Coronavirus: Boris Johnson claims 'massive success' despite England having highest excess death rate in Europe

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been branded “delusional” after claiming “massive success” in reducing the number of fatalities from coronavirus, despite figures showing England has had the highest excess death rate in Europe.

Mr Johnson’s comment came just hours after the Office for National Statistics said the length of England’s outbreak, combined with the fact it had one of the highest peak deaths of any country, resulted “the highest levels of excess mortality in Europe for the period as a whole”.

Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said the PM was becoming “increasingly delusional” about his “appalling” record, which has seen the UK record the highest per-capita deaths of any of the worst-affected countries.

As updated guidance across the UK extended the period of self-isolation from seven to 10 days for people with coronavirus symptoms, Mr Johnson acknowledged that the disease was “bubbling up” in up to 30 parts of the country and said he was concerned about a “resurgence” of Covid-19 after the relaxation of restrictions in parts of continental Europe.

He urged Britons not to “lose focus” on observing social distancing rules as the country emerges from strict lockdown with the reopening of shops and pubs and the return to workplaces which he has encouraged from the start of August.

But the PM, who was not wearing a face-covering, appeared to breach his government’s own guidelines as he bumped elbows with police officers during a visit to North Yorkshire Police HQ in Northallerton. The “one metre-plus” guidance issued last month states that people should maintain two metres distance from those outside their household at all times, reduced to one metre if they are taking steps to mitigate the risk of spreading the disease, such as wearing a mask. It applies even to those who, like the PM, have already recovered from a Covid infection.

Speaking during his visit to North Yorkshire, Mr Johnson said: “Clearly this country has had a massive success now in reducing the numbers of those tragic deaths.

“We’ve got it at the moment under some measure of control. The numbers of deaths are well, well down.

“But I have to tell you that we’re looking at a resurgence of the virus in some other European countries. You can see what’s been happening in the United States.”

Mr Johnson said that “great progress” is being made in treating coronavirus with drugs like dexamethasone and remdesivir.

But he added: “Broadly speaking, the only way to control coronavirus is if everybody collectively obeys the social distancing rules and works together to drive the virus down.

“So that’s why I make this point that I do – we’ve done a huge amount. Together we’ve really reduced the incidence of the virus and we’ve got the number of deaths down.

“But it can come up again, and we’ve seen what is happening in other European countries, so what I’m saying to people is don’t lose focus, don’t lose discipline, continue to observe those guidelines and if you have symptoms, get a test.”

Ms Rayner responded: “This PM has absolutely no shame and is becoming increasingly delusional. He should show some humility.

“His government has handled the coronavirus epidemic very poorly and let so many people down, now turning to blame Europe for our appalling record.”

Warning that the UK was not “out of the woods” in the coronavirus crisis, Mr Johnson named Kirklees, Ashford and Leicester as among “between 10 and 30” areas of the UK where spikes of infections have been seen since the easing of lockdown.

But despite concerns about a second wave of coronavirus and the reintroduction of quarantine on holiday-makers returning from Spain, he encouraged families to travel within the UK for summer breaks.

Mr Johnson said he was “very, very keen” to support the UK tourist industry and said: “I am not going to discourage anybody from having a staycation. There are fantastic beaches, resorts, holiday destinations of all kinds and I thoroughly recommend them.”

Source: UK Politics - www.independent.co.uk