Top scientist warns ditching social distancing will spark second ‘major wave’ of coronavirus infections

A TOP scientist has warned that ditching social distancing will spark a second “major wave” of Covid infections.

SAGE member and former Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Mark Walport has praised ministers for sticking to the plan which has seen infection rates slump.

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He told Times Radio: “A bad flu epidemic combined with coronavirus could put enormous pressure on the NHS.

“The relatively good news, I think, is that in the southern hemisphere their winter flu wasn’t too bad.

“It may be that social distancing reduced the flu as well.

“But were we to abandon social distancing, it is absolutely clear we would get a second major wave of the infection.”

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Sir Walport also praised Ministers contingency planning revealed by the Sun.

He said: “It is right that the Government thinks about all of the options and indeed the very unpleasant combination of things that can happen together.”

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