[ad_1]
COVID-19 will keep hospitals under continued pressure for months to come, as the new vaccines will only have a “marginal impact” on the number of patients during the winter, UK medical directors warned.
In a letter written to healthcare colleagues, the group, which includes England’s Professor Chris Whitty, also said the holiday gatherings are likely to put additional pressure on the NHS.
“Winter is always a difficult time for the NHS and for the health and social care service in general. This year will be especially difficult due to COVID-19,” He said.
“While the very welcome news about vaccines means that we can look to 2021 with greater optimism, the rollout of the vaccine will only have a marginal impact on reducing the number of people entering the health service with COVID over the next three months. “.
Professor Chris Whitty is one of the signatories of the letter.
The letter was jointly signed by Professor Whitty, Dr Gregor Smith from Scotland, Dr Frank Atherton from Wales and his Northern Ireland counterpart Dr Michael McBride.
It says that while recent lockdowns across all four nations and public adherence to social distancing and other measures helped stem the spread, hospital admissions and deaths are likely to remain high before spring.
“The actions and self-discipline of the entire population during the lockdowns and other restrictions have helped reduce the peak and in most of the four nations the number of hospitals is likely to decrease in the coming weeks, but not everywhere.” says the letter.
And he warns: “The social mix that occurs around Christmas It may well put additional pressure on hospitals and general practice in the New Year and we must be prepared for that. “
It comes as the first supplies of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine arrived in the UK in preparation for vaccinations to start from next Tuesday.
Government ministers said 800,000 doses would be available next week, with those over 80 and care home staff first in line to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines ordered by the UK
The letter praised healthcare workers for responding “magnificently” to the challenges of the pandemic and emphasized the importance of continuing to support others within the profession.
But he added that it was “essential” that the next few months be used to learn more about the virus and help inform treatments in the future.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
‘I wouldn’t advise’ hugging older family members at Christmas
“We do not expect COVID to go away even after full vaccination has occurred, although it will be substantially less important as a cause of mortality and morbidity,” he said.
“It is therefore absolutely essential that we use the next few months to learn as much as we can as we expect COVID to be less common in the future.
“This will allow us to have the best opportunity to have a strong evidence base to manage it for years to come.”
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
How the vaccine launch will work
Prime Minister Boris Johnson also warned the British not to allow encouraging headlines about the pandemic, including news on Friday that the UK R number It had apparently been reduced to a minimum of four months, to make them complacent.
It has previously emerged that government scientific advisers believe COVID-19 immunity it can only last up to three months from the time of infection or vaccination.
