In the last 24 hours, 6,328 new covid infections have been recorded in Great Britain, the highest number since 25 March. The dead are 11, while the people currently hospitalized for the coronavirus are 954.
Despite the increase in worrying cases, an analysis by the PA news agency points out that most hospital centers do not register new admissions of covid patients. Small increases in hospitalizations are instead recorded in areas where outbreaks have been recorded, while experts warn that the spread of the Indian variant, known as delta, could lead to a greater risk of hospital admission. Meanwhile, the British Bureau of Statistics (ONS) estimates that the level of infections in England increased by 75% in one week, with 85,600 people with covid in the week through May 29, compared to 48,500 the previous week.
Health Minister Matt Hancock commented that the government “has always expected” an increase in cases with the loosening of the anticoronavirus rules, but stressed that the data to be observed “carefully” is that of hospital admissions. Data that will be analyzed in view of a possible further easing on June 21st. Meanwhile, the vaccination campaign continues: at the moment 66,749,638 doses of the vaccine have been administered. This is 39,949,694 first doses, with 26,799,944 people also receiving the second.
According to the ONS, around one in 640 people in households in England had Covid-19 in the week leading up to May 29, compared with one in 1,120 in the previous week. This is the highest level since the week ending April 16. The data does not take into account hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions, the BBC points out. The increase in the infection curve was also revealed in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The Guardian warns that the Indian variant, which has become dominant in the UK as it is diagnosed in 75 per cent of positives, could cause an increase in hospital admissions. A new report published by the British national health system speaks of 12,431 Delta variant cases identified, compared to 6,959 in the last bulletin released a week ago.
The analysis also shows that the Indian variant may be more resistant to the vaccine. But epidemiologist Meaghan Kall on Twitter insisted on the need to continue with vaccinations, the only way to defeat the coronavirus. 73% of Delta cases involve unvaccinated people and only 3.7% those who received both doses, while only 5% of people hospitalized with this variant received the two doses.