United Kingdom & Covid-19
06th July, the UK experienced the lowest number of infection rate since the burgeoning of the coronavirus which used to peak at 6,111 new cases a day. Although not contained, it had shown great efforts from the NHS to cope with the situation; yet, it did not last for so long.
The second half of September marked a gradual rise in new cases, with more than 3,000 cases per diem, increasing after each day. As of 30th October, the number of confirmed UK cases has reached 965,340, while the total number of deaths within 28 days of a positive test is 45,955 according to the Department of Health and Social Care. It is estimated that “one in 80 have Covid in England”, an alarming figure. Covid-19 deaths are now more than doubling fortnightly (a rate of 2.2). Comparing to the increase by a factor of 10 in March, it is still lower and slower, however the rate has not seemingly has not started to abate, and a deadlier-than-first-wave scenario could be expected.
In response to this, the UK has introduced its new system of “Local Covid Alert Levels”, commonly known as the three-tier system. The approach divides different parts of the country placed in different categories dependent on rates of infection, with areas in the highest level facing the toughest restrictions (local lockdowns).
Tier 1 (medium level), which covers most of the country.
Tier 2 (high level), where people will be prevented from joining with other households indoors. Places such as Essex or York are included in this tier.
Tier 3 (very high level), applies in areas where transmission rates are most concerning. The Government will set a "baseline" of measures that need to be in place for this tier, such as prohibiting social mixing indoors and in private gardens and closing pubs and bars unless they can operate as a restaurant. Traveling in and out of these areas is not advised. Examples of tier 3 cities include Nottingham, Lancashire and potentially London.
Tributes have been paid to the country's National Health Service and other essential workers as they help the country through the crisis.
Image: REUTERS/Hannah McKay
It should be noted that Matt Hancock has asserted that the Government will "rule nothing out" on the prospect of a new fourth tier of restrictions, which might involve closing of restaurants and non-essential shops.
Who’s in trouble with this? Probably everyone, but Britain’s economy might be in the brink of a double-dip recession. With the R number above 2 in many places, “recovery” might sound a little too luxurious for the United Kingdom.
Summer traveling has seen an abrupt end to the yearly increase in the number of people leaving home and hitting the road, with mobility data experiencing a steep fall in the autumn (fall). Although it’s still higher than the depths of the first national lockdown, the data is close to the levels of March, according to Apple mobility data.
Stock market rattled by the second wave, as financial markets around the world have sold off sharply amid concerns about the virus. FTSE 100 – the leading benchmark of the UK stock market – has slumped over the past month by more than 3% to below 5,600 points.
Slight inflation, and business recovery from the first Covid lockdown flattened out according to surveys of business activity, and nearly 700,000 job losses because of the pandemic.
What’s worse is that this is only the beginning.
(Updated 30th October 2020)