UK must prepare for second virus wave, say health leaders

Health leaders are calling for an urgent review to determine whether the UK is properly prepared for the 'real risk' of a second wave of coronavirus.

Writing in the British Medical Journal, the country's top medics have warned that urgent action would be needed to prevent further loss of life.

The presidents of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons, Nursing, Physicians, and GPs all signed the letter after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced changes to England's lockdown.

From 4 July, Johnson said that pubs, restaurants, cinemas and hairdressers will be able to reopen. Additionally, the two metre social-distancing rule will be replaced with a 'one-metre plus' rule in England, meaning people should stay at least two metres apart where possible, but otherwise should remain at least one metre apart while taking steps to reduce the risk of transmission, such as wearing face coverings.

Following the announcement, health leaders called for a 'rapid and forward-looking assessment' of how prepared the UK would be for a new outbreak of the virus.

The letter reads: "While the future shape of the pandemic in the UK is hard to predict, the available evidence indicates that local flare-ups are increasingly likely and a second wave a real risk. Many elements of the infrastructure needed to contain the virus are beginning to be put in place, but substantial challenges remain."

The authors of the letter, also signed by the chair of the British Medical Association, urge ministers to set up a cross-party group with a 'constructive, non-partisan, four nations approach', tasked with developing practical recommendations.

In the Commons on 23 June, Johnson said he did not believe there was 'a risk of a second peak of infections that might overwhelm the NHS'.

The latest figures show a further 171 people had died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK, taking the government's official total to 42,927.