Gaping inequalities in Britain have exacerbated the crisis. When will the government fix that?

Editorial: It is becoming apparent that some groups in society are affected more than others, and that is an additional cause of distress and concern

The 11 local authority areas with the highest mortality rates were all in London (Getty)

Some 122,347 coronavirus tests were conducted on the last day of April. The news on the long-awaited – and long-overdue – “ramping-up” of testing for Covid-19 is clearly encouraging. However, there is obviously much more to do before the government can unlock the lockdown and to protect the vulnerable. No one disputes that there is still much about this pandemic, and our response to it, that is deeply disquieting.

The coronavirus, we’re constantly told, “does not discriminate”. After all, it has even invaded the prime minister and the Prince of Wales. It is true, indeed, that as a sub-microscopic entity with no discernible prejudicial opinions, that is how it would be expected to behave (although older men seem more susceptible).

However, it is becoming apparent that some groups in society are affected more than others, and that is an additional cause of distress and concern.