The U.K.’s daily Covid reported infections have dropped to their lowest figure in a month, thanks in part to the end of free testing. Meanwhile, ONS survey data indicate the Omicron BA.2 wave has peaked in England. MailOnline has the story.
U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data show just 41,384 positive tests were logged over the last 24 hours, a drop of 40.7% on last week. It is the smallest number logged since March 1st.
However, experts have warned that the daily figure is “almost meaningless” since free Covid tests were scrapped for all but the elderly, most vulnerable and healthcare workers.
The rest of the population, who can now only purchase a test for around £2 from high street pharmacies, are unable to log their result online.
But the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which swabs more than 100,000 Britons every week, estimated 4.1 million people in England were infected in the week ending April 2nd.
Although the highest toll recorded since the pandemic began, it’s only 0.5% higher than last week. Experts today hailed the figures as the “first sign infections have plateaued”.
Meanwhile, daily data shows 347 Britons died within 28 days of a positive – a 81.7% week-on-week jump. But ONS analysts estimate that a third of this figure are fatalities among people who were infected but died from other causes.
Hospital figures show another 2,406 infected people were admitted on Monday, a drop of 4% on last week.
These lockdowns Boris loves so much are so effective they even work when he doesn’t impose them. It seems, in fact, that Boris is now able to ‘control’ Covid infections by the power of his mind.
Alternatively, lockdowns are unnecessary to cause Covid outbreaks to peak and fall. I’ll let the reader decide which is more likely.
While the ONS survey shows record prevalence, NHS 111 data paint a very different picture, with daily calls peaking at the same level they were last autumn, before Omicron came on the scene.
Online assessments (presumably used more by the young) are even lower.
Is that because the ONS survey, with its ‘record prevalence’, is picking up a lot of mild and asymptomatic infections and reinfections?
To join in with the discussion please make a donation to The Daily Sceptic.
Profanity and abuse will be removed and may lead to a permanent ban.