July 14, 2020

what does winter hold for COVID-19 and UK health?

As we unlock after the COVID-19 pandemic, health experts are looking ahead to winter to anticipate the challenges we may face.

The Academy of Medical Sciences assembled a group of 37 experts to ask what a ‘reasonable worst winter’ may look like for the UK and ask what we need to do to prepare now to save lives.

Journalists came along to hear about their new report ‘Preparing for a challenging winter 2020/21’, and to hear three members of the expert group answer questions including:

•          What are the main health challenges we could face this winter?

•          What impact could these challenges have?

•          What can we do now to prepare for a challenging winter?

•          Why will winter help spread COVID-19?

Speakers included:

Prof Stephen Holgate, Medical Research Council Clinical Professor of Immunopharmacology and Honorary Consultant Physician at the University of Southampton.

Prof Dame Anne Johnson, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at University College London and Academy of Medical Sciences Vice President (International)

Prof Azra Ghani, Chair in Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London