According to the report requested by UK's chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, and obtained by BBC, scientists suggest that in the worst-case scenario, the winter wave of coronavirus will result in up to 251,000 fatalities, while the minimum amount of victims will be about 24,500.

"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," professor Stephen Holgate, a respiratory specialist from University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, who chaired the report, said, as quoted by the broadcaster.

At the same time, the authors of the report note that their estimates are not a prediction, but rather a possibility of what may happen if no action is taken.
To date, the United Kingdom has registered nearly 45,000 coronavirus-related fatalities.

The scientific estimates do not take into account possible restrictions, treatments or vaccines. Scientists expect the second wave of COVID-19 will peak in January and February since the virus can survive longer in colder conditions.