how it all works. i think if we think back to this time last year, we had much fewer numbers of cases of covid, but we ve had far higher deaths in far higher hospitalisations, and really the big change that we have made is vaccination, which is massively reduce the chances of hospitalisation and sadly death, but now with 0micron what has happened is we have got a massive increase in the number of cases, and whilst vaccination and boosting, in particular is to hold that at bay, that still means the number of cases is translating them into quite a significant number of hospitalisations, and i think it will translate, sadly, into the number of deaths, especially as it starts to affect older age groups. purely because the numbers are so enormous? purely because the numbers are so enormous? , , , ., enormous? exactly, their numbers are a- roachin: enormous? exactly, their numbers are approaching 200,000 enormous? exactly, their numbers are approaching 200,000 around - enormous? exactly,
thank you very much forjoining us. what strikes you, then, about these latest figures, the things that you were hopeful about and maybe a little more pessimistic? i think it s really good little more pessimistic? i think it s really good news little more pessimistic? i think it s really good news and - little more pessimistic? i think it s really good news and the i little more pessimistic? i think. it s really good news and the early data, the cases seem to have slowed, it s much more linear in most age groups, in the school age children the rates are starting to reduce again, but the slightly worrying thing is that in the over 55 is the rates are still on the incline, and that means we are promised or not at the end of it in terms of hospitalisations.- the end of it in terms of hospitalisations. the end of it in terms of hositalisations. , ., hospitalisations. so, there is often a delay between hospitalisations. so, there is often a delay between seeing hospitalisations. so,