The number of people testing positive with COVID-19 is falling in the UK.
The UK recorded 29,173 new cases on Sunday − down from 48,161 logged a week earlier on 18 July, this is a 15.4% decline.
As reported in BBC, it is also the first time since the start of the pandemic that a sustained drop in cases has not coincided with a national lockdown.
Professor Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia said: “The data at present is looking good for at least the summer.
“Today’s figures do not of course include any impact of last Monday’s end of restrictions. It will not be until about next Friday before the data includes the impact of this change.”
There are speculations as to what could be causing the decrease in infections, such as less people reporting infections, taking tests, or better weather leading to more outside socialising.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics suggest 92% of adults in the UK now have antibodies to the virus in their blood, either through a previous infection or at least one vaccination dose.
Real world data shows one dose of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines is between 30% and 36% effective at preventing a symptomatic COVID infection with the dominant Delta variant.
All COVID restrictions were lifted in England on the 19 July, so it’s still to early to see what impact this has had on infections.
Professor Paul Hunter said: “If I was a betting man, I would now say that the impact of 19 July will not be sufficient to start case numbers increasing again, but I cannot be certain.”
Vaccines have weakened the link between infections and deaths, so it’s possible that a rise in infections will not be as devastating as it has previously.
However, the time lag between infections and hospital admissions means that number is likely to continue to rise over at least the next week.
Lilly Subbotin
This is a syndicated feed from Pharmafile
