The new restrictions announced by the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, are thought to be vital. But is it going to be a case of too little, too late?
The prospect, unless more is done to protect those in the population who are vulnerable to the virus, is a catastrophic number of cases that would overwhelm the NHS.
An analysis by researchers at University College London, Cambridge University, and Health Data Research, suggests that the mitigation measures already in place would not be sufficient to avoid tens of thousands of deaths caused by COVID-19 virus.
Using data on underlying conditions and age in the population, the analysis suggests that without stringent measures to prevent spread, the virus will bring about between 35,000 to 70,000 deaths.
These are shocking figures to contemplate - a picture of health services being overwhelmed, itself leading to further non-COVID-19 deaths.
The government have identified just 1.5 million with particular underlying conditions increase the risk of death from COVID-19.
However, the study estimates that as many as 13.4 million in the UK population (20.0%) were at high risk from COVID-19, of which 13.7% were over the age of 70, and 6.3% aged 70 or younger.
What this demonstrates is that much more needs to be done to help and protect those vulnerable to the virus. This would require a massive effort.
More thought needs to be put into how to get food and resources to these people. Some will not be able to get food deliveries online. This is already proving difficult with supermarket websites difficult to access and delivery slots unavailable.
The government must act to ensure adequate food supplies to shops and people. Merely leaving this to the supermarkets isn't going to work. There has to be more stringent rationing to ensure fairness in distributions and access.
The prospect, unless more is done to protect those in the population who are vulnerable to the virus, is a catastrophic number of cases that would overwhelm the NHS.
An analysis by researchers at University College London, Cambridge University, and Health Data Research, suggests that the mitigation measures already in place would not be sufficient to avoid tens of thousands of deaths caused by COVID-19 virus.
Using data on underlying conditions and age in the population, the analysis suggests that without stringent measures to prevent spread, the virus will bring about between 35,000 to 70,000 deaths.
These are shocking figures to contemplate - a picture of health services being overwhelmed, itself leading to further non-COVID-19 deaths.
The government have identified just 1.5 million with particular underlying conditions increase the risk of death from COVID-19.
However, the study estimates that as many as 13.4 million in the UK population (20.0%) were at high risk from COVID-19, of which 13.7% were over the age of 70, and 6.3% aged 70 or younger.
What this demonstrates is that much more needs to be done to help and protect those vulnerable to the virus. This would require a massive effort.
More thought needs to be put into how to get food and resources to these people. Some will not be able to get food deliveries online. This is already proving difficult with supermarket websites difficult to access and delivery slots unavailable.
The government must act to ensure adequate food supplies to shops and people. Merely leaving this to the supermarkets isn't going to work. There has to be more stringent rationing to ensure fairness in distributions and access.
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