Dr Hilary Jones has warned the pandemic is far from over despite the UK recording zero coronavirus deaths since summer last year.
No deaths within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 were reported on Tuesday, according to the Government. It is the first time this has happened since July 30, 2020.
Pointing out there is a ‘lag’ time and we’re currently seeing the results from two to three months ago, Dr Hilary stated: ‘It’s not the beginning of the end. What we have is a reflection of a Bank Holiday with lower numbers reported and we also have a lag time.
‘Death rates follow hospitalisations after several weeks and hospitalisations follow an increase in cases after a few weeks.’
Referring to the Indian strain, Dr Hilary continued: ‘At the same time, we’ve seen more cases of a more transmissible variant.’
He added: ‘Numbers are increasing again and if restrictions being eased right now, people getting together in parks and on beaches in pubs and restaurants, of course, we’re going to see more cases.’
The television doctor highlighted that 15million people in the UK have yet to be vaccinated against coronavirus.
‘We’re going to see more cases,’ he said. ‘We’re not seeing hospitalisations in the eldest groups now. We’re seeing those cases in younger people.’
The UK is on the brink of reaching the milestone of three-quarters of adults receiving their first Covid-19 vaccine, amid debate over ending restrictions.
Latest Government data suggests that so far, more than 39.4 million people had received their first dose – equating to 74.9% of adults.
Downing Street has indicated that Boris Johnson still sees nothing in the data to suggest the plan to end all legal lockdown restrictions on June 21 will need to be delayed.
Asked about the Prime Minister’s plans amid warnings over the spread of the Indian variant, a No 10 spokesman said: ‘The Prime Minister has said on a number of occasions that we haven’t seen anything in the data but we will continue to look at the data, we will continue to look at the latest scientific evidence as we move through June towards June 21.’
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.
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