![]() In the best-case scenario, things continue pretty much as they are today, with everything open and people - slowly but surely - returning to life as normal. Here are their thoughts on the months ahead - the good, the bad and the ugly. We spoke to many of the country’s leading experts. On Saturday, the former prime minister Tony Blair has called on the Government to introduce vaccine passports now or "risk further lockdowns. So how might things pan out in practice over the next six to nine months? When push comes to shove, “the Government remains committed to taking whatever action is necessary to protect the NHS from being overwhelmed”. Ministers believe Plans A and B will be “sufficient to reverse a resurgence in autumn or winter”, but add that “the nature of the virus means it is not possible to give guarantees”. There is no official Plan C but it is, of course, another lockdown, or what the new plan refers to as “more harmful economic and social restrictions” only to be considered “as a last resort”. “In a Plan B scenario, the Government would issue clear guidance and communications to the public and businesses, setting out the steps they should take to manage the increased risks of the virus,” says the document. This would involve mask mandates, vaccine passports and the nation getting what amounts to a stiff talking to. Should that not prove adequate, Plan B would then be instigated “hard and early”. Plan A relies on vaccines and booster shots to hold the virus at bay. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister set out a two-part “Autumn and Winter Plan”. Tasmania recorded five deaths and 1307 new cases, with eight patients in hospital.Perhaps it betrays the UK’s approach to fighting Covid-19, but the only real question we Britons are asking at the moment is this: will there be another lockdown this winter? The Northern Territory reported two deaths and 242 new infections, with 15 people in hospital. The ACT recorded one death and 910 new cases, with 37 people in hospital, including one in intensive care. South Australia recorded 29 deaths and 3797 new cases, with 53 people in hospital, including six in intensive care. Western Australia reported 6916 new infections, with 142 people in hospital, including three in intensive care, which is down from eight last week. Hospitalisations remain at 105, while the number of people in intensive care has increased to three. Queensland reported 14 deaths, down from 18, as well as 4427 new cases following 4447 the week before. There are 231 patients in hospital, up from 172 the week before. Victoria recorded 24 deaths last week and 10,226 new cases, an increase from 8537 the previous week. Intensive care admissions were also down, from 25 to 17. Hospitalisations fell slightly, with 809 patients in hospital compared with 820 the week before. There were 12,450 new cases compared with 10,050 cases the week before. Last week, NSW recorded 24 deaths from Covid-19, an increase from 16 the week before. Professor Kelly said it was unlikely Australians would spend another Christmas in lockdown. While Professor Kelly said there was no increased pressure on hospital systems yet because of Covid, he encouraged people to wear a mask in crowded situations or if they were unwell, test for Covid-19 if they had symptoms and ensure they were up to date with vaccinations.Įvery jurisdiction now reports on Covid-19 cases weekly rather than daily. “For those that are more vulnerable to severe infection, even if you are not over the age of 70, go and get the antivirals.” “If you’re in that age group go and get the antivirals, get them started as quickly as possible. “Antiviral medicine is the thing, if not for everyone but for people over the age of 70. “At the moment we are not considering further doses if you are already up to date, but that’s the thing that ATAGI will continue to look out for over the coming months. “When you consider that most of us got our third doses a year ago or in more recent months, so that protection lasts,” he said. Professor Kelly also reiterated the protection that vaccines provide against severe Covid. ![]() Picture: Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg via Getty Images Now is the time to consider if you are due for a vaccine.
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