Coronavirus: UK doctors largely believe country is headed for second wave this winter

Thousands of doctors believe that a second peak of coronavirus this winter is likely or very likely, according to a survey.

A poll by the British Medical Association (BMA) found that 86 per cent of more than 8,000 doctors and medical students in England said a second peak was imminent in the next six months.

Doctors said the two most important measures to help prevent a second peak were a fit-for-purpose test and trace system that is accessible and provides timely results, as well as a coherent, rapid and consistent approach to local outbreaks.

They also highlighted the need for clearer public information and more visible messaging on rules and guidelines, including those on people mixing with others from outside their household.

The BMA said the implementation of the “rule of six” coronavirus restriction, which came into force on Monday, is an opportunity for the government to end ambiguity and double down on ensuring people are adhering to infection control measures.

Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chairman, said: “These results come from thousands of GPs and hospital doctors and expose the fears of frontline clinicians – fears that come from their everyday experiences of treating patients with Covid and watching, the first time round, as the virus spread with alarming speed while the government delayed efforts to overcome it.

“We, as a profession, want above all to avoid a return to the scenes we saw in April, when hospitals were full with Covid-19 patients, and hundreds were dying every day.

“Meanwhile, thousands of others missed out on vital appointments and procedures as routine care was put on hold.”

Dr Nagpaul said that although the forecast from the survey may appear bleak, it is not an inevitability if the government takes “decisive, robust and timely action to stamp down the spread of the infection”.

“Over recent weeks and months, we have seen the failures of test and trace and ongoing confusing messages to the public on what they can and cannot do, which have resulted in escalation of the virus spreading – these have both been highlighted by doctors as key priorities to get right if we are to stand a chance of preventing a second peak this winter.”

He stressed that other “fundamental” issues, including the “test and trace debacle” need to be urgently tackled despite Monday’s new measures.

“It is unacceptable that people and contacts with the infection are not being identified due to failings in the system – which is resulting in the infection spreading blindly.

“With daily cases still alarmingly high, and winter just around the corner, we are at a critical crossroads in the fight against this deadly virus,” he added. The number of new Covid-19 cases in the UK exceeded 3,000 for the third day in a row on Sunday.

“All efforts must be made to avoid a repeat of the horror and tragedy we all experienced earlier this year.”