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Almost 86% of doctors in England say they expect a second coronavirus spike in the next six months, according to a new survey, as concern continues to grow over a recent surge in cases.
On Friday, new results from a population-based study suggested that the R-number for England is now 1.7, with infections doubling every 7.7 days. Although the prevalence of the disease is still lower than in the spring, an R value greater than 1 means that cases could grow exponentially.
Sunday marked the third day in a row that new coronavirus cases reported in the UK surpassed 3,000, the highest figures since May, with 2,837 new cases reported in England alone. While testing has increased in recent months, experts have said that this does not fully explain the recent increase.
In a survey, the British Medical Association (BMA) asked more than 8,000 doctors and medical students in England what their top concerns were among five possibilities, from a second coronavirus spike to illness and burnout among staff and winter pressures, including a possible flu outbreak. Almost 30% of those surveyed selected a second peak as their main concern.
Overall, 86% of those surveyed said they believed that a second coronavirus spike over the next six months is “quite likely” or “very likely.”
