Covid-19: London doctors warn of second wave

AS THE Prime Minister and his Cabinet announce apparently random easings of the Lockdown in England, usually leaving the public in ever greater confusion, London’s doctors have expressed their concern about whether they could cope with a second wave of infections. Here is what they have to say.

This is not the time to be complacent around lockdown easing
Dr Gary Marlowe, BMA London Regional Council Chair
As the lockdown across London eases, we cannot forget that the infection rate in communities across the UK remains worryingly high. The risk surrounding this highly infectious illness remains significant and if there is further spread thousands more families could lose loved ones before their time.

In a recent BMA survey, doctors in London revealed fears around a second peak of Covid-19 that has the potential to overwhelm the health service. 47% of doctors in the region expressed that they were not confident in their ability to manage a second influx of Covid-19 cases.

We understand that the lockdown in itself has had an impact on people’s health and wellbeing, but it remains vital that easing it must be done gradually and sensibly. The Government must take every measure possible to support the public and employers in stopping the spread of the virus, whether that’s in outdoor places, reuniting with friends and loved ones, or returning to work.

To prevent a second peak and avoid more loss of life in London, the BMA is calling on the Government to establish a widescale, accurate and systematic approach to test and trace embedded in local systems and structures, and support the public in adhering to social distancing and infection control measures as restrictions are relaxed.

Frontline staff have worked tirelessly during this pandemic to care for patients and save as many people as possible, often putting this before their own safety, wellbeing and health. To risk a second pandemic as a result of complacency could serve to undermine the incredible efforts they have already gone to throughout this pandemic.

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