Up to 60,000 people could die from the flu this winter and a combination of seasonal viruses and COVID-19 could leave the NHS “unable to cope,” according to a report.
The stern warning was issued by scientists who say the flu season could be particularly deadly, but the improved flu vaccination program and rapid flu tests could help mitigate the risks.
COVID-19[female[feminine The restrictions have meant that many respiratory viruses were unable to spread over the past winter as they normally would and this has concerned some virologists who said the population’s immunity to seasonal respiratory disease could be compromised.
As people socialize, these viruses will spread again.
The new report from the Academy of Medical Sciences says hospitalizations and deaths from influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) could be double those seen in a “normal” year and could coincide with a increase in COVID-19 infections.
Professor Sir Stephen Holgate, chairman of the expert advisory group that wrote the report, said: “There are four main challenges: First, an increase in respiratory viruses could cause widespread ill health and put pressure on the NHS.
“Second, we are dealing with a third wave of COVID-19 and multiple outbreaks and the NHS needs to catch up with the backlog that it has built up over the last 15 months or so, and that is going to be a real challenge.
“Thirdly, the NHS is already under pressure, so it is unlikely to be able to cope with these winter challenges in the future.
“Finally the worst physical and mental health among the British population due to the pandemic.”
He added: “Society as a whole will have learned over the last 15 months that it is not acceptable that (we have had) all of these respiratory viruses that run rampant in winter and almost shut down our national health service.
“If there are things we should be doing to prevent transmission, we should do it. Even if it means wearing masks and respecting everyone’s space.”
He added:…
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2021-07-14 19:21:00
