COVID-19: Europe's third wave may spell trouble for UK despite vaccine rollout, government adviser warns
Despite things heading in the right direction, the UK is warned to be "wary" of a spike in cases across the Channel.
Saturday 20 March 2021 11:57, UK
A rise in COVID infections throughout Europe could spell trouble for the UK in a matter of weeks, Sky News understands.
Despite the runaway success of the UK's vaccination programme, scientists who advise the government have urged caution and said that the country isn't out of the woods yet.
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The warning came as several regions in France, including Paris, prepare to enter a new month-long lockdown.
Scientists warned that the UK should be wary of numbers going in the wrong direction in Europe because in the past that has led to increased numbers here.
They believe the UK is at a more vulnerable point now than a few weeks ago as the decrease in infections is slowing down.
The R number - the reproductive rate of the virus - has risen marginally across the UK this week following the reopening of schools - and the adviser said he "wouldn't be surprised" if case numbers also increased soon.
Scientists warned it would be wrong to assume the UK was out of the woods - though they stressed the country was headed in the right direction overall.
Fears of a third wave in Europe have seen half of Italy's 20 regions plunged once more into the country's strictest form of lockdown, which sees schools and non-essential shops among the places closed.
Germany's head of public health declared on Friday that the country is now at "the beginning of a third wave".
Scientists have warned the South African variant of COVID is the most concerning and one to keep the closest eye on.
It comes as Paris and 15 other French regions enter another lockdown from midnight - albeit slightly less strict than previous ones - after rising cases blamed mainly on the faster spreading Kent variant.
There were nearly 35,000 new cases in France on Thursday, whereas the UK on Friday reported 4,802.
Nearly a third of France's population, about 21 million people - mainly in the north, are subject to the new lockdown, however it does not close schools.