Professor warns UK could be in for a tough Christmas

CHRISTMAS WILL be “tough” this year and is unlikely to be a traditional family celebration if coronavirus infections continue to increase, an expert has warned.

Professor Jeremy Farrar, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage), said the UK faces a “very, very difficult” period over the next three to six months.

But the Wellcome Trust director said there is “light at the end of the tunnel”, as he believes a Covid- 19 vaccine and effective treatment will be ready in the first quarter of 2021.

Prof Farrar told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday a circuitbreakernationallockdownisnow needed, claiming there could currently be 50,000 coronavirus cases per day across the UK.

He said: “The ONS ( Office for National Statistics) survey, which is the best data in the country at the moment, shows that 27,000 people are getting this infection every day. But that was until the 10th of October.

“Today it will be over 50,000, just as the CMO ( England’s chief medical officer) Chris Whitty and ( the Government’s chief scientific adviser) Sir Patrick Vallance suggested some three weeks ago.

“It would be at 50,000 new cases across the country every single day, and that’s almost exactly where we are.”

Asked about Christmas, Prof Farrar said he does not believe a vaccine will be ready in time for the festive period.

He added: “Christmas will be tough this year. I don’t think it’s going to be the usual celebration it is and all families coming together, I’m afraid.

“I think we have to be honest and realistic and say that we are in for three to six months of a very, very difficult period.

“The temperatures drop, we are all indoors more often, we have the other infections that come this time of year.”

Prof Farrar said a short national lockdown known as a circuitbreaker is needed to reduce transmission rates, as previously recommended by Sage last month.