At the beginning of the year, a new pandemic known as a coronavirus (COVID-19) began spreading in Wuhan, China. Since then, the virus has spread to most of the continents and countries in the world, including the UK. Reports to date suggest that over 794,000 people have been infected and over 43,000 people have died from COVID-19.

While the UK has recorded deaths totaling 2,352 to date (early April), the number of people infected with COVID-19 since the first case was recorded on the 5th of March, 2020 has risen to over 100,000. With the increase in the number of infected people and the lack of capacity in our hospitals to accommodate them, questions remain whether the UK is making adequate progress when it comes to flattening the curve?

WHAT IS COVID-19?

There are several viruses that cause diseases in animals that have jumped to humans and COVID-19 is one of them. Over recent years, the world has seen 7 of these viruses pass from animals to humans either through eating the meat or by direct contact. The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to those of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) — an epidemic that raged from 2002 to 2003.

With the virus being highly contagious and spreading fast across the globe, Chinese scientists fear that creating a vaccine may require more time than we actually have.

WHAT IT MEANS TO FLATTEN THE CURVE

Scientists often refer to the curve as the number of newly infected people predicted over a certain time.

Since COVID-19 is highly contagious and widespread, we have witnessed the capacity of our healthcare system stretched beyond limits.

Flattening the curve will require that the measures put in place by the government can help slow the number of people becoming infected and hence, boost the efficiency of the healthcare system. Smart-Space can help industries in the UK that need emergency space to flatten the curve through their amazing temporary medical facilities.

IS THE UK BEGINNING TO FLATTEN THE CURVE?

Several countries around the world, including the UK, have introduced several measures such as social distancing and disinfecting streets, etc. to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Although this has helped control the spread to some extent, countries like the UK still need additional temporary beds to help treat infected people.

The widespread nature of this virus has put several countries around the world including the UK on their toes with each country in dire need of emergency space to temporarily treat infected people.

MEASURES TO FLATTEN THE CURVE

Aside from social distancing, there is a need for the UK to construct temporary medical facilities to treat infected people. These facilities are often cost-effective and they take significantly less time to be assembled than traditional buildings. Hence, making them a more reliable solution during this emergency.

Aside from their eco-friendliness, temporary medical facilities will allow the government to request the features they will need like ventilation systems, etc. to help boost the efficiency of medical personnel. These temporary facilities can be assembled on-site in as little as 3 to 4 days. They will be able to comfortably accommodate all classes of infected people.

These facilities can either be bought or hired to help reduce costs as the country and the world at large continue to try to find a way to halt the COVID-19 pandemic.

CONCLUSION

The need for emergency medical space to help accommodate and contain those infected with the virus for proper treatment cannot be overemphasised. Experts believe that the next step to help flatten the curve is having adequate space or facilities to accommodate and treat those infected with COVID-19 and curb any further spread.

Author

Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X