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The chart shows hospitalisation rates as a percentage of infection across the pandemic and the difference vaccines made.
Memories of Covid-19 arriving on our shores and the local, or national lockdowns this led to are still fresh. A similar thought applies to the illness and death Covid caused, raising concerns about a repeat this winter.
As we write this in October 2022, alongside rising flu cases, Covid infection is high. Infection rates are beyond 3% of the population and whilst the rise is tapering off a little, next January could see the same, or higher.
Hospitalisation and deaths have also increased to unwanted rates but numerically, are much lower than during the original pandemic. Vaccinations are preventing serious illness and fatalities to a significant extent.
Please Get Vaccinated
If you didn’t originally decide on vaccination, consider changing your mind. 1st or 2nd jabs are still available to all and have proven to be safe.
Should you be over 50, or in a higher risk group and eligible for a booster, making sure you have this is important. Your immunity will be topped up and the vaccine used has been tailored to work against newer Omicron variants.
As long as you are registered with a GP, vaccination appointments can be booked online, normally at a reasonably local centre.
By being vaccinated, you contribute to saving lives. You are less likely to pass on a serious infection and more importantly by not being ill, less likely to contribute to another group of deaths.
The Hidden Cost
That changes in healthcare due to Covid would indirectly cause fatalities has long been accepted but the scale of this is only now becoming clear.
Most research puts non Covid excess deaths during the pandemic higher than from Covid. Heart conditions, strokes, cancer and diabetes related conditions are prominent issues, although there are others.
Some people decided to avoid medical facilities and with the care focus on Covid, many more saw appointments, or treatment postponed. The backlog this created remains an issue, people are still dying due to this.
By being vaccinated you make a dent in the problem and you can do the same by not becoming complacent. This is entirely understandable after so long but continuing to exercise a little care makes sense.
Don’t Delay Medical Visits
Early diagnosis is critical in many diseases, we are acutely aware of this in dermatology, for skin cancer and a range of conditions. If you feel there is a problem, please arrange to see a specialist.
Should you be due treatment, or an old condition has flared up, don’t feel you need to avoid care because of Covid. Good medical facilites have maintained extra precautions, to ensure patients are protected.
Delay of diagnosis and treatment are causes of excess deaths, which The Department of Health have admitted would largely be preventable in normal times. If you need medical help and can access this, then you should do so.
Into The Winter Of 2022
Nobody can say precisely what will happen, although most forecasts state that Covid will remain endemic and infection is likely to be higher than at any previous time. By some estimates, 40% higher than the peak of year one.
Deaths will sadly rise again but not to the level they were, although the NHS is likely to be hard pressed. We could see 2000 Covid hospital admissions a day, along with the pressure this brings on ICU beds and wider facilities.
The governmental reaction may be different, as are the economic times. Large scale lockdowns are improbable, neither would many people want them, nor are they a good fit for what we now know on indirect outcomes.
This winter will see the first true test of living with Covid. The best contribution we can all make is caring for our own health, through vaccination, reasonable precautions and seeking prompt care for medical issues, to minimise treatment.