The spread of the delta variant worries epidemiologists

London. Doctors and epidemiologists in Great Britain are watching with concern the latest COVID infection data, and especially the rapidly spreading Indian virus mutation (Delta ed., B.1.617.2). Hospitalizations are on the rise again and early voices are warning the government not to lift all remaining restrictions on June 21 as planned.

According to new data from Public Health England (PHE), patients infected with the new delta version of the virus have a significantly higher risk of becoming so seriously ill that they have to be hospitalized than patients with the Kent variant. alpha version) are infected. According to PHE, the risk is particularly increased for patients receiving only one vaccine dose.

The number of infections with mutations is increasing rapidly

Doctors and epidemiologists are also concerned about how fast the new virus mutation is now spreading in Great Britain. According to PHE, 12,431 new cases were diagnosed in England alone in the past week. In the last week, 6959 cases were reported.

According to PHE, a total of 38,805 new infections in the UK were analyzed in more detail. It turned out that patients who were infected with the delta version of the virus end up in the hospital “2.61 times more often” than patients infected with other virus mutations. “This is worrying,” said a spokesman for London’s health ministry.

“If this increase in new infections with the delta variant continues, it can be expected that hospital capacity may soon become scarce again,” said Professor Adam Finn (University of Bristol). Finn is a member of the UK Vaccination Commission.

Will “Independence Day” come on 21st June?

Other doctors and researchers are also warning that clinics belonging to the British National Health Service could soon be overloaded again – as was the case in winter and spring.

There are increasing voices calling on Boris Johnson’s government not to lift all current COVID restrictions on June 21, as planned. Johnson has so far stuck to his plans for “Our Independence Day” on June 21. Then nightclubs should also reopen.

Unlike England, Scotland is a bit more cautious. Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon recently said an end to all pandemic requirements in Scotland was “currently not in sight”.