Covid now kills half as many people as bad flu in a year | United Kingdom | News

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Influenza death figures from 2017/18 indicate that the burden of the coronavirus is now comparable to that of influenza, according to Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert from the University of East Anglia.

“Once we get past this Omicron peak — except for another unexpected variable that reflects all of our progress — then we will be close to the point of endemicity,” he said.

He added that Covid is “almost certain” to weaken every year as people develop a natural immunity. It was eventually suggested that the virus evolve into a common cold.

Data referred to by Professor Hunter indicate that there were more than 400 deaths from influenza per day at the height of the last bad influenza season and about 300 deaths per day in the previous year.

On Monday, the UK recorded 77 deaths within 28 days of testing positive for Covid.

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During bad flu season, such as this winter due to the stresses caused by the coronavirus, routine treatments at the hospital have been disrupted and patients have been told to avoid visiting emergency units.

Professor Hunter’s comments to MailOnline follow the release of new studies over the past month that reinforce the belief that Omicron causes less severe disease than previous variants.

Evidence from six studies suggests that the most recent version of the virus, which was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) from South Africa in November, is more likely to infect people’s throats, which the researchers believe could explain why it appears, on the Although it is more contagious. To be less harmful than other breeds.

The scientists’ findings have not yet been reviewed. However, they confidently indicated that Omicron does not harm people’s lungs as much as it causes Delta and other previous versions of the coronavirus.

He said, “In general, although there are exceptions, viral infections tend to develop towards more benign ones. That is, they do not help the virus survive if it makes its host so sick that it stays home in bed.”

“Ideally, from a virus perspective, the host should be good enough to be with other people but still cough and sneeze.”

On Monday, the United Kingdom recorded 142,224 positive cases.

Despite the staggering number, as a result of the findings regarding a lower risk of Omicron in general, ministers are considering starting to “live with” COVID-19 and even cutting the self-isolation period for fully vaccinated people who test positive for the virus from seven to five days.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson claimed the government would continue to “keep matters under review”.

“We are always guided by facts, by science, and by changing circumstances,” he added.

The World Health Organization, aware of the increasingly light narrative about the virus, has warned that the pandemic is far from over.

Dr David Nabarro, his special envoy for Covid, told Sky News: “I’m afraid we’re going through the marathon but there’s really no way to say we’re at the end – we can see the end on the horizon, but we’re not there. And there will be some bumps before we get there.” “

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