Yes, the number of Covid cases in the UK is rising – but that is no cause for alarm

‘I read with great pride that Covid vaccines reduced the global death toll by almost 20m in their first year.’ Former health secretary Matt Hancock at an NHS vaccine centre in Epsom, January 2021 Photograph: WPA/Getty Images

Four months ago, the UK took the decision to end all remaining legal Covid-19 restrictions, becoming the first major country in the world to do so. While some said it was too soon and that it would lead to a surge in cases, hospitalisations and deaths, this has thankfully not been the case. Instead, we have replaced the protection from lockdowns with the protection from science in the power of vaccines.

Seeing and taking part in the incredible scenes around the UK to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee just over three weeks ago showed just how far we have come in living with this virus. But even though we can rely on vaccines to protect us from severe illness or death, a virus as transmissible as Covid will not be eradicated. I have consistently said that Covid “will always be around” and that we should “live with Covid as we do flu”.