Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- UK scientists have prepared a report for the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE) under the government on the peculiarities of the spread of the second wave of the pandemic. More than 1,000 experts from all over the country took part in the preparation of the report.
The SAGE is a standing body that presents the results of a wide range of research from the scientific community to the government to ensure informed decision-making.
The following main points of the report are highlighted.
Firstly, in the second wave of coronavirus, patients with a severe form began to die twice as fast. A study of the condition of 76,700 patients with a severe form of coronavirus in all public hospitals in England, Wales and Scotland shows that in the period before 1 August, the death of patients after the onset of severe symptoms occurred on average after 13 days. Now this period has been reduced to 7.5 days for men, 6 for women.
Second, the coronavirus mutates and may become more infectious. Scientists note that they do not have the ability to quickly and systematically assess the virus mutations. However, most researchers state that mutations in the virus are normal and harmless because they do not increase or decrease the severity of the disease. However, experts acknowledge that this will affect the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Third, the isolation strategy, when the elderly are isolated and young people, on the contrary, return to normal life, does not work. On the contrary, selective protection leads to unchecked growth of the epidemic among young people and places a critical burden on the health system.
Scientists argue that it is impossible to completely separate the most vulnerable segments of society from the rest of the population, since the segmentation strategy does not pay off.
In general, the report of British scientists highlighted new critical features of the second wave of coronavirus. This will allow the government to adjust the anti-epidemiological measures taken in accordance with the new circumstances and prevent, ultimately, a new lockdown.