Covid-19 immunity is waning and there is ‘huge potential’ that the virus could once again put the NHS under extreme pressure over the winter, a government scientist has warned.

Professor Andrew Hayward said the situation was ‘concerning’ and suggested ministers should ‘think about other measures’ if the virus threatens to run ‘out of control’.

It comes as the UK recorded nearly 50,000 new cases in the 24 hours to Monday, the biggest daily rise in infections since mid-July. Another 45 people died within 28 days of a positive test, bringing the total to 138,629.

Downing Street said an increase in cases had been expected over the winter and warned that the coming months will be ‘challenging’.

Government data up to Sunday show more than 300,000 confirmed cases reported over the last seven days, a 15% increase on the previous week.

The 852 deaths reported from October 11 to October 17 was 8.5% higher than the figure for the previous seven-day period.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics on Friday showed coronavirus infection levels in England are getting close to the peak seen at the height of the second wave and are mostly being driven by rates among schoolchildren.

Prof Hayward, a member of the Sage scientific advisory panel, told BBC Radio 4’s World At One: ‘I think it’s concerning that we’ve got very high rates of infection and higher rates of hospitalisation and mortality than many of our European counterparts.’

He said waning immunity is ‘probably part of’ the reason infections are currently high, adding there is ‘some evidence’ protection against infection is beginning to wear off and ‘probably some evidence’ protection against severe disease is waning to a lesser extent.

Prof Hayward added: ‘We shouldn’t be complacent because there is still huge potential for the NHS to come under a lot of pressure and for there to be a lot of unnecessary deaths.

‘So we need to get the vaccination rates up and we need to be prepared potentially to think about other measures if things do get out of control.’

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘We obviously keep very close watch on the latest statistics. We always knew the coming months would be challenging.

‘What we are seeing is case rates, hospitalisations and deaths still broadly in line with the modelling as set out a few months back now.

‘The vaccination programme will continue to be our first line of defence, along with new treatments, testing and public health advice.

‘But we will obviously keep a close watch on cases.

‘But it is thanks to our vaccination programme that we are able to substantially break the link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths.’

The spokesman said the success of the vaccines meant ‘we are able to be one of the most open economies in Europe, which is benefiting the public and indeed businesses as well’.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman added: ‘What’s important is we strike the right balance between protecting lives and livelihoods.’

The Government’s autumn and winter plan suggested that some measures including the mandatory use of vaccine passports and face coverings could be required in England if cases were putting unsustainable pressure on the NHS.

But Downing Street insisted ‘there is absolutely no plan to introduce Plan B currently’.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Source: Read Full Article