Downing Street did not rule out a firebreak lockdown in the event that the NHS was overwhelmed by Covid cases, but it denied plans to do so during October's half-term school holidays.
Some scientists warn that cases are expected to rise further in autumn. They suggest that there may be restrictions in the months ahead, including a limit on gatherings and mandatory indoor masking.
According to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, (Sage), a precautionary break might be included in contingency plans. Another member stated that a firebreak lockdown was possible. This could be done during the October half-term. The break would then be extended to two weeks instead of one.
Boris Johnsons spokesperson denied that the government planned a lockdown/firebreak for the October half-term.
He made it clear, however, that additional restrictions like a 2-week circuit breaker were still possible if the NHS was to be overwhelmed.
He said that while we have kept contingency plans in our responsible planning for many scenarios, these types of measures would only ever be reintroduced to stop unsustainable pressures on our NHS.
We have made it clear that we will act, and we have taken action when necessary to safeguard our NHS. We have not had the protections provided by our vaccination program on previous occasions, so we are now in a different phase.
Scientists believe the idea of a firebreaker is a good idea.
Ravi Gupta is a professor of clinical microbiology and member of Nervtag advisory. However, she spoke in her personal capacity to suggest that the plans might not be enough.
He said that I believe this was a predictable situation and could have been avoided.
He suggested that a firebreaker of two weeks may be helpful, but it is unlikely to last long enough to prevent transmission. Although vaccination of 12- to 15-year olds is a good way to reduce transmission, we have done it too late.
In a personal capacity Prof Julian Hiscox from the University of Liverpool, who is chair in infection and global healthcare, spoke: Every winter, we have seen influenza affect hospital admissions. Now, we have it on a larger scale with Covid-19.
If necessary, it is a good idea to have a firebreak. A vaccine booster should be administered now to prepare for winter, as well as to supplement the flu vaccine campaign. This will help prevent serious diseases and keep hospital admissions down.
Graham Medley, a Sage member and professor of infectious diseases modelling at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said that it was up to government to decide if it is a good idea. This is one way to plan for reducing prevalence.
Nadhim Zahawi (vaccines minister) said that he hadn't seen any plans for a lockdown during a firebreak. When asked by BBC Breakfast if the government was considering a lockdown in October, Nadhim Zahawi replied: "No, I haven't seen any plans." This question is from me. According to the i newspaper, there may be a lockdown. Look, vaccines have allowed us to reduce the number of infections and save 100,000 lives.
The booster program is how I believe we can make the virus less pandemic and more endemic. We will be able to deal with the virus year after year. Although it will be with us for many more years, we don't have to shut down our economy or take drastic measures like we did in December last year.
The number of cases rose to more than 40,000 in the last 24 hours. They are expected to increase further as schools return from summer break in England and Wales. Since its students returned, Scotland already has seen an increase in cases.
Senior clinical lecturer at University of Exeter Medical School, Dr David Strain also supported the idea. He noted that hospitalisation rates are similar to levels during the last wave. He said that it was important to use any firebreak in order to determine whether booster shots or vaccinations of older children are the best use of vaccines. This would ensure a targeted exit strategy.
He said that a two-week emergency firebreak is a sensible precaution. He also stated that most models predicted a rise in school return-related cases in the next four to six week. We must act now to avoid an emergency lockdown if this results in increased hospitalisations, as Israel's data suggests.
