As the Prime Minister returns to work this week having defeated COVID-19 in his body, there is much to do to defeat in his country. Huge progress has been made in slowing the advance of the virus as people have acted responsibly and kept their distance from each other. The challenge now is to go further.
The Government is fully aware of the importance of testing as many people as possible. They are rapidly increasing the number of tests that are carried out throughout the country, with the goal of being able to carry out 100,000 tests a day by the end of the month.
Testing has now been expanded to essential workers, starting with critical NHS staff, and their families, to help ensure they can stay in work if they test negative, and to get them back to work as quickly as possible if they have symptoms.
A broad range of testing methods is being rolled-out to increase accessibility, including home testing kits, mobile testing sites and satellite testing kits. As of last week essential workers are able to book tests directly for themselves or members of their households who are experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19 – a high temperature or a continuous cough.
I understand regional testing centres are being set up, and more details of these and their locations will be made available to those who need them soon.
Here in Brentwood and Ongar, Brentwood Community Hospital has seen its two wards opened up for COVID-19 patients to be cared for. I know there are hundreds of constituents who work for hospitals in Basildon, Chelmsford, Harlow, London and Southend and, after a few early concerns, PPE is now flowing in and out of distribution centres to the healthcare settings which need it. I’ve also been made aware of dozens of generous donations from High Street shops and suppliers of soft drinks, energy bars and patient “welcome bags” providing nightclothes, a toothbrush and handcream for those who have arrived at hospital with little more than they stand up in.
My thanks to all those CVS and Rotary volunteers who helped move beds and equipment in and out of Brentwood Community Hospital at the weekend. Other volunteers continue to do sterling work in delivering shopping, medicines and other vital supplies to those who are shielding or self-isolating and our local borough, district and parish councils are doing amazing work in making sure the most vulnerable are cared for.
As always, although the weather has been good, please remember to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
