R value estimated to be 40-80% higher for Delta variant, say UK scientists

June 21 relaxation could see Covid-19 resurgence ‘larger than previous waves’ (Luciana Guerra/PA)

Relaxing lockdown measures on June 21 could result in a resurgence of infections and hospital admissions, government scientists in the UK have said.

However, the level of uncertainty around the modelling suggests it is not possible to tell if proceeding with the next step of the road map would result in a resurgence considerably smaller or larger than previous waves.