11 Facts About Exercise Cygnus

Exercise Cygnus was a three-day simulation exercise carried out by the UK Government in October 2016 to estimate the impact of a hypothetical H2N2 influenza pandemic on the United Kingdom.

Exercise Cygnus revealed the need to develop a "Pandemic Concept of Operations" to bridge communication between organisations.

Exercise Cygnus was centred around assumptions of public responses that have yet to be validated.

For example, Exercise Cygnus did not involve live broadcasting or widespread coverage which typically characterises an actual pandemic.

Exercise Cygnus previously raised concerns for the lack of medical resources, specifically ventilators and hospital beds.

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In March 2020, according to The Sunday Times, Downing Street officials found follow-up planning from Exercise Cygnus lacking, with one stating that it "never went into the operational detail".

In November 2020, Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron submitted a written question to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care asking whether the full findings of Exercise Cygnus will be published; no immediate answer was forthcoming.

An explanation given was that Exercise Cygnus was based on a curable influenza, whereas treatment for COVID-19 is still unavailable.

In November 2020, the Department of Health and Social Care website stated that findings from Exercise Cygnus, coupled with suggestions from scientific experts, have incorporated in the United Kingdom response to COVID-19.

Exercise Cygnus led to the development of a pandemic influenza draft legislation "Pandemic Influenza Draft Bill", a collaboration by Civil Contingencies Secretariat, Department of Health and Social Care and Devolved Administrations.

Legislation easements drawn from Exercise Cygnus include emergency recruitment and registration of retired healthcare professionals and protection against clinical negligence action for health workers.