Updated Information from Government throws Christmas Plans into Turmoil
I am sorry to report that the situation has deteriorated since I last spoke to you three days ago. Yesterday afternoon, I was briefed on the latest data showing the virus spreading more rapidly in London, the South East and the East of England than would be expected given the tough restrictions which are already in place.
I also received an explanation for why the virus is spreading more rapidly in these areas. It appears this spread is now being driven by the new variant of the virus, which we first learned about earlier this week. Our advisory group on New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats – NERVTAG – has spent the last few days analysing the new variant. There is no evidence the variant causes more severe illness or higher mortality, but it does appear to be passed on significantly more easily.
NERVTAG’s early analysis suggests the new variant could increase R by 0.4 or greater. Although there is considerable uncertainty, it may be up to 70% more transmissible than the old variant. This is early data. It is subject to review. It is the best we have at the moment, and we have to act on information as we have it because this is now spreading very fast. The U.K. has by far the best genomic sequencing ability in the world, which means we are better able to identify new strains like this than any other country.
New Vocabulary Created by a Pandemic
On the 12th March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Europe’s Standing Committee of the Regional Committee met. Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, briefed the group on the rapid escalation of COVID-19 in the WHO European Region, now placing it at the centre of this pandemic.
As of the morning of 12 March, there were more than 20 000 confirmed cases and there were almost 1000 deaths in the European Region. The meeting followed the announcement that COVID-19 would be characterised as a “Pandemic”. Pandemic differs to an Epidemic because whilst an Epidemic is a disease that affects a large number of people within a community, population, or region, a Pandemic an epidemic that’s spread over multiple countries or continents. Hence our familiarity with this word.
Do Not Compromise on Health - Coronavirus Guidance
We are grateful to clients who are calling the advice line to share their experiences so that other letting agents and property managers can be made aware of the situations that they may have to deal with.
Scenario - a property where the Gas Safety is due. This was scheduled to be carried out today, however the tenant in question has contacted the letting agent to advise that they are self-isolating as they have been in contact with someone who is being tested for the Coronavirus.
Preparedness to avoid creating Panic
Letting Agents have always been capable of dealing with challenges - change management is part of their psyche. However, as the outbreak of the Coronavirus begins to be more prevalent, agents are putting procedures into place the guidance provided by Public Health England. No one, even the specialists are sure of how this situation will unravel. Larger organisations have already rolled out their plans, small to medium enterprises should follow suit.