LONDON, Jun 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Britain reported another 9,284 COVID-19 cases, in the latest 24-hour period, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 4,630,040, according to official figures released yesterday.
The country also recorded another six related deaths. The total number of deaths in Britain now stands at 127,976. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.
British scientists yesterday warned of “pretty miserable winter” ahead for the country, due to likely emergence of new respiratory viruses, with further lockdowns a possibility.
Professor Calum Semple, member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), a British government advisory body, said that, children and elderly people will be especially vulnerable to endemic viruses, at the end of the year.
Scientists warned that, a third wave of infections is “definitely under way” in England, due to the fast spread of the Delta variant, first identified in India, even though hospital admissions will hopefully not be on the same scale as in Jan.
The recent data published by Public Health England, showed the AstraZeneca vaccine is 92 percent effective against hospitalisation from the Delta variant, after two doses, and the Pfizer vaccine is 96 percent effective against hospitalisation, after two doses.
Nearly 43 million people have been given the first jab of the vaccine, while more than 31.3 million people have been fully vaccinated with a second dose.
Experts warned that, COVID-19 may continue to evolve for years to come, and eventually, it is likely current vaccines will fail to protect against transmission, infection, or even against disease caused by newer variants.– NNN-AGENCIES
