The lockdown hasn’t been easy on mental health, the Chief Minister acknowledged.

Howard Quayle spoke about the harm a prolonged lockdown will cause when he addressed a press briefing yesterday (Wednesday).

He recognised a balance had to be struck between restrictions put in place to suppress coronavirus and save lives and community’s longer-term impact on physical and mental health.

Mr Quayle said: ’While the restrictions have without doubt saved lives, they have also without doubt had a detrimental impact on some of our people’s mental health and well-being.

’Lockdown has not been easy on mental health. It affects our moods, our thoughts, our fears, our confidence, our hopes for the future.’

He said it was essential that decisions on the next steps to easy or maintain restrictions took into account the wider health of the population.

Asked about the impact of young people, Health Minister David Ashford said: ’It is a concerning time for children, particularly young children. They can’t understand why they can’t see their friends or even members of their family. It’s something we need address.’

There has been one further confirmed positive test for coronavirus, taking the total number to 327.

In total there are 41 active cases in the community and hospital. There have been 17 deaths in the community and six in hospital, most being residents from the Abbotswood nursing home.

Mr Ashford said the situation at Abbotswood appears to have stabilised, with the last confirmed case at the home on Sunday (May 3) and seven residents have now recovered.

He said: ’Staff, existing and DHSC, have been working together exceptionally hard to combat the outbreak in the home.’