COVID-19 cases soar in UK: highest number since mid-January

The British Department of Health on Wednesday confirmed a total of 42,302 new COVID-19 infections, which is the highest figure since January 15, when 42,300 cases were confirmed.

With this figure, the global number rose to 5,233,207 infected. Regarding the deceased, the health authorities have confirmed 49 more, so a total of 128,530 people have died from COVID-19 in the UK since the start of the pandemic.

With reference to the progress of the vaccination plan, data provided by the UK Department of Health shows that Over 46 million people have already received the first dose of the vaccine, 87.4% of the population, while over 35.1 million, 66.7%, have the full regimen.

Johnson confirmed this week that From next Monday, physical distancing and wearing a mask will no longer be mandatory, although the latter always recommended in closed and crowded places, like public transport.

Each of the four nations that make up the UK, with health expertise, decide on their own measures to deal with the health crisis.

In Scotland, restrictions on coronaviruses will be relaxed from Monday, but wearing a mask will remain compulsory.

At Gusts of wind, most of the remaining restrictions will be lifted in August, but masks will remain mandatory on transport and in most public places. North Ireland has yet to announce its schedule.

The relaxation of restrictions is part of a noticeable increase in infections in the UK, blamed on the spread of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Precisely on Wednesday, more than a thousand scientists signed a letter asking Prime Minister Johnson to postpone the easing of restrictions, while accusing the government of seeking “herd immunity with massive infections”.

On the other hand, the interval between the two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine can decreased in the UK from eight to four weeks to speed up administration of the full immunization schedule, in response to the rapid spread of Delta variantreported the newspaper Sunday Times.

The UK government has asked the so-called Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) urgent advice to reduce the interval between the two doses, with a view to lifting all restrictions in England from July 19, adds Sunday.

The initial decision to delay the application of the second dose was made to expand the scope of the vaccination campaign and ensuring that more people have some protection against the novel coronavirus.

In the event that the JCVI gives the green light for this change, it will allow trips abroad for millions of people during the school holidays which begin at the end of July and which will last until the first days of September.

(With information from Europa Press)

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