‘No choice’ but to act
WITH a new, potentially more dangerous, Covid-19 variant identified, public health bosses around the region have warned the virus remains “very prevalent” and urged people to get their vaccines and follow the latest guidance to stop the spread.
Though the experts think it’s unlikely that a return to restrictions will be announced any time soon, they’ve said it’s vital to do what we can to take the pressure off the NHS and avoid giving the Government “no choice” but to act.
Christmas is now less than a month away and though the variant identified in southern Africa has not yet been found in the UK, Newcastle’s Director of Public Health Prof Eugene Milne said “while we learn more about” new mutations of Covid-19, it is important for people to follow advice known to limit its spread.
Prof Milne said he was “hopeful” reduced rates would continue in our area and Christmas would be unaffected.
Prof Milne said: “The threat of new and emerging variants has been there since the onset of the pandemic, and we are continuing to see that with the emergence of the subvariant of Delta (known as AY.4.2 or VUI-21OCT-01) – which now comprises a significant number of UK cases – and more recently in South Africa, B.1.1.529, not yet reported here but which has prompted changes to international travel.
“The reality is new variants could emerge at any time, and while we learn more about them, it is important that people continue to follow all the measures that are proven to be effective at minimising transmission against all strains of the virus.”
The public health boss said so far, vaccines had worked “very well” against known variants, and said it was likely they would offer “some protection” against those newlyidentified – though he added: “We can’t know how much until we know more about each emerging type. My very strong advice is to be vaccinated and have your booster.”
Prof Milne also emphasised that - in addition to vaccines – “critical” ways to prevent Covid-19 rates rising remained wearing face masks, hand washing, social distancing, ventilation and getting tested regularly.
“It may be tiresome for people to repeatedly hear this but these continue to be effective control measures and are exactly the same steps, alongside vaccination, I would encourage people to practice judiciously during the festive period when there is increased mixing of people,” he said.
“Practice caution in public places and at work, and test regularly so that if you pick up the virus you don’t then give it to others.
“I know that at Christmas many will be with loved ones and will not distance or wear masks, so make sure to reduce risk of catching or transmitting the virus wherever you can. These measures limit spread of disease and, ultimately, save lives.”
His Gateshead Council counterpart Alice Wiseman concurred, saying: “With a combination of us all taking sensible precautions, getting our vaccinations and reduced mixing due to schools closing for halfterm, we did see a small reduction in Covid-19 cases across Gateshead at the end of October.
“Unfortunately, cases have started to rise again in recent weeks.”
She said it was “very difficult to predict” the next phase of the pandemic, but added that she “hopeful” that the vaccine booster programme would reduce the risk of a rise in infections mirroring that is occurring in some European countries.
Also urging people to get jabbed, she said: “Providing we all continue to adopt a cautious approach; we can stop things from escalating once again.”
Ms Wiseman added: “The success of the vaccine programme has meant hospitalisation rates have fallen significantly since the beginning of the pandemic, however, with a rise in seasonal infections, and the impact of the backlog in primary and secondary care NHS services, capacity in our GPs’ and hospital remains a serious challenge.”
URGED TO HELP STOP SPREAD OF NEW VARIANT