Based on UKHSA advice, the UK Chief Medical Officers and NHS
England National Medical Director have recommended to Ministers
the COVID Alert Level moves from Level 3 to Level 2.
Hospitals and the wider health systems remain extremely busy
overall but the summer BA.4 and BA.5 wave is subsiding and direct
COVID severe illness is now a much smaller proportion of this.
Severe COVID cases, direct COVID healthcare pressures, direct
COVID deaths and ONS community positivity estimates have
decreased. COVID remains present in the community and we may see
an increase in cases with BA 4.6 and BA.2.75 circulating but do
not expect this to lead to an immediate increase in hospital
pressures. This will continue to be kept under review. Further
COVID surges are likely so please be prepared by getting a
vaccination when it is offered.
Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Sir
Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, Professor Sir Michael
McBride
Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Professor Sir Gregor
Smith
Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Professor
NHS England National Medical Director, Professor Sir Stephen
Powis.
Health and Social Care Secretary and ministers from the
devolved administrations have accepted the advice.
Background
The Covid alert levels are as follows:
- level 1: COVID-19 is present in UK, but the number of cases
and transmission is low
- level 2: COVID-19 is in general circulation but direct
COVID-19 healthcare pressures and transmission are declining or
stable
- level 3: a COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation
- level 4: a COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation;
transmission is high and direct COVID-19 pressure on healthcare
services is widespread and substantial or rising
- level 5: as level 4 and there is a material risk of
healthcare services being directly overwhelmed by COVID-19
