The UK may face up to 120,000 COVID-19 deaths this winter, The Guardian reported referring to senior doctors and scientists convened by the Academy of Medical Sciences.

“The modelling suggests that deaths could be higher with a new wave of Covid-19 this winter, but the risk of this happening could be reduced if we take action immediately,” said Stephen Holgate, chair of the expert group and professor of immunopharmacology at the University of Southampton.

“With relatively low numbers of Covid-19 cases at the moment, this is a critical window of opportunity to help us prepare for the worst that winter can throw at us.”

“We do need to take this threat of a new wave of Covid-19 very seriously but, if we prepare now, there is a lot we can do to minimise the risk,” he said.