Christmases for next five years could be hampered by Covid, expert warns
3 years, 1 month ago

Christmases for next five years could be hampered by Covid, expert warns

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. When asked if he thought enough was being done to avoid lockdowns and allow people to safely celebrate Christmas this year, Professor Spector replied: “We’re not doing enough.” Speaking at a Royal Society of Medicine virtual briefing, the Kings College London professor warned that people should not only be concerned about this Christmas but “Christmases for the next five years”. He added: “That’s clearly turning out not to be the case as we realise that vaccines alone, even in countries that have got higher vaccination rates than ours, are not the sort of final solution to this, that we need a combination of measures.” Professor Spector suggested that Covid-19 will “become like a permanent flu outbreak we have to deal with.” He admitted that though vaccines helped to limit the seriousness and the spread of the infection, they could not prevent every case of Covid-19. He said that other measures would be needed to “somehow control Covid.” “It’s a combination of vaccines and medicine, but also we need to keep some measures in place to keep numbers down and we’re not doing that,” Professor Spector added. “How high we want those rates to be is determined by our complacency and our relaxation to some of the rules we had in place that last year, I thought were over the top, and now this year I think are insufficient.” England’s deputy chief medical officer, Professor Jonathan Van Tam, said on Friday that this year’s Christmas could still be at risk from Covid-19.

History of this topic

NHS warning over Christmas gatherings as flu cases soar in worst December for three years
Trending News
2 weeks, 6 days ago
Urgent ‘festive flu’ warning as NHS urges people to book pre-Christmas jab
3 weeks, 1 day ago
Are you worried about the NHS this winter? Join The Independent Debate
3 weeks, 6 days ago
Cases of flu ‘rising rapidly’ as Brits urged to get vaccinations
1 month ago
Urgent health warning to winter sun-seeking Brits as top holiday destination is gripped by multiple outbreaks
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Here’s why Covid cases are spiking again and how it could affect you
4 months, 2 weeks ago
Covid making worrying comeback amid summer surge and Olympics infections, WHO official warns
5 months ago
World leaders to meet to discuss threat of hypothetical ‘Disease X’ in Davos
11 months, 3 weeks ago
Nearly 10,000 COVID deaths reported globally last month, fueled by holiday gatherings and new variant
11 months, 4 weeks ago
Flu and COVID infections got worse over the holidays, with more misery expected, CDC says
1 year ago
Why thousands of Australians are getting sick right now
1 year, 1 month ago
Flu and Covid warning ahead of seasonal spike in cases
1 year, 1 month ago
5 Things COVID Experts Personally Won't Do Right Now In This Latest Surge
1 year, 3 months ago
Deborah Birx warns Americans are dangerously underestimating Covid surge
1 year, 4 months ago
WHO tracking new Covid variant BA. X amid fears it could lead to new explosion of cases
1 year, 4 months ago
Covid-19 Inquiry: People encouraged to share pandemic experiences
1 year, 7 months ago
World must prepare for disease more deadlier than Covid, WHO chief warns
1 year, 7 months ago
Coronavirus FAQ: 'Emergency' over! Do we unmask and grin? Or adjust our worries?
1 year, 7 months ago
Ex-UK health chief defends record after COVID messages leak
1 year, 10 months ago
On third anniversary of COVID’s arrival, L.A. County ‘in a much better place’
1 year, 11 months ago
Lessons From COVID: What The World Needs to Learn to Tackle Future Pandemics
1 year, 11 months ago
The covert winter wave of Covid-19
1 year, 11 months ago
Christmas Covid infections spiked to highest level since summer
2 years ago
Covid cases in your area as hospitalisations rise by a third before Christmas
2 years ago
Editorial: The best gift you can give your loved ones? A COVID-free holiday season
2 years ago
NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week
2 years ago
Covid-19 UK: Winter wave picks up pace as hospital admissions soar by a third
2 years ago
Experts are concerned Thanksgiving gatherings could accelerate a 'tripledemic'
2 years, 1 month ago
How a fresh Covid surge in the UK could be a warning sign for US
2 years, 3 months ago
Dr Fauci pushes back on Biden’s claim the Covid pandemic is over
2 years, 3 months ago
‘Record-high’ 892,000 people living with long Covid for a year, figures show
2 years, 4 months ago
WHO warns of covid transmission, hospitalisation risks in coming months
2 years, 4 months ago
COVID cases triple across Europe and hospitalizations double, WHO says
2 years, 5 months ago
Over-60s urged to coronavirus vaccine top-up as new cases mount
2 years, 6 months ago
Over-60s urged to coronavirus vaccine top-up as new cases mount
2 years, 6 months ago
Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow
2 years, 6 months ago
Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow
2 years, 6 months ago
Covid cases in England rise for first time since end of MARCH
2 years, 6 months ago
Covid-19 website creator ‘shocked’ to be made an MBE
2 years, 7 months ago
Fewer than 500 people are now hospitalised with coronavirus
2 years, 7 months ago
Fewer than 500 people are now hospitalised with coronavirus
2 years, 7 months ago
Still far from normal: Covid-19 cases rising rapidly in 36 countries
2 years, 7 months ago
'Pandemic is not over': WHO's warning as Covid-19 cases surge globally
2 years, 9 months ago
Coronavirus cases are rising in Europe. Is it a warning for California?
2 years, 9 months ago
More coronavirus rules may go, despite rise in new infections: AD
2 years, 10 months ago
More coronavirus rules may go, despite rise in new infections: AD
2 years, 10 months ago
Carnival, winter sports and no rules: coronavirus cases rise
2 years, 10 months ago
Covid-19 infections above pre-Christmas levels – but falling in England
2 years, 10 months ago
Most sectors welcome relaxation of corona rules but say more is needed: AD
2 years, 10 months ago
Most sectors welcome relaxation of corona rules but say more is needed: AD
2 years, 10 months ago

Discover Related