Navigating the current COVID landscape: JN.1 wave and vaccination dilemma
The ongoing COVID-19 wave has the potential to significantly grow, with the ONS estimating a 4.3% virus prevalence in England. One expert warns that the JN.1 wave might surpass the March 2022 surge.
The ongoing COVID-19 wave has the potential to significantly grow, with the ONS estimating a 4.3% virus prevalence in England. One expert warns that the JN.1 wave might surpass the March 2022 surge.
In the ever-evolving landscape of the COVID-19 saga, Professor Christina Pagel, Professor of Operational Research, Clinical Operational Research Unit, University College London, sheds light on the latest findings from the ONS COVID Winter Infection Survey in her insightful substack blog.
The current landscape
According to Professor Pagel, “this wave has only just started... and it has a lot of potential to grow significantly bigger.” The gravity of this statement becomes apparent as we juxtapose it with the strain the NHS is enduring, compounded by escalating hospital admissions.
She clarifies that adjustments are necessary in the ONS Winter Infection Survey due to the lower sensitivity of LFD tests compared to PCRs, aiming to provide a more accurate estimate of the actual virus prevalence.
In Professor Pagel’s words, “because LFDs are less sensitive than PCRs... you need to do some modelled adjustments to estimate how much actual virus is circulating.” The UKHSA’s recent estimates indicate that 4.3% of people in England are currently grappling with the virus.
CONTINUE READING...
Enjoy unlimited access now.
To get full access to this article,
simply become a member of PUBLIC SQUARE now.
By doing so, you will be supporting
our independent journalism.
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS:
£3/month ∙ £5/month ∙ £7/month
You can cancel anytime.
BECOME A MEMBER
Already a member? Sign in here!
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP:
✅ Read exclusive member-only articles
✅ Read our daily review of the UK front pages
✅ Receive every new article by email
✅ Access all our articles
✅ Get Special Discounts with our partners
✅ Join the conversation: Comment our articles
✅ Access our archives
✅ More importantly: Support independent journalism and keep the magazine going
Read more
— The Crown Estate has received over £334,000 in housing benefits since 2020, despite earning £1.1bn last year and evicting 31 tenants. Critics call this an example of housing system inequality.
— Latest Weekly UK COVID-19 Data. COVID levels in England are rising more slowly, with mixed trends: slowing in the south but increasing in the north. Scotland and Wales see peaks in cases and hospitalisations. COVID remains a risk, especially for the elderly and immunocompromised.
— Your daily roundup of the front pages of the main newspapers and magazines today in the UK.
— In his first PMQs as PM, Keir Starmer criticised his predecessors and rival parties, while Rishi Sunak focused on Ukraine, avoiding direct attacks, and the SNP challenged Starmer on Labour’s internal issues, revealing ongoing tensions.
|
|
