The UK’s Covid-19 alert level has been lowered, as the threat to the NHS being overwhelmed by cases of the virus has receded, the UK government has announced.
The Chief Medical Officers of the fiour UK nations and NHS Medical Director have agreed to reduced the alert level from 5 to 4 in light of recent data.
The news came in a joint statement from Professor Chris Whitty, Scotland’s Dr Gregor Smith, Welsh medical chief Dr Frank Atherton Northern and Ireland’s Chief Medical officer Dr Michael McBride, along with NHS Director Professor Stephen Powis.
They said: “Following advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and in the light of the most recent data, the four UK Chief Medical Officers and NHS England National Medical Director agree that the UK alert level should move from level 5 to level 4 in all four nations.”
They added: “The health services across the four nations remain under significant pressure with a high number of patients in hospital, however thanks to the efforts of public we are now seeing numbers consistently declining, and the threat of the NHS and other health services being overwhelmed within 21 days has receded."
The statement added: “We should be under no illusions – transmission rates, hospital pressures and deaths are still very high. In time, the vaccines will have a major impact and we encourage everyone to get vaccinated when they receive the offer. However for the time being it is really important that we all – vaccinated or not - remain vigilant and continue to follow the guidelines.
“We know how difficult the situation has been and remains to be for healthcare workers, we thank them for their immense effort, skill and professionalism throughout the pandemic.”
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