Relaxing restrictions in England next week is the right thing to do, the government insisted, as doctors said the move was a “real concern” with many still awaiting vaccinations.
Health Minister Edward Argar urged people to behave responsibly as lockdown measures are eased across England on Monday.
This comes amid growing concerns about the spread of the COVID-19[female[feminine variant first detected in India, with some scientists calling for a delay in easing and others urging the public to be “very careful”.
The variant is believed to be more transmissible than the others – there is no evidence to suggest that it causes more serious illness, and hospital admissions currently remain low in affected areas.
There is also no evidence that it is resistant to the vaccine, although Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) vice-chairman Professor Anthony Harnden has said the bites are ” almost certainly less effective “in reducing the transmission of the Indian variant.
The four stages of lifting the lockdown in England
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) said relaxation could “lead to a substantial resurgence in hospitalizations (similar to or greater than previous peaks)”.
Minutes from a Thursday meeting suggest that there is a “realistic possibility” that the Indian variant is 50% more transmissible than the coronavirus one that emerged in Kent at the end of last year.
Scientists have said that “there may be some reduction in protection” when it comes to vaccines.
And Professor Harnden said: “Vaccines may be less effective against mild illnesses, but we don’t think they’re less effective against serious illnesses.”
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today program, he added: “But in addition to being less effective against mild disease, they are almost certainly less effective against transmission.”
Health Minister Edward Argar told Sky News: “We are convinced that the easing …
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2021-05-15 01:22:00
