Scientists are warning that the UK’s second Covid wave could be worse than the first

The government has been briefed that the second wave of the coronavirus will be more deadly than the first wave, according to The Telegraph.

Although the number of deaths in the coming months is expected to peak at a lower level than in the spring, it is likely to remain steady at that peak for a longer period of time, potentially even for months.

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Where is this data coming from?

These predictions come off the back of a projection put together by the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). As a result of the grave projection, SAGE are thought to be trying hard to persuade the Prime Minister to take more drastic action, potentially even a national lockdown.

An unnamed “well-placed source” told the Telegraph that the Prime Minister is “under a lot of pressure to lock down again.”

The source reportedly said, “It’s going to be worse this time, more deaths.”

Where the shape of the graphs showing the rise in infections has previously been compared to a sombrero and a camel’s humps, ministers are said to be referring to the shape of the new projection as a “lampshade,” with a sharp rise followed by a long, flat peak before it drops off again.

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What is the current number of daily deaths?

The UK recently recorded the highest daily deaths figure from Covid since May, with 367 confirmed dead on 27 October after testing positive for the virus. This is expected to continue rising in the coming weeks, and could soon reach 500 deaths per day.

Speaking to the Telegraph, the Medical Director of Public Health England, Dr Yvonne Doyle, said, “We continue to see the trend in deaths rising, and it is likely this will continue for some time. Each day we see more people testing positive and hospital admissions increasing.”

According to Politico’s Playbook, a government source said that the latest date is “incredibly worrying.”

SAGE is also warning that all of England will likely need to be placed under Tier 3 restrictions by Christmas.

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