The cold weather caused a huge surge in Covid cases across the UK during the winter months.
Experts have warned that we could see another rise in cases this winter as the cold weather approaches once more.
As the government ease restrictions and end self-isolating, could they cause a surge in cases when the chilly weather hits?
There has already been a backlog in NHS treatments across the UK from the beginning of the pandemic, including cancer patients and those suffering from heart disease.
The NHS took a serious hit due to the rise in Covid patients throughout the pandemic - it is hoped that it will never be as stretched as it was over 2020 again.
Last year the UK was in lockdown for most of the winter months in 2020 and 2021, causing a huge drop in flu and pneumonia cases.
These were said to have dropped due to social distancing, increased hygiene levels, and the introduction of face masks.
However, the drop in the common cold and flu cases could have also decreased the public's general immunity.
When someone is exposed to a germ from a common cold or flu, they develop anti-bodies.
Experts have warned that the lack of exposer to illness could have left people with a so-called “immunity debt”.
Talking to BBC Today at the beginning of summer, an epidemiologist at Imperial College London Neil Ferguson explained: 'All the measures we adopted against COVID around the world drove flu to very low level. Basically nobody got infected with flu last year and so immunity has dropped a little…
'I think we do need to be prepared for a potentially quite significant flu epidemic later this year.
Adding 'seasonal influenza is likely to be a significant issue'.
It's believed that the Government will encourage adults and children across the UK to get their flu vaccination this year in order to stop the winter outbreak of flus and the virus.
Will there be another winter lockdown?
Experts are confident that the coming winter months will not be as bad as they were when the pandemic was at its peak.
In preparation for the winter months, Health Secretary, Sajid Javid has said a ‘review’ will be carried out in September 'to assess our preparedness for autumn and winter'.
As over 75% of adults across the UK are now fully vaccinated, the successful vaccine rollout should serve as strong protection against the spread of Covid this winter.
Experts have not confirmed if there will be a likelihood of another lockdown in winter but they are confident it will not be as bad as last winter.
