This latest wave of COVID-19 has driven Britain to a record number of active infections over the past few weeks – but are we already over the worst? Several data sets are now indicating that new cases of the virus are starting to decline.
UK infections ‘peak’, as hospitalisation data improves
It’s understood the BA.2 variant of COVID-19 – slightly more transmissible than its predecessor – is behind the surge in infections. But the UK’s official coronavirus dashboard has shown cases dropping over the past week.
The number of people testing positive has dropped by 12% over the last seven days – and there’s also some positive hospital data to report, according to these figures from NHS England:
A sporadic Covid chart or two for you all.. Omicron BA2 is likely near or past its peak now. In terms of treated Covid+ patients so far it has a lower impact than Omicron BA1 in January.. % of Covid+ patients treated for Covid remains historically low (Omicron mildness). pic.twitter.com/ozBjjLyGDr
— Martin Thornber (@MartinThornber) April 1, 2022
Worldwide COVID-19 deaths on the decline
Of course, this is coming from a high base, and our battle against COVID-19 is certainly not over yet. But there are some encouraging signs on both the domestic AND global front.
Our World In Data, who have been monitoring COVID-19 numbers worldwide since the start of the pandemic, pointed out this week that virus deaths are now ‘as low as they have ever been’, going back to our first lockdowns in April 2020. This data is also supported by Worldometer.
Cases AND hospitalisations in the US have also reached two-year lows. This is largely thanks to the huge impact vaccinations and boosters have played since the end of 2021. A third jab has been proved to increase the bodies antibody levels – and the proof appears to be in the pudding….
Global Covid-19 deaths are currently lower than at any other time during the last two years. The last day the seven-day weekly average was below now was April 1st 2020. pic.twitter.com/1Oc1DgydjH
— Prof Francois Balloux (@BallouxFrancois) April 2, 2022
