With the recent lifting of restrictions on the 19^th of July, or ‘Freedom Day’ as some are calling it. It may seem like the UK is set to return to normal, but with Covid-19 cases still on the rise, it may be the time to take extra precautions.

According to the Gov.UK vaccination report, just over half of the UKs population has been fully vaccinated at 36.4 million people or 54%.

Now, everyone over the age of 18 can get the vaccine. This comes as the Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir Patrick Vallance, urges young people to get vaccinated.

Boris Johnson has also called on nightclubs and large events to make the socially responsible decision and enforce vaccine passports as a condition of entry.

Despite the complete ease of restrictions, people are still being urged to employ ‘common sense’ and wear face masks in crowded areas, limit the contact you have with people outside of your support bubble or household and to increase contact gradually.

Rather like how businesses are being urged not to bring all employees back into the office straight away, but to conduct a staggered return.

Now this might leave you wondering, why are restrictions being lifted if we are experiencing a potential third wave?

Well, despite the number of cases rising, the number of vaccinations is also levelling this out.

The vaccination scheme has drastically improved the UKs chances of a speedy recovery from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.

For example, if we compare the number of daily cases, hospital admissions, and deaths, from this period to the previous wave back in October/November time, we can see the clear improvements.

Back on the 8^th of October 2020, there were on weekly average, 14,391.4 new cases of Coronavirus reported.

However now, as of the 8^th of July 2021, on weekly average there are 31,578.9 new cases reported.

Doesn’t sound too good, does it?

But then if we compare the number of hospital admissions:

October 27^th 2020 reported 1 thousand new hospital admissions. Whereas on 14^th July 2021, only 536 were reported.

Even more importantly however, if we compare the death rate:

On the 22^nd of November 2020, a weekly average 466.4 deaths were reported.

On the 12^th of July 2021, this number has dropped drastically to 38.3 deaths.

Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/cases

Overall, despite the improvements in the number of hospital admissions and death rate, the number of cases is still on the rise. Which means that now more than ever, we need to remain vigilant and protect the vulnerable around us.