Several leading British doctors warned, on Wednesday 24 June, in an open letter published in the British Medical Journal, against a resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic, deeming the risk of a second wave in the United Kingdom very real . The latter urge the British political class to prepare the country for the "real risk" of a second wave of the pandemic, when a major stage of deconfinement is looming there.

"While it is difficult to predict the evolution of the pandemic, the available evidence shows that local outbreaks are more and more likely and that a second wave constitutes a real risk," they write in the open letter.

"Constructive" and "non-partisan" Commission

Following the announcement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the reopening in early July of pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, museums and cinemas closed since the end of March, these representatives of the medical world believe that "it is now not only to deal with the significant repercussions of the first phase of the pandemic, but also to ensure that the country is properly prepared to contain a second phase, "they add.

The signatories plead for the establishment of a "constructive" and "non-partisan" commission which would produce an evaluation from August and at the end of October at the latest. "It should focus on areas of weakness where urgent action is needed to avoid further deaths and restore the economy as completely and quickly as possible." 

Signatories to the letter include Derek Alderson, President of the Royal College of Surgeons, Andrew Goddard, President of the Royal College of Physicians, and Katherine Henderson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.

"Many devices to contain the virus are starting to be deployed, but significant challenges remain," add these doctors, urging the authorities to carry out a careful examination to avoid a second wave of contagion.

"Always risks"

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Tuesday that pubs, restaurants and hotels could reopen on July 4 in England.

According to a count made Tuesday by Reuters, the number of deaths due to Covid-19 in the United Kingdom amounts to 54 089. This assessment is one of the heaviest in the world.

But the government believes it has made enough progress against the virus to loosen the grip further. 

Business Minister Alok Sharma acknowledged on the BBC on Wednesday that there are "still risks" but that the government has taken a "cautious" approach. 

At a press conference on Tuesday, the head of the English health services, Chris Whitty, said that these new relaxations were not "without risk" and that the virus would probably remain present "until next spring". 

With AFP and Reuters

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