The UK took action too late during COVID-19 pandemic’s first wave, its top medical officer says

By SYLVIA HUI
Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — The U.K.’s chief medical adviser has told a public inquiry that Britain’s government was too late in taking action against the coronavirus during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020. Chris Whitty said he had been concerned in particular about longer-term impacts of lockdown and other measures on the poorest people and those living alone. He described the difficulties in balancing the risks of introducing measures “too early” or “too late.” He added “there were no good options.” The U.K. has one of the highest COVID-19 death tolls in Europe, with the virus recorded as a cause of death for more than 232,000 people.