Health

‘Extraordinary omission’: key findings in scathing UK Covid report

The joint report by the Commons health and science committees on lessons to be learned from the UK’s response to Covid spans 150 pages and is divided into six themes. Here are the main findings from each.

Planning for a pandemic

The section on preparedness draws on concerns highlighted as far back as May 2020 and finds that the UK was confident of the extent of its pandemic planning despite most of it being “too narrowly and inflexibly” based on the idea of a flu-type outbreak.

The planning did not properly consider asymptomatic transmission or take into account earlier outbreaks that failed to reach pandemic level, such as the Sars virus affecting east Asian countries in 2002-04, or the Mers virus first identified in the Middle East in 2012, the report found.

Detailing various government exercises about hypothetical pandemics, it said an “over-reliance on pandemic influenza as the most important infectious disease threat clearly had consequences – it meant that the emphasis of detailed preparations was for what turned out to be the wrong type of disease”.

Perhaps the most vivid piece of evidence in this section came from Dame Sally Davies, England’s former chief medical officer, who blamed what she called “groupthink”. The report quoted her as saying: “Our infectious disease experts really did not believe that Sars, or another Sars, would get from Asia to us. It is a form of British exceptionalism.”

Lockdowns and their timing

Among the most fractious debates in the response to coronavirus has been over the timing of England’s lockdowns, both when the first one was imposed in March 2020 and apparent delays in putting in place another in the autumn and winter of that year.

On the first lockdown, the report is clear and condemnatory: factors including a lack of testing capacity and doubts over whether British people would accept a lockdown prompted scientists and politicians to adopt a “policy approach of fatalism”, which would seek to manage but not suppress the extent of an outbreak. While this was not an active decision to seek so-called herd immunity, it amounted to this in effect, the report said.

Following what the committees called “simultaneous epiphanies” by ministers and advisers about the catastrophic effects of this approach, a UK-wide lockdown was finally announced on 23 March. The report said: “It is now clear that this was the wrong policy, and that it led to a higher initial death toll than would have resulted from a more emphatic early policy.”

It adds, more damningly still: “As a result, decisions on lockdowns and social distancing during the early weeks of the pandemic – and the advice that led to them – rank as one of the most important public health failures the United Kingdom has ever experienced.”

The report was, however, more equivocal on whether the ministers should have imposed a “circuit breaker” lockdown in England in late October 2020, saying the emergence of the more transmissible Alpha, or Kent, variant could have prevented this being effective anyway, and that a circuit breaker in Wales did not prevent a winter lockdown.

Test, trace and isolate

The report’s most consistent and vehement condemnation came in this section, beginning with what it described as a hugely serious failure to even try to copy the rapid rollout of mass testing in places like South Korea.

Public Health England claimed to have studied and then rejected the South Korean approach but could provide no evidence for this, the report said, adding: “We must conclude that no formal evaluation took place, which amounts to an extraordinary and negligent omission.”

This meant testing in everywhere but hospitals was halted, and so new cases or contacts could not be tracked. “As a result the UK squandered a leading position in diagnostics and converted it into one of permanent crisis … The consequences of this initial failure were profound … For a country with a world-class expertise in data analysis, to face the biggest health crisis in 100 years with virtually no data to analyse was an almost unimaginable setback.”

While testing capacity was later increased hugely, the report noted that government rhetoric was still often notably more impressive that the reality. “Ministers began by promising the test and trace system would be ‘world-beating’ in May 2020 when the truth was that it was that it was a laggard,” it said of the system, which had a budget of £37bn.

The report also castigated the low numbers of people who complied with self-isolation rules, citing a lack of financial support and the continued requirement to self-isolate for 10 days, long after tests were freely available to show they did not have the virus. As well as the impact this delay had on the economy and people’s lives, the report said, “by providing a powerful disincentive to take a Covid test and to disclose all contacts, it seems likely that it will have also caused more infections and cost lives”.

Social care

More than 39,000 care home residents died with coronavirus between 10 April 2020 and 31 March 2021, with the report finding that ministers and the NHS “both failed adequately to recognise the significant risks to the social care sector at the beginning of the pandemic”.

