The United Kingdom today recorded more than 50,000 new cases of coronavirus for the first time since mid-July, a situation that has renewed alarms in the government and strong demands by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to strengthen health restrictions such as the mandatory use of masks in enclosed spaces. Places.
The Ministry of Health recorded 5,2009 injuries during the past 24 hours, while 115 others died.
With these figures, the UK’s global population of 66 million has 8,641,221 infections and 139,146 deaths.
Despite the dramatic context, Johnson, who has come under fire for his handling of the pandemic in which he prioritized the economy over health, said that although “infection numbers are high, they are within expected parameters.”
Still optimistic, he insisted that “the government is continuing with its plan” and emphasized that “the situation is now much better than it was a year ago, largely due to the vaccination plan, which has weakened the link between infection, hospitalization and mortality,” which was picked up by the BBC. .
So far, 79% of Britain’s population has a full vaccination schedule, a remarkably high rate compared to most countries, which have nonetheless failed to control the huge number of cases.
The island has one of the highest infection rates in the world, matching levels of last winter’s wave, which caused a four-month lockdown.
The CEO acknowledged the possibility of reaching 100,000 daily cases soon, but refused to reimpose some restrictions that were lifted in July and instead emphasized vaccinating young people and those over 50 receiving a third booster dose.
As the situation worsens, calls are growing for the government to implement its “Plan B”, which includes returning masks in enclosed spaces, working remotely, and potentially imposing vaccination passports in some places.
The British Medical Association has accused the government of “willful negligence”, calling the current situation “unsustainable” and calling for “immediate action”, AFP and Europe Press reported.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which have health efficiencies, continue to enforce the use of masks indoors.
Johnson’s ultra-liberal policy is one hypothesis put forward by some scholars to explain the current decline.
Other factors cited were low vaccination among minors and a slow booster campaign for those who injected themselves more than six months ago and noticed their immunity waning.
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