Over the last week the Coronavirus pandemic has developed at pace with the numbers of those who have contracted the virus and died from it sadly rising. The epicentre of the outbreak remains London and other major urban centres like Birmingham. Currently, the number of cases in Cornwall remains lower but the numbers will continue to rise over the next few weeks. The NHS have been planning and preparing for the challenge ahead. We each have a part to play by staying at home where possible and reducing our contact with others to protect the NHS and help to save lives.
Last weekend, the Government announced the establishment of strategic coordination centres across the whole country which will bring together senior members of the emergency services with local authorities and the NHS to lead communities through this period. This will help to coordinate a local response.
From Cornwall to Cumbria they are ensuring that frontline people have the right protective equipment. As hospitals prepare their response across the country there has been a huge surge in demand for masks and other protective equipment. The National Supply Distribution Response Team have now delivered 170million masks, 42.8million gloves, 13.7million aprons, 182,000 gowns, almost 10million items of cleaning equipment, and 2.3million pairs of eye protectors, all to 58,000 NHS Trusts including GP surgeries and pharmacies. Every single GP practice, dental practice and community pharmacy has had a PPE delivery. All care homes, hospices and home care providers have or will shortly receive a delivery, and the Government will not stop until it has got people the equipment they need.
There has also been an amazing response in other ways and this crisis has shown our country at its best as it responds quickly. British manufacturers like Dyson and JCB are working together to develop and manufacture a big increase in the number of ventilators. We have built several huge new Nightingale Hospitals at places like the Excel exhibition centre in London to increase our hospital bed capacity. Food producers have pulled out all the stops to help good food to people’s homes and help those who are vulnerable top and unable to go out and there has been an explosion of offers from volunteers with a government call for volunteers leading to 750,000 people stepping forward to help.
Locally I wanted to assure you that I and my team have been working hard to answer all your questions and concerns that you may have amid the ongoing pandemic. Whilst we are receiving a large volume of correspondence we will always help you the best that we can.
At times like this it is important that we all look out for one another. Cornwall has always had a great ability to pull together as a community so play your part. Remember to pick up the phone to family and friends and offer to help elderly neighbours who may want you to assist with their shopping. We have some very difficult weeks ahead but it can also bring our the best in our communities.
