The government says we must learn to live with COVID-19. But as the number of infections continue to rise that becomes increasingly difficult. 

Our lives are disrupted either through falling sick to the virus, having our children off school or not being able to get the goods and services we need because of the impact this virus is having on our workforce.

This is before we even begin to assess the effect on our short-term and long-term health after repeat infections of the virus.

About 20 million lives were saved by the COVID-19 vaccine in its first year but another 600,000 deaths could have been avoided if the World Health Organization (WHO) had met its target, according to new estimates.

The herd immunity some were predicting has not quite materialised. The Omicron sub variants are largely to blame for that.

Waning immunity in a population that is largely vaccinated has prompted the call for a new round of boosters to be made more widely available.

But how effective will these existing vaccines be against the new variants that will inevitably emerge? Variant specific vaccines are still some way off.

Number of people with COVID in UK rises 32% to almost 2.3 million

COVID infections rise in 110 countries as WHO’s director general warns pandemic is far from over

COVID-19: Piers Corbyn fined for illegal gatherings held during lockdowns

Read more: Number of people with COVID in UK rises 32% to almost 2.3 million

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Hospitalisations are rising and so are the number of patients in ICU. Outbreaks in care homes have increased as well. But, crucially, these are nowhere near the numbers we saw during the previous peaks either pre- or post-vaccine.

As people gather and mix at large events over the summer we expect to see the surge continue. We saw a spike in infections after the Glastonbury Festival.

So the upwards trend we are seeing here and has been reported globally is likely to grow.

This has renewed calls for mitigation measures: masks in public areas, limits to large gatherings and better ventilation in indoor spaces.

The government is unlikely to implement any further non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). It sees that as a retrograde step. Instead it urges us to use common sense and judgement.

It may be forced to rethink its strategy on living with the virus if this summer surge continues to grow.

Related posts:

Race report critics ‘insulting’ and taking it out of context, author says Neighbour feared ex-footballer was dead after officer ‘stamped’ on his head Police issue image of man ‘who could be key’ to PCSO murder investigation William and Kate share picture of Charlotte taking part in Big Butterfly Count ‘We were in it until the death’: British and Irish Lions lose decisive third test to South Africa Man, 33, charged with attempted murder over knife attack on social worker Quarantine hotels appeal to be launched after lawyers lose judicial review Omicron ‘exit wave’ possible in the summer, scientists say ‘All of toddler’s nose ripped’ from single bite by ‘soft’ pet dog that was boy’s ‘best friend’ Chelsea FC sale approved by the Premier League Board – but takeover not final yet Cosmetic surgery adverts targeting teenagers banned Former care worker jailed for life after murdering baby she was hoping to adopt