The UK was not fully prepared for a pandemic of this type, England’s deputy chief medical officer has said.
Dr Jenny Harries said more testing would have been carried out if tests were available earlier on, and knowledge about asymptomatic transmission could have resulted in a prompt recommendation to wear masks.
Speaking at the launch of the new UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), of which she is chief executive, Dr Harries told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We were not fully prepared for this pandemic and, as I’ve said, I’m very happy to accept there is an awful lot to learn.
The UK was not fully prepared for a pandemic of this type, England’s deputy chief medical officer has said.
Dr Jenny Harries said more testing would have been carried out if tests were available earlier on, and knowledge about asymptomatic transmission could have resulted in a prompt recommendation to wear masks.
Speaking at the launch of the new UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), of which she is chief executive, Dr Harries told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We were not fully prepared for this pandemic and, as I’ve said, I’m very happy to accept there is an awful lot to learn.
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There have now been ten different Covid variants in the UK, a report from Public Health England (PHE) today revealed.
The UK was not fully prepared for a pandemic of this type, England’s deputy chief medical officer has said.
Dr Jenny Harries said more testing would have been carried out if tests were available earlier on, and knowledge about asymptomatic transmission could have resulted in a prompt recommendation to wear masks.
Speaking at the launch of the new UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), of which she is chief executive, Dr Harries told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We were not fully prepared for this pandemic and, as I’ve said, I’m very happy to accept there is an awful lot to learn.
Brits could be swapping Spain for Bahrain under new summer holiday traffic lights system
Exclusive
Updated: Apr 1 2021, 17:59 ET
Sluggish jab rates and Covid variants have dashed hopes of a European getaway this summer. Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates.
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But the Gulf state, with its rapid rollout, gets a green light under plans unveiled next week.
Summer holiday hotspots will be ranked under a new traffic lights system letting Brits fly to “green” countries with low Covid rates and strong vaccine rollouts.
The move, to be unveiled by Boris Johnson, will see Bahrain, Dubai and the US top destination wish lists.