Sign in Subscribe
Coronaviruses

UK Hospitals at Breaking Point Amid COVID-19 Surge

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Emergency services in England are struggling to cope with the rising number of COVID-19 patients, with hospitals running out of oxygen and staff at "breaking point." The NHS is facing its worst crisis yet, with more patients in hospital than during the previous peak in the spring. The new, possibly more infectious coronavirus variant is believed to be responsible for the steep rise in infections, with scientists warning that the situation could worsen in January. Increased household mixing over Christmas has also prompted concerns that the situation could become even more dire.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK's National Health Service is at "breaking point" due to the surge in COVID-19 patients, with doctors warning that staff are exhausted and oxygen supplies are running low.
  • Hospital admissions for COVID-19 have surpassed the previous peak in the spring, with 20,426 confirmed patients in English hospitals as of December 28.
  • The new, possibly more infectious coronavirus variant is believed to be responsible for the steep rise in infections, with scientists warning that the situation could worsen in January.
  • Increased household mixing over Christmas has prompted concerns that the situation could become even more dire, with some hospitals forced to divert ambulances due to oxygen supply concerns.
  • Over 40,000 new confirmed cases were recorded in the UK on Monday, the highest ever, with the number of daily cases expected to rise further.
  • Professor Andrew Hayward, an infectious-diseases expert who advises the UK government on COVID-19, warned that the government needs to introduce further restrictions on social mixing to avoid "catastrophe" in the new year.
  • The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has told Prime Minister Boris Johnson to shut schools in January to prevent an even more severe rise in coronavirus infections.

Statistics:

  • 20,426 confirmed COVID-19 patients in English hospitals as of 8 a.m. on December 28 (Source: NHS England)
  • 40,000 new confirmed cases recorded in the UK on Monday, the highest ever (Source: Government figures)
  • 18,974 confirmed COVID-19 patients in English hospitals during the previous peak in April (Source: NHS England)
  • 1 in 52 people in England have COVID-19 (Source: UK government figures)

Sources:

  • Business Insider: "UK's new coronavirus strain: what we know so far" (https://www.businessinsider.com/uk-new-coronavirus-strain-what-we-know-2020-12)
  • The Independent: "London's Queen Elizabeth Hospital has run out of oxygen amid the coronavirus crisis" (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-london-queen-elizabeth-hospital-oxygen-b1779468.html)
  • NHS England: "COVID-19 daily admissions and beds" (https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/12/COVID-19-daily-admissions-and-beds-20201228.xlsx)
  • BBC: "UK needs tighter Covid rules to avert new catastrophe, expert warns" (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain/uk-needs-tighter-covid-rules-to-avert-new-catastrophe-epidemiologist-warns-idUSKBN2930QW)
  • Politico: "EU mulls joint response to UK’s no-deal Brexit" (https://www.politico.eu/article/coronavirus-uk-government-scientists-close-schools-january-boris-johnson/)

Read more