FREEDOM could last for only a matter of weeks before restrictions are brought back in, a top health boss has warned.

Southend’s director for public health, Krishna Ramkhelawon, has urged people to not change their attitude towards the virus despite all Covid restrictions being lifted today, warning the curve of Covid case rates is “steeper than the last wave”.

The current case rate in Southend is 267 per 100,000 – with the number expected to rise as the full consequences of mass gatherings during the Euro 2020 final are revealed.

The figures are higher than the national average.

He said there are also 1,000 cases per 100,000 in the age group 19-22.

Mr Ramkhelawon said: “I think it’s highly likely we could see restrictions in the coming weeks. The rates are going up at such a pace. If hospital rates keep going up I don’t see how we can’t consider restrictions.

“We could have no choice but to ask for restrictions.

“I don’t think we’ve seen the impact of Euro 2020 yet.

“If we do have to have restrictions, I just want to see them in the areas that most need them rather than all residents in Southend being impacted.

“How steep the curve is in terms of infection rates, it’s steeper than the last wave we had.

“We’re still fighting a battle.”

NHS England data has revealed the mid and south Essex trust currently has 34 Covid patients in hospital as of Tuesday.

There were only two beds occupied by Covid patients four weeks ago.

Mr Ramkhelawon said: “We’re really concerned at the admission rates of hospitals.

“I have asked hospital colleagues to look at who is being admitted and what the vaccination status is of these people so we can see what the impact has been if they were vaccinated.

“We believe those who are double jabbed are less likely to be impacted by the virus. “ Health bosses still have concerns that not enough young people have had their first jab ahead of the full re-opening.

With nightclubs ready to open their doors, Mr Ramkhelawon insists people should be tested before mixing in with mass crowds.

He added: “Now we can fully re-open, we need to make sure we’re using risk assessment to make sure we’re Covid-secure.

“I’m concerned that we haven’t considered some of the measures we could have kept in place. People need to know the consequences if we don’t stay Covid secure.

Mr Ramkhelawon is on annual leave as the first week of freedom starts, but fears what Covid chaos he will be coming back to. “It makes me feel disappointed that after all this work and how far we have got in where we need to be, it could all go back again.”