Scientific research group Independent Sage has set out what it describes as a six-week emergency plan to bring Covid-19 infection rates below 5,000-a-day.
On Friday, new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed there was an estimated average of 27,900 new cases per day of Covid-19 between October 2 and 8.
The blueprint from the group also calls for “urgent reform” of the NHS Test and Trace system.
Independent Sage’s proposals for a two to three-week lockdown include the immediate closure of schools, non-essential retail and businesses, the leisure and hospitality sectors (takeaways permitted) and places of worship.
It further calls for a return to two-metre physical distancing, a ban on household mixing outside of support bubbles and a switch to online teaching in universities.
If we don't take this opportunity, we are doomed to a groundhog day where as soon as this period is over and things relax, we will go back up again
The group adds that the circuit breaker should be followed by a period of continued restrictions sufficient to keep the R number below one while allowing schools to stay open.
Dr Gabriel Scally, a former NHS doctor and professor of public health at the University of Bristol, said: “Our emergency plan gives us an opportunity not only to get the virus back to a much lower level, but it also gives us an opportunity to put the framework in place to make sure it stays there.
“If we don’t take this opportunity, we are doomed to a groundhog day where as soon as this period is over and things relax, we will go back up again.”
LIVE now: Independent SAGE sets out 'Emergency Plan' to halt virus and a blueprint to fix failing Test & Trace. Presented by @theAliceRoberts. Latest figures from @Kit_Yates_Maths https://t.co/vsFTjOrEl2
— Independent SAGE (@IndependentSage) October 16, 2020
Advertisement
He added: “Enough is enough. Fighting this virus without an effective find, test, trace, isolate and support system properly integrated and run at a local level by the NHS, and with local authorities, fighting without that is like fighting a battle with one hand tied behind your back.
“At the moment we are doing that, and that is why we’re losing.”
Professor Christina Pagel of University College London, said: “Cases, hospitalisations and deaths are rising across England. The tiered system will not be enough to reverse growth.
“Despite four weeks of living under Tier 2 type restrictions in many areas and three weeks of Tier 1 restrictions elsewhere, cases continued to increase rapidly everywhere.”
She added: “Agreeing with Sage, we believe a sharp national circuit breaker for two to three weeks followed by three to four weeks of continuing restrictions is needed to stop the current wave in its tracks, preventing tens of thousands of new cases and thousands of hospital stays.
“This will buy us precious time to build a public health and social scaffolding to support easing restrictions and restarting our lives.
“We must not waste this time.”
