By Sammie Jones-
The UK has recorded its lowest daily rise in the number of coronavirus deaths since before lockdown on 23 March, according to latest government figures.
No new deaths were announced in both Scotland and Northern Ireland for the second consecutive day, in what is seen as welcoming news. Only 55 people died after testing positive with the virus, taking the total number of deaths to 40, 597, it was revealed today
Scotlan’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon expressed optimism that Scotland’s coronavirus restrictions could be eased further on 18 June after a second day with no recorded deaths.
Sturgeon said she was encouraged by the news of no new deaths, but cast some doubt on the current optimism by stating that it was “highly likely” that more deaths would be registered in the coming days.
She also expressed the likelihood that measures to shield most at risk from the virus would continue until the end of July.
The good news has been balanced by a call for caution due to reporting lags on Mondays sometimes arising from weekend delays.
Pub owners will be encouraged by the news and could use it as further grounds to call for a complete re-opening of pubs across the UK, but the British government’s time table will see pubs only open their beer gardens on June 22.
There remains concerns of a second spike which can be caused by the large concentrations gathering at UK beaches, and anti-racism protests which potentially opens up the UK to ore risks of infections.
The British public may have to wait until the end of the week before it is clear whether the virus has truly been suppressed or if what appears to be good news is merely a sign of lags in the transmission of information.
The news can be viewed in different ways, but it will not be long before we know if it is time to accelerate a relaxation of the lockdown.
The government will want to err on the side of caution in case the virus comes roaring back. Some caution is always necessary, especially when dealing with dangerous viruses like this.
If there was ever a time to exercise control when the sun is out on a hot weekend, it is this period. A little more patience could see the end of the lockdown quicker than expected, but thoughtless disregard of the rules may only revive the virus and take us back to an ugly cycle of deaths and self isolation that ruins all we have fought so hard for.