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On 23 March 2020, the day on which the prime minister announced the first UK lockdown, just over 1,000 people had died of a new and frightening coronavirus. Two years later, that figure now stands at above 188,000.
The UK endured several more lockdowns over the next two years as new variants emerged and cases soared, causing unprecedented disruption.
But as 2021 wore on, the vaccine rollout gave cause for optimism, with numbers of deaths and seriously ill patients on ventilators lower during the most recent Omicron wave than in previous spikes.
However, as we mark the two-year anniversary of the first lockdown, some experts are concerned that cases are increasing again just as the government has ended all Covid restrictions and intends to phase out free testing.
In Scotland, the number of Covid patients in hospitals has reached its highest ever level.
Dr Simon Clarke, biology professor at the University of Reading, said: “I understand that the UK government is keen to stop spending on expensive testing infrastructure, and people have had enough of isolation requirements.
“But the government must be careful not to dismantle all the systems which have allowed UK planners to stay ahead of the Omicron wave through a successful vaccination drive.”
www.theguardian.com
The UK endured several more lockdowns over the next two years as new variants emerged and cases soared, causing unprecedented disruption.
But as 2021 wore on, the vaccine rollout gave cause for optimism, with numbers of deaths and seriously ill patients on ventilators lower during the most recent Omicron wave than in previous spikes.
However, as we mark the two-year anniversary of the first lockdown, some experts are concerned that cases are increasing again just as the government has ended all Covid restrictions and intends to phase out free testing.
In Scotland, the number of Covid patients in hospitals has reached its highest ever level.
Dr Simon Clarke, biology professor at the University of Reading, said: “I understand that the UK government is keen to stop spending on expensive testing infrastructure, and people have had enough of isolation requirements.
“But the government must be careful not to dismantle all the systems which have allowed UK planners to stay ahead of the Omicron wave through a successful vaccination drive.”
The Covid pandemic two years on – where we are now in the UK, in numbers
Analysis: With experts concerned over rising UK case rates, where are we also with deaths, hospital admissions, long Covid and the economy?
www.theguardian.com