Eight days before ‘Freedom Day’ UK COVID-19 cases drop sharply

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday called for caution after Britain faced the sharp drop in the number of daily coronavirus cases, a drop that surprised officials and experts.

Infection rates across the UK have fallen for seven consecutive days, with 23,511 new cases announced on Tuesday, less than half of the 46,558 last Tuesday. This is the seventh consecutive day that positive values ​​have declined.

The setback, after weeks of rate hikes, coincided with the removal, on July 19, of nearly all pandemic regulations in England, including legal requirements for social distancing with the use of a mask in clothes. public places. This confused the government and scientists, who had previously warned that cases would likely increase to 100,000 per day in the coming weeks following the relaxation of restrictions.

Experts have struggled to explain why infections appear to have declined so dramatically since the start of last week.

The end of the Euro 2020 football tournament – which has been attributed to the increase in cases among young men who have gathered in bars and homes to watch matches – as well as school holidays and the heatwave (which favors open space meetings), were identified as factors.

Despite the change in trend, ministers warn long-term situation remains uncertain. And if the analysis of the possible causes is correct, it would be a matter of time for a further increase, with the return of prices and a less hot climate.

“I observed that obviously we have been six days with better numbers, but it is very, very important that we do not allow ourselves to draw premature conclusions about thisJohnson said during a visit to a south-east England police station. “People have to be very careful and this is always the government’s approach,” he added.

Johnson ended 10 days of self-isolation on Monday, after coming in close contact with Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this month. The Prime Minister argued that Britain’s successful vaccination campaign – which vaccinated 70% of adults – allowed legal restrictions to be relaxed last week.

This is the first time since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 that the number of cases has decreased without being the consequence of containment, which would also reflect the impact of the vaccine.

But the easing of the measures has drawn widespread criticism, fearing that the National Health Service will come under great pressure again due to the increase in the number of cases, even though far fewer people are now dying from COVID. In this sense, the decline in infections is not yet reflected in the hospitalization curve, which continues to increase slightly.

“The recent drop in cases in England is great news, but also is confusing given that there has been a gradual easing of restrictionsSaid Stephen Griffin of Leeds University School of Medicine. But, echoing Johnson’s call for caution, he added: “I would be surprised if we saw this decline continue.”

(With information from AFP)

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