The United Kingdom is one of the world’s leading countries in the spread of Covid-19, but the authorities are not currently planning to introduce new restrictions, relying on the success of vaccination.
A new wave of the pandemic is hitting Eastern Europe, where the percentage of the vaccinated population is still low, and China is banning residents from regions with confirmed cases from entering the capital.
According to Johns Hopkins University, the total number of infections worldwide over the past 28 days was approximately 12 million, with approximately 199,000 deaths as a result of Covid-19.
The current weekly infection rate is relatively low compared to summer levels: 2.9 million people were infected last week, while in August, during the previous peak, the weekly number of infections was around 4.5 million.
However, the pandemic is entering a new phase in many countries around the world, with authorities in some countries implementing restrictive measures. The virus is particularly active in Eastern European countries, including Russia, and the United Kingdom.
According to Sunday’s results, the highest rates of COVID-19 spread in the world were recorded in Great Britain: here, in recent days, they have recorded 40-50 thousand new diagnoses. Russia is in second place in this indicator (about 38 thousand), followed by Turkey (about 25 thousand) and Ukraine (over 20 thousand infected every day).
Johns Hopkins University also provides the number of cases in countries around the world for the last 28 days: the United States is in first place in the world for this indicator (about 2.5 million new cases), followed by the United Kingdom (1.1 million), Turkey (812 thousand), and Russia is in fourth place (about 800 thousand).
According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, one in every 55 Britons is currently infected with the coronavirus. Government adviser Professor Peter Openshaw told the BBC that the figure was “remarkably high” compared to other Western European countries.
Boris Johnson at the vaccination center However, the mortality rate in Great Britain is significantly lower than in Russia or Ukraine, where sad records have been set not only for the number of people infected, but also for the number of deaths. Experts attribute this to the successful vaccination of the population: about 67% of Britons have been fully immunized.
However, due to the high level of infectivity, many doctors are suggesting that authorities begin implementing the so-called “Plan B”, which means mandatory wearing of masks in transportation and closed public places, use of Covid passes, and office workers working from home. We explain quickly, simply, and clearly what happened, why it matters, and what will happen next. Episodes End of Podcast Advertising Story However, the authorities are not currently planning to reintroduce restrictive measures.
On Monday, Health Secretary Sajid Javid promised on the BBC that Britons would have a normal Christmas, but urged people to be responsible and get vaccinated. In London, teenagers and the most vulnerable are receiving booster shots (some are already being offered a third dose). Open Show is calling on the government to take active steps and fears that otherwise Britain could face another lockdown Christmas.
Although the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations is now relatively low, the number of people waiting for non-COVID-19 medical procedures has increased significantly during the pandemic. Approximately 5.7 million Britons are currently waiting for hospital admission. The government has already announced an additional £6 billion of investment in the healthcare system. Through this investment, the government expects to increase the efficiency of the system by 30% by 2024.
Please upgrade your browser to view the interactive project. Sources: Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, USA), local authorities Last updated:
July 5, 2022, 10:59 GMT+3
The largest climate conference COP26 under the auspices of the UN will begin in Glasgow in a week, with the participation of 20-25 thousand people. Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf acknowledged that such a gathering of people could lead to an increase in contagious diseases, but stressed that all safety measures will be observed during the event.
“There is not a single public health expert in the world who would not consider it a risk to have tens of thousands of people in one city during a global pandemic,” Yusaf said. “Of course, there is a risk of an increase in COVID cases after the conference, but we will do everything possible to minimize it.”
The minister added that currently Scotland does not plan to introduce additional restrictions and said that the conference will take place with compliance with social distancing. The conference will discuss steps to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and combat ocean pollution. Its implementation is actively supported by members of the British Royal Family, among others.
Chinese authorities have banned visitors from cities with at least one recent case from entering the capital. Beijing residents are also advised not to leave the city without valid reasons. Last week, the Beijing Marathon, which was expected to draw 30,000 runners, was postponed indefinitely.
Currently, the number of new coronavirus cases in China is very low: only about 40 people were reported as infected on Sunday, and officials say 133 people from 11 provinces fell ill last week. However, all of these cases are linked to the more contagious Delta strain. Quarantines have been imposed in several northern parts of China, affecting tens of thousands of people.
As Beijing prepares to host the Winter Olympics in February, the authorities are determined to quash any suggestion of a spike in infection rates. Organizers plan, at least for now, to allow local residents to attend the games as spectators. China has a “zero tolerance” policy toward Covid, meaning that the authorities are trying to eradicate the virus completely. Meanwhile, authorities in many other countries, including Western ones, are taking a different approach to the pandemic, trying to create conditions in which society can find ways to live with Covid-19.