Still a long way to go before virus is beaten

SIX months ago, the prospect of coronavirus retaining its grip on our lives until next year would have been nightmarish. And yet as case numbers rise, it appears likely that Covid may be with us well into 2021.

Boris Johnson has set a cap of just six people for indoor and outdoor gatherings in England from Monday.

We will find out today if Nicola Sturgeon intends to follow suit.

But there may be a limit to public tolerance of further tough curbs. Yesterday, there was a chilling warning from a senior academic that lockdown compliance will not last for ever. Indeed, Professor Linda Bauld forecast possible civil unrest.

Undoubtedly, it will become harder to maintain trust and support for vital public health measures.

Meanwhile, Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, said he would be ‘surprised and delighted if we weren’t in the current situation until next spring’.

These are sobering predictions – but the official figures paint a more positive picture. The increase in cases has not resulted in a large rise in hospital admissions, or deaths.

Containing the virus remains a priority – and everyone must heed the official advice. These rapid gear-changes may be necessary, but they are stoking confusion and uncertainty.

A ‘world-class’ testing system remains an aspiration – and at times seems light years away from reality. As a resourceful and resilient nation, we can – and will – overcome these monumental challenges.

We have to keep up the fight – or risk a backward step into the attritional limbo of full lockdown.