Virus ‘In Retreat' But We Can't Risk 2nd Wave

We are winning but we must be vigilant

- Macer Hall

Coronavirus is “in retreat” but Britons were urged yesterday to be vigilant and cautious in the battle to avoid a devastating second wave.

As the daily death toll dropped to 55, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it showed the country is quashing the epidemic and on course for a cautious easing of the lockdown.

But he stressed the Government will not allow a second peak that overwhelms the NHS.

Data showing no deaths in London or Scotland over 24 hours as “very good news”, the Cabinet minister said.

He said: “But we must be vigilant and we must be cautious, and we are taking a safety-first approach.”

Mr. Hancock also announced a significant expansion in the testing regime to include all care homes in England.

Officials signalled the progress made in fighting the virus means the Government can stick to the plan of allowing non-essential shops to reopen next week with some pubs, restaurants, and bars to follow next month.

Mr. Hancock insisted every coronavirus death was a tragedy but the plunging number of new infections and fatalities showed the virus was retreating.