Opinion

Editorial: Covid pandemic is far from over

EMERGING details of a worrying new Covid variant provide a stark warning of the dangers the virus still poses 20 months into the global pandemic.

British Health Secretary Sajid Javid expressed alarm yesterday that the new strain, which has been identified in countries including South Africa, Israel and Belgium, "may pose substantial risk to public health".

The focus for concern is an unusually high number of mutations. Not only could this make the virus more infectious, but vaccines and hospital treatments may prove less effective.

Bitter experience has shown us that quick and decisive action is crucial in limiting transmission and buying time to assess the exact nature of the threat and how to combat it.

Governments have already moved to suspend flights from southern Africa, and travellers arriving in Northern Ireland from affected countries will now have to quarantine for 10 days.

It must be hoped that lessons have also been learned about the importance of a robust test and trace system to help isolate the variant when it does appear.

Chief medical officer Sir Michael McBride said yesterday it is not yet possible to judge how effective current vaccines will be, but this should in no way dissuade people from coming forward for first, second or booster doses.

A drive to inoculate more teenagers will include pop-up clinics across the north this weekend.

The ongoing threat posed by the Delta variant was highlighted when the Department of Health recorded more than 2,000 new infections in a single day, for only the third time since the start of the pandemic. Nine more people who had tested positive for Covid have tragically also lost their lives.

Latest figures also confirm another weekly rise in cases, an alarming trend which has prompted the Executive to make proof of vaccination, or Covid-free status, a requirement for entry to many hospitality settings.

Businesses expressed frustration yesterday at a lack of detail emanating from Stormont, just 48 hours before the scheme comes into force.

But while such concerns are valid, it was deeply disappointing to see the economy minister, Gordon Lyons, speak out against the decision of the executive to introduce vaccine passports.

With public adherence to restrictions having undoubtedly slipped, unity of purpose and messaging at Stormont will be vital if we are to control Covid cases and protect our overstretched health service.

Growing international concern about potential impact of the new variant is a reminder, if one were needed, that this pandemic is far from over.