Leading scientists have warned that the UK is not prepared to handle another pandemic akin to COVID-19, emphasizing the urgent need for a robust healthcare system. This alert comes amid a sudden surge of COVID-19 cases in India and concerns that the new Arcturus strain could become predominant in the UK.
The Arcturus variant, identified in 22 countries including the UK and US, is highly infectious. Health experts in the UK have urged people to exercise caution.
Sir John Bell, a renowned immunologist and member of the UK's Covitask vaccine taskforce, stated that the UK is "not ready for the next pandemic." In The Independent, he wrote that "the next pandemic could be even more devastating than the last" and called for a constant state of readiness to prevent another health crisis. Bell argues that the UK must adopt an "always on" approach to avoid catastrophe.
Former chief scientific adviser to the government, Sir David King, expressed his concerns about the UK's lack of preparedness, stating that it is in the same position as in 2020 and may have even worsened.
The UK authorities have claimed that the country maintains a flexible pandemic response, which is continuously monitored and updated. A government spokesperson has announced a record £14.1 billion in funding for health and social care over the next two years. The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK has also reintroduced its Check-in and Chart service for vulnerable, isolated, or lonely patients.
Although COVID-19 is no longer the leading cause of death in England and Wales, the government is encouraging the public to get booster doses and adhere to precautions. Vaccines have been effective in reducing the number of deaths and hospitalizations related to infections, but their efficacy against new variants remains uncertain.
Another strain of COVID-19, known as B.1.1.7 or the "UK variant," has raised concerns among public health officials. The B.1.1.7 variant was first identified in the UK in September 2020 and has spread to at least 50 other countries. It is believed to be more contagious than the original COVID-19 strain, with estimates suggesting it could be up to 70 percent more transmissible. However, there is no definitive evidence to suggest that infection with the B.1.1.7 variant leads to more severe illness.
