British Prime Minister “I did my best” apologize, but experts say “failure is due to the government”

The UK fell in grief as the number of deaths from Corona 19 exceeded 100,000. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a press conference on the 26th (local time). “I feel sorry.”

According to the BBC broadcast, the cumulative death toll on that day was 100,000,162. It is the first in Europe to surpass 100,000 deaths and is the fifth in the world after the United States, Brazil, India and Mexico.

The UK entered the world’s first vaccination last year, and 6.68 million people (10% of the population) completed the first vaccination. From the 5th, it entered into a strong national blockade. However, the British government explained that it was helpless to the rapid spread of the mutant virus.

“It’s a very sad day,” said Professor Chris Whitty, the government’s top academic adviser. “The mutant virus changed the situation in Britain very seriously.” Health Minister Matt Hancock also gave a gloomy prospect that “the tough times will follow and the death toll will be severe.” “Vaccines will be our way out,” he said, “but we can’t stop (blockade) now.”

Prime Minister Johnson said, “Even with the highest level of blockade, the infection rate remained at a terribly high level,” and said, “In a few days, additional details on the blockade will be determined and announced.”

“It was a national tragedy that 100,000 people died,” said Keer Starmer, the head of the Labor Party.

Scientists also pointed out that during the two pandemics last spring and fall, the British government did not take the warnings of scientific advisors seriously, which raised the problem. The British Daily Independent cited the results of a study at Imperial College London and pointed out that even a week before the first blockade on March 23 last year, up to 26,800 deaths could be prevented.

According to a report released by the National Inspection Bureau in June last year, between March and April, when the epidemic peaked last spring, 25,000 vulnerable elderly people were transferred from hospitals to nursing homes without being tested for Corona 19, which accelerates the spread. There was also an analysis that would have done it.

“The British government was able to learn from the Italian case at the time that the elderly were more vulnerable, so it was able to build a protective barrier around nursing homes, which failed,” said Professor Linda Bald (public health) of the University of Edinburgh.

The government’s response during the second pandemic last fall is considered the most painful mistake. The number of infected people was soaring due to the lifting of the first blockade too early, and the government neglected the warnings of scientists and decided that even the second blockade was too late.

The UK government’s scientific advisory group advised that a blockade should be made in September last year, but the blockade took place in November. At the time, Professor Whity warned that “there could be 200 deaths per day by mid-November,” but the Independent pointed out that it was ridiculed.

It is believed that the mutant virus was also produced and spread during this period. “It was a huge mistake to ignore the advisory group’s warnings in September,” said Professor Stephen Griffin of Leeds University. “Because it was an early stage of exponential spread and the mutant virus did not cross an area.” Pointed out.

It was pointed out that even the blockade that started in November was not properly implemented in consideration of the Christmas holidays. Julian Tang, Professor Emeritus of Leicester University (Department of Respiratory Science), said, “At the time of the blockade in November, we implemented a two-level blockade in London and Kent, and opened non-essential businesses for Christmas shopping. It was a measure that could have the same spreading effect.”

“Every problem has arisen between containment, relaxation, containment, and relaxation. We are in the third phase now, allowing domestic and international travel, as in the summer of last year, and easing all restrictions, we will never catch the virus.” Warned.

Reporter Jeong Eun-hye [email protected]