Months of pain, says top medic

Nigel Nelson POLITICAL EDITOR

LOCKDOWN must not be lifted early, NHS England’s medical director insisted.

Professor Stephen Powis said: “This is a once-in-acentury global health crisis.

“Even countries that got on top of this early on are beginning to see new infections. This not going to be something we will begin to get over in weeks.

“We are going to have to continue working our way through over the months ahead – this is not a sprint but a marathon.”

He was backed by Home Secretary Priti Patel who said: “I know you would love me to give you a date when schools may reopen, but we are not going to.

“We want to prevent a second wave of this horrendous virus. To do that we have to make sure we continue with measures that are in place.”

Meanwhile, mystery surrounded the role of controversial No10 adviser Dominic Cummings on the independent Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies.

There was an outcry when it was revealed yesterday that he attended meetings of SAGE – the scientists who say when the lockdown can be lifted.

Quizzed by the Sunday People, Prof Powis refused to say if Boris Johnson’s sidekick had spoken at any meetings.

“It’s the scientists that make the scientific contributions,” he said.

Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the presence of Mr Cummings raised “significant questions” about government credibility.

We need a step-change in the response to this pandemic