03-16-2023, 07:33 PM
The Liberal Party notes with grave concern at the announcement by the Office of National Statistic(ONS) that the Covid-19 infection Survey(CIS) is to be effectively terminated at the end of March 2023.
A national survey which in the ONS’ own words “has shaped the response to the pandemic and made a great difference to our understanding of COVID-19” is officially being paused whilst “the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are reviewing their approach to COVID-19 surveillance” according to an e-mail to survey volunteers.
This decision will abruptly return the UK to the position it found itself in prior to the start of the Covid pandemic in 2020 with no infectious disease surveillance, no assurance the Government has an updated contingency plan, and with an NHS now in deep crisis.
The party believes that the demands of public health and the ongoing presence of Covid-19 in the wider community make it imperative that a minimum of testing and public disclosure continues to be funded.
A national survey which in the ONS’ own words “has shaped the response to the pandemic and made a great difference to our understanding of COVID-19” is officially being paused whilst “the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are reviewing their approach to COVID-19 surveillance” according to an e-mail to survey volunteers.
This decision will abruptly return the UK to the position it found itself in prior to the start of the Covid pandemic in 2020 with no infectious disease surveillance, no assurance the Government has an updated contingency plan, and with an NHS now in deep crisis.
The party believes that the demands of public health and the ongoing presence of Covid-19 in the wider community make it imperative that a minimum of testing and public disclosure continues to be funded.