More than 100,000 people could die this year if the coronavirus lockdown is lifted so only elderly and vulnerable people are shielded, an expert advising the government has said
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Professor Neil Ferguson said he was"very sceptical" that a scenario where the younger population resumed a normal life would be a"viable strategy". He said it would require"a very high level" of effective protection for the vulnerable and elderly population, who are also the"least able to really be truly isolated".
Speaking to news outlet UnHerd, he said:"The most vulnerable people are also the people who most need care and have most interaction with the health system and are least able to really be truly isolated."And if you achieve just 80% shielding, 80% reduction in infection risk in those groups, we'd still project you get well over 100,000 deaths later this year through that sort of strategy.
He said his team was now working on a model for easing the lockdown and would release details in the coming days.
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