One of Britain’s top scientists has warned that the country has reach a ‘tipping point’ in its coronavirus epidemic, similar to that last seen in March, according to the BBC.
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, England’s deputy chief medical officer, said ‘the seasons are against us’ and the country is running into a ‘headwind’ ahead of the winter months.
The R number – the average number of people each infected person passes the virus on to – is now estimated at between 1.2 and 1.5. Anything above 1.0 means cases are increasing.
Professor Van-Tam anticipated deaths would mount.
In a statement published yesterday, he said that while the epidemic had ‘re-started’ again among younger people over the past few weeks, there was ‘clear evidence of a gradual spread into older age groups’ in the worst-hit areas.
The BBC reported, on Saturday, government figures showing that 15 166 people in the UK were reported to have tested positive for coronavirus – an increase of 1 302 on Friday’s figure.
Professor Van-Tam said: ‘Sadly, just as night follows day, increases in deaths will now follow on in the next few weeks.’
Britain was in a different position from where it was during the first wave because ‘we are now are going into the colder, darker winter months’.