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Doctor that discovered Omicron says UK is ‘creating hysteria’ with talk of lockdown
‘If Omicron really were such a deadly variant, we would expect the numbers to have shot up, yet that simply isn’t happening here’
The South African doctor that first discovered the Omicron Covid variant has accused the UK of ‘overreacting’ with talks of a potential lockdown.
Speaking to Sky News yesterday, Dr. Angelique Coetzee stressed that many of her patients infected with the Omicron variant have only mild symptoms, noting that there is a ‘huge gap’ between ‘the science and what is actually happening’.
She said: “If Omicron really were such a deadly variant, we would expect the numbers to have shot up, yet that simply isn’t happening here.
“This makes it all the more peculiar to see what’s happening in the UK.
Sky News
“This huge overreaction is scaring people unnecessarily, and if your Government does decide go to for a hard lockdown in the New Year, that could end up doing far more harm than good.”
Dr. Coetzee went on to compare Omicron to the previous Delta variant, which she described as ‘heartbreaking’ and ‘terrible’, saying she simply has not witnessed the same hospitalisations and severe symptoms this time around.
She explained: “What do I give to [Omicron] patients? Do I give them the same treatment as Delta? No, you don’t have to. There is no need for that.
“You need to take precautionary measures, you have to be prepared but don’t hype it up, [don’t say] that people are going to die from viral infection, that hospitals will be overwhelmed. It is better to wait and see.”
In its fight against the new variant, the government has a number of plans in place, including their last resort known as Plan E, which would see a return to lockdown with all pubs, cafes, restaurants and non-essential retail being forced to closed.
Under this plan, people would only be permitted to leave their homes for essential reasons like work, food shopping and medical appointments.
The UK is currently under Plan B restrictions, which includes the use of face masks in public spaces and transport and Covid passes for nightclubs and large venues.
The Prime Minister is expected to host a Covid press conference from Downing Street at 5pm this afternoon.