England has been dropping all corona measures since July 19.
Scotland also does without distance rules.
Many scientists fear increasing numbers of infections.
But the trend gives hope.
London - Almost all corona protective measures in the UK were lifted three weeks ago.
Hundreds of scientists had previously warned against this step: Up to 100,000 British people could become infected with Covid-19 through the openings - with serious consequences for the health system.
But in reality it turned out very differently: in the first few weeks the incidence even fell.
According to Johns Hopkins University, the number of new infections reported on July 19 was 34,245.
The seven-day mean was 465. Three weeks later, the number of new infections reported is 21,636 - the seven-day incidence is 284.7.
So although a downward trend is emerging, the numbers are still at an immense level in comparison with Germany (incidence on August 10: 23.5), for example.
Corona numbers in England are falling: what is the reason for this?
Simultaneously with the decrease in infections, the number of tests performed in the UK decreased only minimally. For many English scientists it is clear that the numbers are actually falling and are not just an effect of fewer tests. This is also confirmed by figures from the national statistical authority “Office for National Statistics” (ONS).
The reasons for the drop in numbers are numerous, as Jonathan Van-Tam, UK Government's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, told the
BBC
.
On the one hand, the nice weather means that people spend more time outdoors, on the other hand, numerous Englishmen have already been vaccinated.
According to “
Our World in Data
”, the
number of first vaccinations is
currently around 70 percent, and the number of people fully vaccinated is 58 percent.
In addition, the effects of the European Football Championship have now flattened out.
Corona in Great Britain: Falling infection numbers do not yet confirm a trend
+
The English have reason to celebrate: The corona measures have been relaxed and the number of infections is also falling - still.
© David Jensen / EMPICS Entertainment via www.imago-images.de
Epidemiologist Markus Scholz from the University of Leipzig told
ZDF
that a trend reversal cannot yet be assumed: “You would like to see this development for three or four weeks.
Then you can only assume a stable trend. ”He is of the opinion that the decline in the number of infections could possibly also be due to the holiday season.
For example, there are fewer contacts at school.
In addition, it has been shown that many people still adhere to the Corona measures despite the easing: "Interestingly, despite the lifting of the restrictions in England, people have the strong feeling that measures such as masks and hand washing are important," says ONS research director Tim Vizard across from the
Süddeutsche Zeitung
.
Corona in Great Britain: Virologist confident - "That gives hope"
The development in Great Britain gives hope to the Hamburg virologist Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit, despite the rising incidence: “The development in Great Britain shows that one cannot simply say that if we lift almost all measures, everything will get out of hand. We are now seeing exactly the opposite, ”he said in an interview with
dpa
. For Germany he advises caution, "but that gives hope that the vaccinations can achieve something so that, despite the lifting of almost
all measures, the number of cases will decrease and the health system will not be overloaded."
Current trends from Johns Hopkins University confirm, however, that the number of infections in Great Britain has been rising again for a week.
Scientists hope for vaccination progress in the United Kingdom: According to estimates by the "Public Health England" authority, nine out of ten adults already carry Covid-19 antibodies through a vaccination or infection.
Corona measures: Scotland is following suit - and is also loosening up
According to Johns Hopkins University, the number of infections is also falling in Scotland.
That is why Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon lifted the measures against the corona virus on Monday (August 9).
According to reports from the
dpa
, the distance regulations have now been lifted there, with a few exceptions.
There are therefore no longer any capacity limits for pubs, restaurants and events.
Night clubs are also allowed to reopen.
In authorities, schools and public transport, however, a mask is still required.
(dpa)
List of rubric lists: © David Jensen / EMPICS Entertainment via www.imago-images.de