Infections surge, vaccination slows down, British government's loose epidemic prevention strategy is questioned

　　China News Service, October 20, reported that the new crown epidemic in the UK has rebounded significantly recently. In the past month, the number of infections has surged by more than 60%.

At the same time, the progress of vaccination in the UK has slowed significantly.

Experts warn that the continued high number of new crown cases, coupled with the surge in patients with respiratory diseases in autumn and winter, may overwhelm the British medical system.

　　The report pointed out that the Johnson administration's anti-epidemic strategy has thus been questioned again.

However, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Johnson said a few days ago that the British government has always known that the next few months may be full of challenges and is paying close attention to case data. However, there is no need to strengthen epidemic prevention measures at present, and emphasized that "the right way to protect lives and livelihoods is achieved. The balance is very important.”

Data map: Pedestrians walk past the vaccination center of Westminster Abbey in London, England.

Nearly 50,000 confirmed cases in the UK

Experts call for attention to the spread of Deltaya variants

　　According to reports, in the past two weeks, the number of new cases in a single day in the UK has been hovering at the level of 35,000 to 40,000. On the 18th, there were nearly 50,000 new cases, a record high since mid-July.

After the beginning of summer, the number of new deaths in a single day in the UK exceeded 100 many times, with a total of nearly 140,000 deaths.

　　Jim Naismith, a structural biologist at the University of Oxford, said: "Sadly, the current level of COVID-19 in the UK is higher than most other comparable countries. This is not only reflected in the positive test rate, but also in hospitalizations and deaths. ."

　　At the same time, scientists have discovered that there have been more and more cases of AY.4.2 subvariant virus mutated from the Delta variant of the new coronavirus, which currently accounts for about 10% of confirmed cases in the UK.

Experts warn that the infectivity of AY.4.2 may be 10% to 15% higher than that of the Delta variant, and the new coronavirus still has a lot of room for variation. Even if the vaccination rate in various places continues to rise, it still cannot be taken lightly.

　　Some experts also warned that the continued high number of new crown cases, coupled with the surge in patients with respiratory diseases in autumn and winter, may overwhelm the British medical system.

Data map: On April 12, 2021 local time, the United Kingdom entered the second phase of relaxing the epidemic lockdown measures.

Shops, barber shops, gyms, etc. are allowed to reopen, and bars and restaurants can also be opened outdoors.

It is reported that on the first night the bar was unblocked, a large number of people in London drank and danced in the city center, and the scene was like a carnival.

No masks, slower vaccination

The British

　　In recent months, the progress of vaccination in the UK has slowed significantly, especially the vaccination rate of British school children is still very low.

Since the opening of vaccination for children aged 12 to 15 last month, only 15% of this group have received a dose of the vaccine.

　　Simon Clarke, associate professor of cellular microbiology at the University of Reading, pointed out that the high infection rate among older school children is “obviously a driving factor for this new wave of epidemics”.

　　On the other hand, as one of the first countries to start the vaccination program, the immunity of those who have been vaccinated in the UK may be weakening. So far, only 41% of them have received the booster.

　　The British attitude towards epidemic prevention measures may also be related to the surge in cases.

The UK has completely unblocked it in July, including no longer compelling people to wear masks.

A poll conducted by YouGov, a polling agency, also shows that about 15% of British people said that they never wear masks in public places.

In addition, compared to continental Europe, more people in the UK resume taking public transportation or attend large gatherings.

　　Singapore’s "Lianhe Zaobao" pointed out that this has aroused criticism of the British government for being "overly complacent and ineffective in preventing the epidemic."

　　However, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Johnson said a few days ago that the government has always known that the next few months may be full of challenges and is paying close attention to case data, but there is no need to strengthen epidemic prevention measures at this time.

The spokesperson also pointed out that the measures and vaccination schedules adopted by various countries are different, so it is difficult to compare, and emphasized that "it is very important to strike the right balance between protecting lives and livelihoods."

　　According to the "Plan B" announced by British Prime Minister Johnson last month, if the medical system is under unsustainable pressure due to the epidemic, the UK may again implement some measures, including mask orders, home office work and the use of vaccine passports.