The committees concludes: “The UK was not alone in suffering significant loss of life in care homes, but the tragic scale of loss was among the worst in Europe and could have been mitigated.”

Some of these failures were specific to the pandemic, the report said, including the decision to focus on freeing up NHS capacity and thus release many patients into care homes without Covid tests, and problems with a lack of personal protective equipment. Others, such as a shortage of staff and funding difficulties, were “illustrative of a longstanding failure to afford social care the same attention as the NHS”.

Wider health inequalities

The report stressed that “the experience of the Covid pandemic underlines the need for an urgent and long-term strategy to tackle health inequalities”, a point highlighted by politicians and experts during the pandemic.

It noted the particularly high toll of Covid on people from minority ethnic backgrounds and on people with learning disabilities. It said: “It is telling that the first 10 NHS staff to die from Covid-19 were from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, and evidence has since confirmed that the impact of Covid-19 on this section of the workforce has been significant.

“While the NHS has made progress in recent years, the experience of people from BAME groups during the pandemic has made it clear that inequalities persist.”

Vaccines

While the report gives recommendations on lessons to be learned from the development, procurement and distribution of vaccines, these were mainly based around other areas of government learning from it – particularly the flexibility and speed of the vaccines taskforce headed by Kate Bingham. The Covid vaccine programme overall, the report said, “has been one of the most successful and effective initiatives in the history of UK science and public administration”.

Health

WHO appoints Ihekweazu as ED Health Emergencies Programme

Nigerian epidemiologist, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu has been appointed as the Executive Director of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Health Emergencies Programme. This appointment marks a significant milestone, placing a Nigerian at the helm of WHO’s largest department responsible for coordinating global responses to health emergencies.

Prior to this role, Ihekweazu served as WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Health Emergency Intelligence and Surveillance Systems. He is also widely recognised for his transformative leadership as the founding Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), where he led the agency from 2016 to 2021, establishing it as one of Africa’s leading public health institutions.

In February 2025, Ihekweazu was appointed Acting Regional Director for WHO Africa, succeeding Dr. Matshidiso Moeti. His tenure during this transition period received commendations for his leadership until the nomination of Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi as the next Regional Director.

Ihekweazu’s appointment comes at a critical time as the world faces numerous health challenges, including emerging infectious diseases, the impacts of climate change, and strained health financing. His extensive background in public health and epidemiology is expected to bolster WHO’s capacity to respond effectively to global health emergencies.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare celebrated his appointment, describing it as a proud moment for Nigeria. Coordinating Minister Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate hailed Ihekweazu as ‘the right choice at the right time’, praising his bold and compassionate leadership as crucial for navigating the complexities of the global health landscape.

Ihekweazu succeeds Dr. Mike Ryan, who led the Health Emergencies Programme through critical events, including the COVID-19 pandemic. In his new role, Ihekweazu will oversee WHO’s preparedness, response, and mitigation efforts for global health emergencies, ensuring that the organization remains agile and effective in safeguarding public health.

His appointment is part of a broader leadership restructuring within WHO, aimed at enhancing its operational efficiency and responsiveness to global health challenges.

Ihekweazu’s career spans senior roles at the South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases, the UK’s Health Protection Agency, and Germany’s Robert Koch Institute. He holds a Master of Public Health from Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf, Germany, and is an alumnus of the European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training.

His leadership is anticipated to bring renewed focus to strengthening health systems, improving surveillance, and fostering international collaboration to address current and emerging health threats.

Ihekweazu’s appointment not only underscores his exceptional contributions to global health but also highlights Africa’s growing influence in shaping international health policy and governance.

Health

Bayelsa records 98% immunisation coverage

Bayelsa has recorded a 98 per cent coverage in the first round of the 2025 National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) programme conducted from the May 3 to May 6.

Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, deputy governor of the state, disclosed this during a meeting of the state’s taskforce on immunisation in Yenagoa on Wednesday.

He said that the government’s ultimate target was to achieve 100 per cent coverage in subsequent immunisation campaigns.

Ewhrudjakpo lauded the WHO, UNICEF, the Ministry of Health and other critical stakeholders for the feat achieved so far.

He, however, urged the partners not to rest on their oars as much still have to be done to achieve its target of 100 per cent immunization coverage.

