Easing of England lockdown next week 'highly unlikely' to overwhelm NHS

[Northerner]

Moving to step two of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown next week is “highly unlikely” to overwhelm the NHS – but further easing in the summer could unleash a third wave as deadly as that seen in winter, Sage scientists warn.

Outbreak modellers have advised the government that the next step in reopening England, from 12 April, could cause infections to start rising again but not to a degree that is expected to put NHS care at risk.

In papers released by Sage on Monday, the outbreak modelling subgroup said there was “considerable uncertainty” around the level of control that could be achieved at each step of the roadmap, but that moving to step two next week was “highly unlikely to put unsustainable pressure on the NHS”.

After step one allowed schools to reopen, step two permits all retail to resume, along with the reopening of pubs, cafes and restaurants for outdoor eating and drinking only. Other venues, such as hairdressers and nail salons, libraries and indoor gyms and pools, are also due to reopen.

Easing of England lockdown next week 'highly unlikely' to overwhelm NHS

But Sage scientists add that further easing in summer could unleash third wave as deadly as last

www.theguardian.com

 

[nonethewiser]

Got to hope no surge in cases over coming weeks, expect it will rise but not as before.

Reading in papers on weekend that Hancock is being brought to court to explain why pubs restaurants can't serve indoors yet all shops are allowed to be open to public, can see there point but can also see why govt would want to stagger things, still big hit for trade that is struggling in best of times.

 

[mikeydt1]

don't worry sage will soon be at it again about the R rate increasing and putting pressure on J to lock the country down again Hancocks will be in there like a bullet to bully J to get his own way.

 

[mikeyB]

Sure, open the pubs. A slight surge in infections doesn’t directly mean a surge in hospital admissions, except for the old guy who sits in the corner of pub nursing a half pint for two hours. They are an endless supply, anyway.