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The British Medical Association (BMA) is calling on the government to bring back mask wearing for patients after the latest ONS figures revealed there has been over 200,000 Covid-related deaths in the UK since the start of the pandemic.
In total, 200,247 Covid deaths have been recorded since ONS records began. Of these deaths, 294 occurred in the past week following a rise in infections.
While vaccination uptake and better understanding of social distancing measures have contributed towards fewer deaths, almost a quarter of fatalities occurred in the past year, serving as a stark reminder that Covid has not disappeared.
Regular tests for NHS staff and ensuring access to PPE
In response to the findings, Professor Philip Banfield, BMA council chair, said: “Today marks a deeply tragic milestone for our country as it is confirmed that 200,000 people have lost their lives to this devastating virus. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of those who have died, each of whom have suffered an irretrievable loss.
“This terrible loss of life must serve as an important reminder that Covid-19 has not gone away and remains a serious threat to public health. It is vital that the Government ensures that the public are well informed of the risks of Covid-19 and the steps they can take to protect themselves and others, especially at this time of rising Covid infections.
As well as the reintroduction of mask-wearing for patients, Prof Banfield would also like to see the return of regular testing and high-quality PPE for NHS staff.
In addition, the BMA is asking the government to reverse its “deeply damaging” decision to end Special Covid Leave for NHS staff, as this provided “vital support” to healthcare staff if they needed to self-isolate or became unwell with Covid or Long Covid.
Ensuring that lessons from the pandemic are learnt “sooner rather than later”
The BMA says the government must now explain to the public how it plans to deal with potential further Covid waves as well as the longer-term impacts of the virus, such as Long Covid.
“The families of the people who have lost their lives to Covid, as well as the healthcare workers who have spent over two years working in the most harrowing situations, deserve answers and the nation needs assurances that we will never experience tragedy on this scale again.
“It is crucial that the Government demonstrates that it has a strategy to deal with both the immediate pressure of waves of heightened infection rates and the longer-term impact of Covid, including the disproportionate impact on different groups in society, underpinned by appropriate investment.
“We look forward to working with Baroness Hallett and the public inquiry to represent the frontline doctors who have sacrificed so much in the battle against Covid-19 to ensure that lessons from the pandemic are learnt sooner rather than later,” Prof Banfield said.