‘I’m a microbiologist – here’s the likelihood of a winter lockdown’

Yet, Dr Clarke clarified: “That would only be considered if there were an outbreak of a particularly novel, nasty form of flu or a variant of Covid that can overwhelm the immunity currently found in the population.” Thankfully, the Covid expert reckons “the chances of any sort of lockdown or tiered restrictions are vanishingly small”. However, he admitted “neither is impossible” but, as it stands right now, the concern is “not worth people losing sleep over”. As Pirola rips through the UK, Dr Clarke said: “People need to be sensible when going about their business over winter. “If you’re feeling under the weather, what feels like a heavy cold to you might be very serious to someone else.” Another lockdown isn’t impossible (Image: Getty) Dr Clarke added: “Don’t go spreading germs around your workplace if you could easily work from home.” Current symptoms of Covid, as pointed out by the NHS : A high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature) A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste Shortness of breath Feeling tired or exhausted An aching body A headache A sore throat A blocked or runny nose Loss of appetite Diarrhoea Feeling sick or being sick. While people are no longer required to test for Covid, lateral flow tests are still available to buy. Some people, no matter how mild their initial illness is, could go on to develop long Covid. Covid symptoms can include a fever (Image: Getty) Covid variant Pirola has led health officials to bring forward the roll-out of the Covid booster vaccination. Those regarded as clinically vulnerable will now be called up for a Covid booster from September 4, instead of mid-October. Vaccine manufacturers Moderna and Pfizer said their Covid vaccines generated strong responses in testing against Pirola, Reuters reported. As with all vaccines, temporary side effects are to be expected following vaccination. Dr Clarke told MailOnline: “The unpredictability of Covid and its impact means that we can’t simply ignore this virus.” Preventative measures could help to protect the most vulnerable in society, which include: Free lateral flow tests Wearing face masks Improved ventilation Expansion of the Covid vaccine. People who are eligible for the Covid booster, including those over the age of 65, will be contacted by their health services when it’s their turn to be vaccinated. Am I eligible for an autumn Covid booster? The following people are eligible for an autumn Covid booster: Residents in care homes for older adults All adults aged 65 years and over People aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group Frontline health and social care workers. People aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression People aged 16 to 64 years who are carers,and staff working in care homes for older adults.