Copyright: PA Media
With each passing day, it becomes increasingly clear that the UK is winning its fight against Covid. Science, as Boris Johnson said, is on the rise.
It is easy to forget that this virus only appeared a little over a year ago.
But now the UK has approved three vaccines for use – two of which have already started to roll out quickly. Two more are being evaluated by the regulator after promising test results.
There is confidence that mutations, although challenging, can be overcome. Plans are already being made to update vaccines, if necessary, to work better against new variants.
No vaccine is 100% effective and some people may decide not to get it. That is why advances in treatment are also vital.
A cheap steroid, dexamethasone, is being used widely to improve survival rates for the most ill patients. And last week, an arthritis drug, tocilizumab, appeared that could also improve the chances of survival even more.
There is still a long way to go, but there is a cautious belief in Westminster and among scientists that every step taken from now on should be forward, not back.