He underscored the need for early preparations ahead of the second round of 2025 NIPDs scheduled for July.

The deputy governor assured the partners that funds for the programme would be released not later than two weeks to its commencement.

He directed all council chairmen to flag-off the second round of the 2025 NIPDs programme at any community other than their respective local government headquarters.

The deputy governor urged the chairmen to meet with the traditional rulers, school proprietors, and religious leaders in their areas to sensitise them on the importance of immunisation.

He also called parents, schools and churches to allow children to participate in the immunisation programme.

”The state government is serious about enforcing its public health law and executive order on compulsory immunisation.

“We have taken our immunisation coverage up to 98 per cent. But we want to take it to 100 per cent this time around, and that is why we have convened this meeting.

“We are also going to make an upward review of the logistics to reflect the present economic realities in the country,” he said.

Presentations by Dr Marcus Oluwadare of the WHO, and Dr Gbanaibulou Orukari, Director of Disease Control, Bayelsa State Primary Healthcare Board, revealed that area councils scored high percentage in the coverage.

They, however, identified poor workload rationalisation, data falsification and lack of commitment on the part of some personnel.

According to Oluwadare, we commend the Deputy Governor of the state for flagging off the NIPDs and chairing all the state ERMs in spite of his tight schedule.

“Bayelsa State was the only state to have full complements of her stakeholders in attendance during the April NIPDs in the whole of Nigeria,” he said.

Health

NCDC records 832 Lassa fever, Mpox cases, 135 deaths

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed the country has recorded 832 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and Mpox.

Speaking during a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, the agency’s Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, revealed that 132 fatalities were recorded from Lassa fever and three from Mpox.

While acknowledging a recent decline in Lassa fever infections during epidemiological week 16 (ending April 20, 2025), he warned that the overall risk remains high, particularly in endemic regions.

“Cumulatively, as of week 16, Nigeria has reported 4,253 suspected cases of Lassa fever, 696 confirmed cases, and 132 deaths, resulting in a case fatality rate of 19.0 percent,” he stated.

Dr. Idris attributed recent improvements to intensified surveillance, treatment efforts, and enhanced community engagement. He emphasized, however, the continued need for vigilance and collaboration to sustain progress.

Regarding Mpox, the NCDC boss disclosed that three deaths have been recorded in 2025—two in Abia and Ebonyi States in week 10, and one recently in Rivers State involving a patient co-infected with HIV and tuberculosis. As of week 16, 723 suspected cases and 136 laboratory-confirmed cases of Mpox have been reported across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The national case fatality rate currently stands at 2.2 per cent.

“The epidemic curve reveals multiple peaks in Mpox cases, indicating ongoing transmission. While most states have reported suspected cases, confirmed infections are heavily concentrated in Nigeria’s southern and central regions,” Dr. Idris noted.

To address these outbreaks, the NCDC has activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), deployed National Rapid Response Teams to affected states, and prepositioned essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment and laboratory consumables. Five additional Mpox diagnostic laboratories have also been optimized in Bauchi, Kano, Cross River, Rivers, and Enugu States.

“Healthcare workers are undergoing specialized training in infection prevention, case management, and cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) care. Community outreach is being reinforced through public awareness campaigns, media engagement, and targeted health communication strategies,” he added.

On cerebrospinal meningitis, Dr. Idris reported a consistent decline in new cases and fatalities over the last three weeks.

He attributed the improvement to effective vaccination, early treatment, and adaptive surveillance strategies tailored to real-time data.

“Although the situation remains serious, strong national and state-level coordination is showing positive results. The response will continue until full containment is achieved and states take full ownership of the CSM Incident Action Plan,” he said.

Dr. Idris also expressed concern about the rising Mpox trend since its reemergence in 2017, with significant spikes recorded between 2022 and 2024, positioning Nigeria among the most affected countries globally. He warned that underreporting and delayed data entry remain challenges that need urgent resolution to ensure accurate and timely outbreak response.

A national mortality review for the recent Mpox deaths is being planned to further assess response effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

The NCDC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health through timely surveillance, transparent reporting, and coordinated national response mechanisms aimed at reducing disease burden and preventing future outbreaks.