475,000 court bills.
"The end of the BBC is undoubtedly on its way'
Doctor Who's creator Russell says his show is likely to outlive the broadcaster