Coronavirus: Scientists criticise Whitty’s claims it will be difficult for UK to eliminate Covid-19
Independent SAGE calling for ‘zero Covid’ approach
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Top scientists have hit out at claims by England’s chief medical officer that the UK will struggle to eliminate Covid-19.
The Independent SAGE group, led by former chief scientific adviser for England Sir David King, is calling for a ‘zero Covid’ approach.
Scotland is within “touching distance” of that goal, they believe.
But last week England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty warned that eliminating Covid-19 in a “highly connected” country like the UK was unlikely.
He told the Lords Science and Technology Committee: “Elimination means zero cases onward transmitted and for this disease this is going to be very difficult.”
He added: “We’ve tried to eliminate or eradicate a very large number of diseases over the years.
“We have so far in humans eradicated one, smallpox, and we’ve tried on a lot of other occasions. This is not an easy thing to do.”
Prof Gabriel Scally, a member of the Independent Sage group, said it was possible to eliminate Covid-19.
He agreed with Prof Whitty’s definition of ‘elimination’ as no onward transmission of cases within the UK.
But he added that Britain had a “long history of eliminating diseases”.
He pointed to measles as an example of a disease that was effectively eliminated for a long period of time in the UK, before making a resurgence in more recent years.
With Covid-19 “it is possible”, he said, adding that Scotland was within “touching distance” of eliminating the disease.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments