UK govt slammed over its early Covid-19 handling

The Hull Fair returned after a break due to the pandemic. More than 250 rides and stalls have returned to the English city for the annual event last postponed during WWII. The fair began in 1279. Pic/AFP

The UK government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic combined some "big achievements with some big mistakes", a Parliament panel concluded in a report published on Tuesday.

The ‘Coronavirus: lessons learned to date' joint inquiry by cross-party MPs from the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee and Science and Technology Committee is highly critical of the government's early response to the pandemic and concludes that thousands of lives were lost due to delays and mistakes by ministers and their scientific advisers. It also highlights the successes, praising the country's vaccine rollout against Covid-19 as a "guide for the future".

"The UK response has combined some big achievements with some big mistakes. It is vital to learn from both to ensure that we perform as best as we possibly can during the remainder of the pandemic and in the future," said MPs Jeremy Hunt and Greg Clarke in a joint statement on behalf of both Commons committees.

"Our vaccine programme was boldly planned and effectively executed. Our test and trace programme took too long to become effective," they said.

The 150-page report contains 38 recommendations to the government and public bodies and draws on evidence from over 50 witnesses, including Matt Hancock who was then UK Health Secretary and Dominic Cummings - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's close aide in Downing Street at the time.

WHO calls for climate action

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that countries must set ambitious national climate commitments if they are to sustain a healthy and green recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

This message comes as the WHO COP26 Special Report on Climate Change and Health was launched today, which highlights 10 priorities for safeguarding the health of people and the planet.

The report spells out the global health community's prescription for climate action based on a growing body of research that establishes the many and inseparable links between climate and health.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has shone a light on the intimate and delicate links between humans, animals and our environment," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

"The same unsustainable choices that are killing our planet are killing people. WHO calls on all countries to commit to decisive action at COP26 to limit global warming to 1.5degC - not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it's in our own interests. WHO's new report highlights 10 priorities for safeguarding the health of people and the planet that sustains us."

Pakistan records lowest number of Covid-19 cases

Pakistan has reported the lowest number of Covid-19 cases in a single day since June, the health ministry said on Tuesday, as the pandemic situation improved markedly in the country. The Ministry of National Health Services has reported 689 new cases in the last 24 hours, the lowest since June 21, when 663 cases had surfaced.

51,929
No. of new cases reported globally in the past 24 hours

23,71,96,253
Total no. of cases worldwide

48,40,189
Total no. of deaths worldwide

Source: WHO/Johns Hopkins

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