COVID-19: ‘Great Hope’ Restrictions May End Early July 5 And UK Not In Wave 3, Vaccine Expert Says | UK News

The UK could open “as soon as possible” thanks to the large number of people vaccinated – and the country is not experiencing a third wave of infections, a vaccine expert told Sky News.

Brendan Wren, professor of vaccinology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said having more than 81% of the adult population with a first coronavirus jab, and 59% with both doses is “very encouraging”.

When asked if the success of the vaccination program meant England didn’t need to wait until July 19 to fully open up, he said: ‘We will always have to be vigilant – but vigilance and vaccination are the two words.

“So I think if the numbers continue to look promising, I think there is great hope that we can open on July 5th.”

All England’s lockdown restrictions were due to be lifted tomorrow, but Boris Johnson has announced a four week deadline amid the increasing cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19[female[feminine.

The remaining restrictions are now expected to be removed on July 19, but the prime minister said a review will take place to see if action can be taken two weeks earlier on July 5.

Official figures show the UK has recorded more than 10,000 COVID cases per day for three consecutive days.

But Prof Wren explained that the increase in cases seems to “flatten out,” saying, “If you test and trace more, you’re going to find more cases … but if you look at the population as a general cross-section, then the real numbers – proportionately – could be lower. “

And asked if the UK is experiencing a third wave of the pandemic, Professor Wren said: “I don’t particularly think so. We expected there to be an increase as we gradually opened up, but I didn’t I wouldn’t call it a third wave.

“The numbers are not that big and given that such a huge …