Thousands more people than usual are dying … but it’s not from Covid
… a second health crisis is quietly emerging in Britain
… thousands of excess deaths that were not caused by coronavirus
… 48 per cent (4,635) were not caused by Covid-19
… an estimated 23 million fewer GP consultations – both in-person and online, in 2020 compared with 2019
… patients were arriving at A&E with serious conditions that had worsened during the pandemic
… flu at increased levels this year because immunity to influenza will have waned
… “It’s worse this year than I think I remember at any point in the last 20 years.”
… The country is also suffering because of a lack of immunity
… lockdowns, social distancing, isolation and masks kept Covid-19 down, it also prevented other diseases from circulating
… locking down the country again this winter, mandating masks and work from home rules
… The Covid-19 response may have inadvertently created an ongoing health crisis from which there is no way back
