‘Absolutely crucial’ to follow lockdown rules in light of new study, says Johnson
The Prime Minister said research showed current levels of coronavirus were still too high.
Boris Johnson has said it is “absolutely crucial” to follow lockdown rules “in what is unquestionably going to be a tough few weeks ahead”.
The Prime Minister said research, including the React study from Imperial College London, showed that current levels of coronavirus were still too high.
When questioned whether the lockdown may not be eased until the summer, he told reporters: “I think it’s too early to say when we’ll be able to lift some of the restrictions.
“It’s not more deadly but it is much more contagious and the numbers are very great.”
The React study shows that the prevalence of coronavirus across England increased by 50% between early December and the second week of January.
Some 143,000 volunteers were tested in England between January 6 and 15, with results showing that one in 63 people were infected.
National prevalence of the virus increased by half, from 0.91% in early December to 1.58%, the study found.
While there was a rise in prevalence across all adult age groups, it was highest in 18 to 24-year-olds, and more than doubled in the over-65s age group.
London saw the highest regional prevalence, jumping from 1.21% to 2.8%, while there were also rises in the South East, East of England, West Midlands, South West and North West.
The study authors said the national R value – referring to the number of people that an infected person will pass the virus on to – was estimated at 1.04.
For the first time the report has mobility data, showing that peoples’ movements decreased at the end of December and increased at the start of January, which the scientists said helped explain the change in prevalence.
Professor Paul Elliott, director of the programme at Imperial, warned that if prevalence continued to be so high “more and more lives will be lost”.
He said: “Our data are showing worrying suggestions of a recent uptick in infections which we will continue to monitor closely.
“To prevent our already stretched health system from becoming overwhelmed, infections must be brought down; if prevalence continues at the high rate we are seeing then hospitals will continue to be put under immense pressure, and more and more lives will be lost.
“We all have a part to play in preventing this situation from worsening and must do our best to stay at home wherever possible.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the findings show “why we must not let down our guard over the weeks to come”.
He added: “Infections across England are at very high levels and this will keep having a knock-on effect on the already significant pressures faced by our NHS and hospitals.
“It is absolutely paramount that everyone plays their part to bring down infections.”
