LONDON – Britain’s National Health Service is preparing for the worst weeks of the pandemic as a new, more contagious form of coronavirus breaks through the country and puts hospitals under more extreme stress than in the spring.
A combination of a more infectious version of the virus, less compliance with social distancing restrictions, and changes in hospital procedures have created a storm for the state health service as it tries to resist a wave of Covid-19 infections.
“I think this situation is very, very serious. It is deteriorating rapidly, “said Dr. Daniele Bryden, a physician and vice dean of the School of Intensive Care Medicine.” We know it will be a very difficult three weeks. “
The new variant – which scientists estimate is between 50% and 70% more transmissible than previous versions – has been combined with meetings over Christmas to boost new cases reported daily at record levels, according to government scientists. New cases appear to be flattening to high levels, but it will be some time before the benefits reach hospitals.
There are now more people in the hospital than at any stage of the pandemic last April, with 32,300 Covid-19 patients currently admitted compared to about 21,700 in the spring.