Covid chaos in UK: Deaths skyrocket, patients pile into packed hospitals. Know what WHO has advised

If media reports are to be believed, coronavirus death toll has skyrocketed in the UK and its citizens suffering from the viruses are piling into the country's hospitals. The UK health authorities urged the citizens before Christmas to use face masks. However, after new figures show a sharp rise in hospitalizations as well as an increase in deaths, it is evident that the appeals have fallen on deaf ears. The rise in coronavirus cases is due to the JN.1 strain of COVID-19 which has been sweeping the world for the last two months, becoming the dominant strain in many countries and the UK is not an exception.

New hospitalisation cases

According to the UK Health Security Agency, an increase of 598 new hospitalization cases has been recorded in the last seven days. This is, an 18.7% rise on the seven days prior, a total of 3,800 for that week overall. Besides, there has been an increase of 13 deaths, giving a weekly total of 179. However, a total of 7,862 positive cases were recorded, which is a drop of 813 from the previous week. This is almost 10% lower than the seven days prior. It may be treated as a positive development amid chaos.

Rate of coronavirus cases drops

According to the 'Daily Star', the UK's rate of cases per 100,000 over seven days dropped from the day before to 13.31 from 14.83 as on January 3. This is a dramatic drop from the 16.13 recorded just two days before Christmas Day.

WHO Advises masking rules

The World Health Organisation advised last month that all health facilities should be brought under the masking rules. It also advised that respirators and other personal protective equipment for health workers caring for suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients also be introduced.

Royal College of Nursing backs WHO

The Royal College of Nursing supported it and wrote to nursing officers in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as the UK Health Security Agency to demand action be taken. However, it too seemingly fell on deaf ears, as only a few NHS trusts have reintroduced mask-wearing over the last few months.

FAQs:

How much increase in coronavirus cases has been registered?
An increase of 598 new hospitalization cases has been recorded in the UK in the last seven days. This is, an 18.7% rise on the seven days prior, a total of 3,800 for that week overall.

What has WHO advised?
The World Health Organisation advised last month that all health facilities should be brought under the masking rules. It also advised that respirators and other personal protective equipment for health workers caring for suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients also be introduced.