Covid Warning: Christmas Gatherings Come with a Heavy Price
Professor Andrew Hayward has issued a stark warning: families meeting up this Christmas could come at a serious cost. As No 10 prepares to unveil plans to ease restrictions next week, scientists caution that each day of relaxed rules means five days of stricter lockdowns to keep the virus in check.
Generations Mixing Risks a Covid Surge
Prof Hayward, infectious disease expert at University College London and member of SAGE, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the festive cheer could backfire badly. “Mixing at Christmas poses substantial risks,” he said. “Bringing together younger generations, who have higher infection rates, with the vulnerable older generation, could fuel a deadly spike.”
He added, “We’re putting far too much emphasis on a near-normal Christmas. Respiratory infections typically peak in January – piling on cases now will only make it worse.”
Covid Cases on the Rise in England and the US
- England’s Covid infections jumped 11% last week, with 167,369 testing positive between 5-11 November.
- Contact tracing struggles: Only 60.5% of close contacts were reached, near a record low.
- US coronavirus deaths surpass 250,000, with new infections soaring by 80% in two weeks.
- Average daily new cases in the US hit nearly 160,000, shattering records.
New York Schools Shut Again Amid Rising Covid Cases
In a blow to America’s recovery, New York City announced the re-closure of its public schools starting Thursday. Mayor Bill de Blasio cited a seven-day average positivity rate creeping above the 3% threshold set with teaching unions. He called the move “out of an abundance of caution” amid a dangerous surge.
“We must fight back the second wave of Covid-19,” de Blasio declared on Twitter.
The warning is clear: easing up too soon risks plunging Britain and beyond into an even darker winter battle with Covid-19.
