Has the UK passed the coronavirus peak? - BBC Newsnight

The data released by the government about hospital deaths suggests that the UK peaked on the 18th April, with the latest figures showing the fewest deaths in a fortnight.

Hospital admissions data also reveals a similar decrease over the last few weeks.

How should this data be interpreted?

This does not mean that the lockdown should end, and the government stressed fears of a second peak if restrictions are lifted.

But the data does allow us to understand how the disease has been spreading.

Health Editor Deborah Cohen reports.

#Coronavirus #Covid19 #Health


Newsnight is the BBC's flagship news and current affairs TV programme - with analysis, debate, exclusives, and robust interviews.

[paxundpeace]

They aren't even testing enough almost half of tests are positive.
In Germany one out of 12 tests is positive.

[recoveryedits]

Dear government, if you can’t help at least don’t create panick with numbers

and deaths from heart attacks, cancer, flu etc have fallen by 100%

[gemsandlasers]

I don't get it. Based on the official numbers of fatalities, there is still a slow be steady increase in mortality rate. The number of deaths on the 8th of April was 5491 but on the 19th of April there was 5850. You could argue that there was an inflexion (slowing) of the mortality rate around the 8th of April, but definitely not that it was the peak.

[gamingnowimold]

I just dont know what to believe anymore. The hope is strong. Dear God those poor people.
All we want is no frills truths.
Just the truth. No finger pointing or misinformation.
Hope remains. Stay safe everyone

[hedley]

It's reckoned that as much as 12% of Covid19 admissions to hospital, are the same people who attend A & E for coughs and colds in any event. Even before the Covid19 fear mongering started, one of the greatest concerns that hospitals always had to contend with, was having to deal with hypochondriacs. Those who suffer with medical anxieties such as psychosomatic illnesses or munchhausens syndrome and their variants etc, have always put an unnecessary strain on the NHS. The emotional side of Covid19 in the weeks and months to come, will inevitably continue to put further pressure on the health service.

[JohngolightlyLive]

People should stay home, hospitals don't help this. It's making it worse

[tarquax]

Bats: Exist
Chinese people: it's free real estate

[Ironside-fzvd]

Am I the only person who's optimistic? Am I the only person happy to hear the virus is declining? It seems to me that most people are disappointed things are looking better. We're not over it quite yet but if this report is correct then it's getting better. What's wrong with everybody. It seems like people want doom and gloom.

[antonysmyth]

Does that mean we are getting better at treating, eg quicker into care?

[macclift]

Is there any data available on how many people who've been getting flu shots regularly (before each flu season), are getting this virus in its killer form, and how many people who *haven't* been getting flu shots regularly are getting coronavirus in its killer form?

[Woodbug-bt]

Open the Economy up and this will soon change. The tsunami virus if left unchecked!.