UK sees highest Covid death toll in 7 months, doctors call for curbs to return

The UK has the eighth highest death toll from COVID-19 globally, with nearly 139,000 deaths. But its vaccine program also got a quick start and Prime Minister Boris Johnson lifted almost all COVID-19 restrictions in England and ended social distancing measures.

Johnson has repeatedly said Britain’s early success with vaccinations means England will navigate a bumpy winter without the need for a new lockdown, having previously shut down the economy three times.

But doctors have expressed concern that increased hospital visits, combined with pressure on the NHS from the seasonal virus, could leave hospitals dealing with long waiting lists and unable to function normally.

NHS Confederation chief executive Matthew Taylor called for measures that Johnson has in reserve, such as wearing a mask and working from home, that would only be minor inconveniences and could avoid stumbling blocks in the crisis.

“I talk to health leaders every day, and I literally haven’t spoken to a leader who doesn’t say that their service is now under extreme pressure. It’s mid-October. Things are only going to get worse, Taylor told BBC Radio.

“Healthcare is right on the edge… if you go too far we won’t be able to provide the level of service that people need.”

Trade Minister Quasi Quarteng said another lockdown would be wrong and also downplayed the possibility that more limited measures would be taken soon.

“Ministers, scientists, experts are looking at the data on an hourly basis,” he told the BBC. “And we don’t think right now is the time for Plan B.”

A parliamentary report on Britain’s response to the early stages of the pandemic said thousands of people had died due to delays and other failures in the lockdown.

Britain on Tuesday reported 223 new deaths from COVID-19, the highest daily figure since March, and the highest number of cases in Europe.

Johnson’s government has said it is relying on vaccinations, including booster shots for vulnerable people, to survive the lockdown this winter.

But the vaccine rollout has stalled, falling behind many European countries. Britain’s quick start with vaccines also means those first vaccinated may have reduced immunity, and scientists are urging to speed up booster shots.

Andrew Pollard, head of the Oxford Vaccine Group, said the risk was mainly in the unrelated.

“There may be some minimal initial pressure on (booster) transmissions that we are seeing at the moment,” he told BBC radio.

“But … the biggest issue for intensive care is not highly vaccinated individuals, it remains unreported.”

A subtype of delta growing in England is unlikely to change the picture, he said.

This story has been published without modification in text from a wire agency feed. Only the title has been changed.