COVID infections are surging due to the virus constantly evolving and becoming “too clever”, the WHO’s special envoy on the virus has told Sky News.

Dr David Nabarro has urged people to “respect the virus” as it was revealed COVID related deaths had exceeded 200,000, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The data was published on Wednesday as a new wave, mainly driven by Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5, hits the UK.

COVID restrictions could be reintroduced if the rising number of cases has an impact on the NHS backlog, health minister Lord Kamall has warned.

Dr Nabarro told Sky News’ Kay Burley on Thursday morning: “This virus is capable of constantly evolving and changing.

“The reason why we’ve got an increase is it’s changed yet again and it’s become too clever for us.

“It can break past our immune defences, and that’s why the numbers are going up.”

Increased socialising and people no longer taking precautions such as wearing face masks have also contributed to the rise in COVID cases, Dr Nabarro said.

“My advice to everyone is please, this virus hasn’t gone away, it’s not killing so many people but it is really unpleasant especially if you get long COVID.”

Precautions still matter, Dr Nabarro said, adding: “Even though we don’t like it we have to go on respecting this virus.”

He also hailed the success of COVID vaccines and urged everyone to ensure their vaccination status is up to date as possible, in particular people who are older and have diabetes.

WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned on Wednesday how the virus is “running freely” – as he called on world leaders to deploy measures including mask-wearing and improved ventilation.

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Figures released at the beginning of the month showed the number of people testing positive had soared 32% to 2.3million.

A study on the social legacy of the pandemic found a “stark” worry gap has opened up with women twice as likely to be extremely concerned about their lives.

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