Scientific government officials say the daily number of positive cases is on course to surpass the highest peak of the pandemic within a matter of weeks, with both the omicron and delta variants circulating alongside one another to fuel a swift wave of infections.
Ahead of this expected surge and a feared subsequent rise in admissions, NHS leaders have warned there is already “huge amounts of pressure” on hospitals. The risk of doctors and nurses catching omicron and being forced out of work is also adding to growing “nervousness” in the health service.
It is understood health officials in Whitehall are becoming increasingly worried by the emerging data on omicron, as the UK recorded 45,691 new Covid cases yesterday – a 15 per cent increase on last week’s figure.
A total of 437 omicron infections have been detected to date but experts believe this figure to be closer to 2,000, with cases of the variant suspected to be doubling every days. Prime minister Boris Johnson has told ministers that “early indications” suggest omicron is more transmissible than delta, which is set to be eventually displaced in the UK by the new variant.
It is unclear to what extent omicron is capable of evading the body’s immune response, or the severity of disease it causes, but growing belief that the UK could experience a sudden rise in cases ahead of Christmas has sparked alarm among health leaders.
Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, said “there is a high degree of nervousness” around the projections for winter and how the health service will cope with any surge in hospitalisations caused by omicron.
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin December 08, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin December 08, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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