Great Britain must “learn to live” with Covid, says the new health minister

Sajid Javid, the UK’s new health minister, said in an optimistic statement to MPs on Monday confirming the government’s plan to return England to economic normality on July 19.

In a sharp break with the tone of his predecessor Matt Hancock’s tone, Javid endorsed the views of many Conservative ministers who believe it is time to take caution and reopen the country.

“No date we choose is risk-free for Covid,” he said in his first statement by the House of Commons since returning to the cabinet on Saturday. “We cannot get rid of it, we have to learn to live with it,” he added.

Hancock has been viewed by some Tory MPs as being too cautious in his approach to lockdown restrictions, while Javid, a right-wing Conservative Party member, appeared to equate economic well-being with health problems.

“My job is to give back the economic and cultural life that makes this country so great while protecting life and our NHS,” he said.

Javid stated that the Covid-19 vaccination data is going in the right direction and that the definitive coronavirus restrictions in England will be lifted soon: “We see no reason to go beyond July 19,” he told the House of Commons.

Despite a surge in the number of cases of the delta variant of coronavirus first identified in India, Javid said vaccine uptake was “sky high” and that two-thirds of adults had received both vaccinations by July 19.

Javid said lifting restrictions on large gatherings and opening certain stores, including nightclubs, was a final and “irreversible” step.

According to the latest government data, the UK reported 22,868 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours on Monday, the highest number since January, reflecting the spread of the Delta variant.

Three more deaths from the coronavirus have been reported while 1,505 people were hospitalized with Covid-19.

The surge in coronavirus cases is causing major disruption to schools in England as more and more students are sent home to self-isolate after some children test positive for Covid-19. Education Department figures for the week ending June 19 showed 214,000 children out of school and self-isolating, with an additional 9,000 testing positive at home.

Javid acknowledged the surge in cases, adding that while the death toll remained low “luckily”, hospital admissions had increased, particularly in the north-east and south-west of England.

The vaccination program has been accelerated in the last few weeks leading up to its scheduled reopening on July 19, as the government intends to offer all over 18s their first dose.

Occupational health spokesman Jon Ashworth urged Javid to explain how the government would reduce infections.

“I want to see an end to the restrictions, our voters want an end to the restrictions,” said Ashworth. “But I hope that his confidence today about July 19th does not turn out to be a little hasty or even, I dare say, arrogant.”

Health leaders urged Javid to be cautious about lifting restrictions, warning that hospital stays across the country remain a concern.

“Covid is the most pressing problem,” Matthew Taylor, chairman of the board of the NHS Confederation, which represents health organizations, told the BBC. “[Javid] must be a voice of caution in the Cabinet in the face of potential pressures in healthcare. ”

Javid announced that funding negotiations with Chancellor Rishi Sunak are likely to be painful and promised a “fair wage settlement” for NHS workers.

Regarding welfare reform in England, including funding, Javid said a “long-term, sustainable solution” was needed, adding, “The government is absolutely committed to that.”