Virus update shows urgent need to improve support
Responding to the update from the UK Government that there is some evidence that the new Covid-19 variant may be associated with a higher degree of mortality, Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell, a member of the Scottish Parliament’s COVID-19 Committee, said:
“The news that the UK variant is both more transmissible and that it may result in a higher degree of mortality is extremely concerning and shows why governments must respond to the pandemic with the utmost caution.
“There is still considerable concern about the lack of support for people to self-isolate, an issue which must now be urgently re-examined in light of this latest news. The support many people need just isn’t there and far too often that means people feel that they can’t self-isolate. It’s not good enough just to chuck £500 at people and hope everything will be ok. If we are serious about bringing this virus under control people need to be provided with wraparound care that meets all their needs.”