Covid victory: UK’s pandemic alert level drops to Level Four as vaccines turn tide
Grant Shapps receives his first coronavirus vaccine jab
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The chief medical officers from the four nations of the UK and NHS England’s National Medical Director agreed the alert level could be reduced following a review of the latest data. Coronavirus infections, hospitalisations and deaths have all fallen dramatically over the past four weeks.
Downgrading the alert means the medical chiefs no longer believe there is a “material risk” of the NHS being overwhelmed by the virus.
The UK moved into Level 5 for the first time during the pandemic at the start of last month when most of the UK was plunged into national lockdown.
On January 18 there were as many as 39,247 patients in hospitals across the UK who has tested positive for coronavirus, more than double the peak during the first wave of the virus last spring.
The number has now dropped to 16,803, with the numbers decreasing every day.
The chief medical officers said in a statement: “Following advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and in the light of the most recent data, the four UK Chief Medical Officers and NHS England National Medical Director agree that the UK alert level should move from Level 5 to Level 4 in all four nations.
“The health services across the four nations remain under significant pressure with a high number of patients in hospital, however thanks to the efforts of public we are now seeing numbers consistently declining, and the threat of the NHS and other health services being overwhelmed within 21 days has receded.
“We should be under no illusions – transmission rates, hospital pressures and deaths are still very high.
“In time, the vaccines will have a major impact and we encourage everyone to get vaccinated when they receive the offer.
“However for the time being it is really important that we all – vaccinated or not – remain vigilant and continue to follow the guidelines.
“We know how difficult the situation has been and remains to be for healthcare workers, we thank them for their immense effort, skill and professionalism throughout the pandemic.”
More to follow…
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