UK Researchers Warn "Omicron Could Cause 75,000 Deaths This Winter"

Plan C Under Discussion at Lockdown Level

(Photo by Bloomberg)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] British researchers have projected that if additional quarantine measures are not implemented to curb the spread of the Omicron variant, up to 75,000 deaths could occur in the England region alone by the end of April next year.

According to The Guardian, researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) estimated that without further restrictions to control the Omicron variant, between 25,000 and 75,000 deaths could occur in England by the end of April next year.

This projection assumes that no measures stronger than the UK government's recently announced 'Plan B' are taken.

The researchers predicted that the Omicron variant will become the dominant strain in the UK by the end of the year. They also forecasted that hospitalizations could be five times higher without booster shots.

They further estimated that if indoor dining is banned, theaters are closed, and gathering sizes are limited early next year, deaths could be reduced by 7,600.

Discussions are already underway about further strengthening quarantine measures, including enhanced isolation of close contacts, complete closure of restaurants and hotels, and restrictions on social contacts, including a 'Plan C.'

The UK Health Security Agency (HSA) reportedly advised Health Secretary Sajid Javid that strict nationwide measures must be implemented by the 18th to prevent COVID-19 hospitalizations from exceeding last winter’s levels, according to documents obtained by The Guardian.

In a report dated the 7th, the HSA warned that even if the Omicron variant leads to fewer severe cases compared to the Delta variant, daily hospital admissions could reach 5,000, potentially overwhelming the healthcare system.

The HSA stated in the documents, "If the doubling time of infections remains at 2.5 days, strict measures are needed before the 18th of this month; if it extends to 5 days, measures should be implemented during December."

On the 10th, the UK recorded 58,000 new daily cases, the highest number since the lockdown in January this year. There were 120 deaths reported. Omicron variant infections were reported at 1,265 cases.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.