Covid-19: Derry doc warns of ‘second, bigger rise’

Dr Tom Black, who has been working on the frontline in the fight against coronavirus, says that, as we emerge from the “worst of the first phase... the fear of a second, bigger rise in the number of cases is never very far away.”

Dr Black, who is chairman of the British Medical Association in NI, says it is vital that the next phase of “un-lockdown” happens in a controlled way.

“The next 100 days must see everyone being sensible and taking personal responsibility for their actions,” he added.

“We know that, for many, being at home has been challenging and many are looking forward to seeing friends and family but it will still be vital that people maintain social distancing as much as possible and use a face covering if it is not possible to maintain distance; that they wash their hands frequently and if they feel at all unwell they stay at home.

“As a health service, we are now looking at how we rebuild. We want to harness the energy and the agility of what we did during lockdown to build a better health system, one that can address our waiting lists but that can also be ready for action if the disease starts to spread again.”