As of: May 16, 2021 12:47 a.m.
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The incidence in England is low, with all corona restrictions to be lifted in mid-June. But that is now in question again. The reason is the Indian virus variant.
From Christoph Prössl,
ARD-Studio London
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In Bolton in northwest England, NHS health care workers are vaccinating against the spread of the Indian variant of the corona virus. In the morning, long queues formed in front of the NHS vehicles and tents, the BBC reported. At the beginning of the week, three people were vaccinated on site, but 42 people are now busy carrying out the vaccinations, says Helen Wall, who heads the vaccination campaign in Bolton.
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Christoph Prössl
ARD-Studio London
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Bolton and parts of London badly affected
By the end of the day, 4,000 people should have been vaccinated. The army is supposed to help with testing. People over 50 should get the second vaccination sooner.
Bolton is noticeably hard hit by the new variant of the corona virus. Similar to other regions in the north-west of England and Scotland, as well as some parts of London. The incidence in England is low, averaging around 23. In the affected regions, this value has risen significantly in the past few days.
Will easing be postponed?
The Indian variant is considered more easily transferable – up to 50 percent, say the experts on the advisory board for the British government. The fear is that the easing, which will come into effect on Monday, will result in further infections. From May 17, up to six people can meet in one house, and cinemas should also open. On June 21st, all restrictions are to fall.
“We don’t yet know how highly transferable the new variant is,” says Edward Argar, State Secretary in the Ministry of Health. “If the transferability is just a little stronger, that shouldn’t change our plans that much. If the transferability is significantly higher, we have to rethink the planning for June 21st.”
Opposition: Government reacted too late
It is still unclear how well the vaccines work against the new variant. Anthony Harnden, a professor at Oxford University, told the BBC 4 radio station that he assumed that the vaccines would slow down mild courses less often, while severe ones did. But that would also mean that higher transferability must be expected.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced at a press conference on Friday that he would react quickly as soon as the data were clear. The government will do whatever it takes to protect the people of Britain.
The opposition accused Johnson of reacting too late. The government had already put Bangladesh and Pakistan on the red list on April 9th. Since then, trips to Great Britain have only been permitted in urgent cases, travelers have to go into quarantine and in specially designated hotels. For India, where the situation was similar, these measures were not taken until April 23rd.
Concern about Indian Corona variant in Great Britain
Christoph Prössl, ARD London, May 16, 2021 00:01 am
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