More than 31,000 people have died from Covid-19 disease in the UK, Environment Minister George Eustice announced Friday, noting that his country was “not out of the woods“and showering hopes of deconfinement.
The minister spoke two days before a speech by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on a possible loosening of containment in England, decreed on March 23, which already promises to be very limited.
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“There will be no dramatic changes overnight, we will be very, very careful when relaxing the current restrictions, as the data we present every day shows that we are not out of the woods.“said Eustice during the government’s daily press conference on the pandemic.
He announced an additional 626 deaths from the new coronavirus, bringing the total to 31,241, making the UK the second most bereaved country behind the United States.
This figure already exceeded 32,000 at the end of April, if we add the deaths for which Covid-19 is the probable cause but not confirmed by a test, according to official statistics.
Death of a 6 week old baby
The Public Health Service (NHS) in England has announced the death of a six-week-old baby. The infant, who already had health problems before being infected, is considered the youngest victim of this disease to have died in the UK.
Pending Boris Johnson’s speech on Sunday evening, the Minister of the Environment called on the British to “respect restrictions“traveling and staying home despite the good weather and a three-day weekend, with the commemoration Friday of the end of the Second World War.
“There are still major challenges, we will be living with this virus for a while and therefore it is important to avoid a second peak which could overwhelm our NHS“added the Minister.
Boris Johnson spokesman had previously warned that any easing would be “very limited“, taking into account the”very careful approach” of the government.
“Modest adjustments“
While Wales announced slight changes to the containment system on Friday, Eustice hinted that those announced by Boris Johnson might look like it.
The four constituent nations of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) “work together to try to have a broadly similar approach“, did he declare.
If the containment measures will be applied for an additional three weeks, from “modest adjustments“will take effect on Monday,” Welsh Prime Minister Mark Drakeford announced.
Welsh people can go out and exercise more than once a day without going too far from their homes. Garden stores will be able to reopen the libraries soon.
The population is called upon to continue working from home if possible. “We must not spoil the progress made“said Mr. Drakeford.
Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon also called on the Scots to remain confined. “You must continue to stay at home“She said in a press conference on Friday. The only news is that the Scots will be allowed to go out more to exercise.
Containment measures are decided by each of the four constituent nations of the United Kingdom and have so far been taken at the same pace.
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