Coronavirus: Health bosses and politicians support government lockdown measures but understand worry from families and businesses

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab officially revealed the extension at the daily Downing Street briefing last night and added that relaxing rules now could cause a ‘second peak’ of coronavirus which would risk increasing deaths ‘substantially’.

Queen Alexandra Hospital medical director, Dr John Knighton, told The News that social distancing measures are ‘making a difference’ in slowing the virus to help staff cope.

The hospital in Cosham has seen 136 patients die with Covid-19. Positive cases in the Portsmouth City Council area stand at 200 as of Thursday, April 16 – up from 193 the day before.

The number of cases in Hampshire is 2,359 – although this cannot be broken down further into individual areas.

Dr Knighton said: ‘It really is making a difference to the rate of transmission of Covid illness in our population and as such it is helping the NHS locally to cope with demand so please do listen to the government advice to stay at home, to protect the NHS and save lives.’

Politicians across the area have praised their constituents who are following the government’s social distancing guidelines and have highlitghted the pressures many individuals, families and businesses are currently facing.

Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said: ‘Portsmouth people have shown tremendous resolve by staying home to protect the NHS and to save lives. It is absolutely the right decision for the lockdown to be extended today for a further three weeks.

‘The silent pressure on families and communities cannot be underestimated. To maintain hope, the government must be very clear with the British public what we can expect next. Across the country people are making huge sacrifices. Many will be struggling with their health and mental health, heightened concerns about making ends meet, or extended periods of separation from their loved ones.

‘For now, my message to everyone in our city is simple. Stay home. Safe lives.’

Mr Raab explained during the government daily briefing that restrictions would only be lifted if the government sees in five areas including the NHS having the ability to cope with the outbreak, a 'sustained and consistent' fall in daily death rates, reliable data showing a decrease in the rate of infection, enough testing kits and PPE and that any change to measures would not cause a second peak of the virus which the NHS would not be able to cope with.

Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt said: ‘I know how much people want the social distancing measures to be relaxed. Businesses are under huge pressure and become more fragile with every day they can’t trade. Children are out of school. People are feeling stressed and isolated. There are huge financial worries and understandably people want to know when this will be over.

‘The advice is that for the economy’s sake, to ensure we don’t have a second and unmanageable break out of COVID and to save lives we need to continue the current measures. It is hard and it hurts. But it has to be done. We will come through this and we will work round the clock to support people through this.’

Havant MP Alan Mak added: ‘Staying at home to protect the NHS and save lives is the right approach and has been widely observed throughout the Havant Constituency.

‘It’s right that the Government keeps lockdown arrangements under review, and let’s continue thanking our inspirational NHS staff and other frontline workers.’