According to scientists, Covid-19 cases are rising exponentially across England driven by younger and mostly unvaccinated age groups, says an article published in The Guardian.
Delta coronavirus variant spread
A study commissioned by the government found that infections increased by 50% between 3 May and 7 June, coinciding with the rise of the Delta coronavirus variant that is now dominant in the UK.
swab tests
Data from nearly 110,000 swab tests carried out across England between 20 May and 7 June suggests Covid cases are doubling every 11 days, with the highest prevalence in the northwest and one in 670 people infected.
Extension of restrictions
MPs have approved an extension of coronavirus restrictions in England until 19 July, despite a rebellion by Conservative backbenchers.
Delay in opening up
Boris Johnson was spared defeat in a Commons vote as Labour backed the plans for a four-week delay to the end of lockdown measures, aimed at buying more time for the vaccine program. MPs voted 461 to 60, a majority of 401, to approve regulations postponing the reopening.
Alpha and Delta variant switch
Experts from Imperial College London said their findings showed a “rapid switch” between the Alpha variant and the Delta variant in the last few weeks, with the latter now accounting for up to 90% of all coronavirus cases.
But they stressed that the UK was in a much different position than in autumn last year when exponential growth triggered a second wave of coronavirus infections.
Younger ages at risk
Stephen Riley, a professor of infectious disease dynamics at Imperial and one of the study’s authors, said: “Prevalence is increasing exponentially and it is being driven by younger ages. It appears to be doubling every 11 days.
“Clearly that is bad news … but the key thing to point out here is that we are in a very different part of the epidemic in the UK and it is very difficult to predict the duration of the exponential phase.”
The scientists said their findings from the React study suggested the imminent expansion of the vaccine program to people aged 18 and above.
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: The Guardian
