‘IT WILL GET WORSE BEFORE IMPROVING’

LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has posted letters to 30 million households across the UK, cautioning people: “We know things will get worse before they get better,” as he continued to isolate himself in Downing Street after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Alongside the letter, residents will receive a leaflet outlining advice, with clear explanations of symptoms, hand-washing guidance, rules on leaving the house, self-isolating with symptoms and shielding vulnerable people. The UK’s death toll has crossed 1,000.

“The prime minister is continuing to lead the government’s response to the coronavirus (outbreak) as he self-isolates after testing positive for the virus,” a government spokesperson said.

Health secretary Matt Hancock has also been infected by the virus while and Scotland secretary of state Alister Jack has gone into self-isolation with symptoms of Covid-19.

Cabinet office minister Michael Gove said on Sunday that the nationwide lockdown could last longer than current plans , as the country braces for the worst impact of the pandemic.

“Everyone I think does have to prepare for a significant period when these measures are still in place,” Gove said, speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show on Sunday.

Johnson wrote in his letter that the more Britons follow the rules, the fewer lives will be lost and the sooner life can return to normal. But health officials have not ruled out further restrictions during the ongoing three-week lockdown, suggesting that it may be extended until September.

Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has called for mass testing on the lines of sweeping efforts undertaken by South Korea and Germany, so that the lockdown period could be shortened.

Hunt wrote in The Sunday Telegraph that mass testing gave authorities greater clarity in identifying and containing potential outbreaks. “Where you find it, you can isolate and contain it. And where you don’t, vital services continue to function,” he wrote.