MP CAROLINE ANSELL: There is some cause for optimism over COVID-19

There is some cause for optimism around coronavirus with four out of five government’s tests to enable the UK to move out of lockdown either been met or close to being met despite many challenges.

1. We do have the intensive care capacity and some to spare through the Nightingale hospitals.

2. We do have early signs of a ‘sustained and consistent’ fall in the daily death rate but it needs to go down more.

3. The rate of infection is decreasing to ‘manageable levels’.

4 .The supply of tests and PPE to meet future demand is effective although challenges remain.

However, it is the fifth test that is a little trickier: we must be confident removing or altering lockdown measures will not risk a second peak that overwhelms the NHS.

Without a vaccine, this is a challenge for every country and it’s why the government is still cautious about lifting the restrictions.

We must also be mindful that the coronavirus situation in care homes remains a real challenge and that will play into this thinking too.

I do understand there is growing frustration and real concern about jobs and the economy going forward but, as the Foreign Secretary said this week, we are at a delicate and dangerous situation and I think patience, for a little longer, is needed as we prioritise saving lives.

But, there is also some grounds for optimism too that life will be able to go back to some normality soon.