A LEADING Bradford doctor insists ‘we will find a way out’ of the coronavirus crisis, despite patient numbers with the virus in the city hospital being above its Easter peak.

Professor John Wright public health doctor and Director of the Bradford Institute of Health Research at the BRI, and Bradford Council Leader, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, held a public video conference call today where they answered questions on Bradford’s response to the covid crisis.

The hour-long meeting covered a host of Covid-related topics including testing, the development of a vaccine and the impact of lockdown 2.

Prof Wright accepted everyone in the city is ‘weary and fatigued’ about the pandemic, but offered a ray of light about the future.

He said: “I am confident we will find ways with public health measures and vaccines to get us out of this in the next few months.

We will find a way out of this and it won’t be much longer. There is a message of hope here

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Prof Wright revealed there are currently 150 covid patient numbers in hospital in Bradford. which is 40 per cent higher than its previous peak of 110 patients over the Easter weekend, two weeks after the first lockdown was imposed.

He said: “Our hospital is completely full. The first time out, we did clear out the hospital. We became a covid hospital. We have to balance out the work now.

“Everybody in the city is weary and fatigued. Staff are struggling. A lot of staff in the hospital have had covid.

“We are a bit fed up. We’ve got to make sure our hospitals don’t get overwhelmed.”

Cllr Hinchcliffe urged people not to share what she branded ‘fake news’ about Covid on social media.

Testing has to be part of our everyday life now, added the council leader.

Meanwhile, she says we do not know whether we will be able to spend Christmas with more people this year. She said Divali celebrations, scheduled for later this month, have been ‘damaged’ this year as well, as have other faith festivals such as Eid.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Cllr Hinchcliffe confirmed Bradford Council have not had any further correspondence with national government since the lockdown 2 announcement was made on Halloween.

She added: “We have to be open with people and bring people along with us.

“It’s up to each and every one of us to step up and follow the regulations and think how can I keep myself and everyone else safe.

“It helps us all if we can stay isolated at home. We’ve got to try to get people to self-isolate.

People from West Yorkshire have been hugely patient at this time

Prof Wright also looked towards the future, despite the challenges of the winter months ahead.

He said: “We have a great chance to get a safe and effective vaccine.

“The vaccine is what everybody has their hopes pinned on. It could be the next few weeks and months for possible results of this.

“The testing is getting better, cheaper and more effective and we’re optimistic about that.

“It was nice for Chris Whitty to congratulate Bradford the other week for its response to Covid in a national press conference. Our communities have really pulled together.

“Local test and trace is really important as it is people from your area, who know the area.

Cllr Hinchcliffe said: “This 28 days is a good opportunity to make the infection rate go down.

“People should not be inhibited about getting a test.”