Yesterday marked a ‘grim milestone’ in terms of COVID deaths in Plymouth. The area’s fatalities have risen to 306 people since the start of the pandemic, with 300 of those deaths coming from Derriford hospital and 6 coming from Mount Gould hospital.
A new chapter for this never ending pandemic has come from the South African variant ‘Omricon’. It’s believed to be a ‘a variant for concern’ according to the world health organisation with possible mutations being a worry for human health. The COVID restrictions have been tightened on Tuesday with the requirement for face masks in retail shops and supermarkets.
So why is this new strain so much of a concern for the UK?
Well according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) “This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other”
“(This) variant has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage.”
Today marks the one year anniversary of the vaccine proposal from lab tech company Pfizer.The CEO Dr Albert Bourla conducted an interview with the BBC saying that ‘people will need to be vaccinated for years to come’
The UK has secured 114 million Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations for the next 2 years with regular booster jabs to be expected to maintain the fight with this virus.
So with Christmas and the long winter months ahead of us we’ll see if the UK is ready to battle the virus to avoid a lockdown for the 2nd year in a row.