It’s normal to want to be a part of your child’s academic life so you can help them excel. However, you can’t be there for every moment, including test days. With exam season coming up, stress levels will rise, so here is a helpful post from Marie Miguel, researcher and health writer at Better Help - where you can find a whole library of FREE advice to support your children's mental health. 

Though you can’t help them during the test, there are some things you can do to help them prepare. Read on for some test prep tips that will help your kids excel. And when you’re finished reading this article, head over to BetterHelp to get more advice on tests and other parenting subjects. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 9th and 10th October 2021

There are no new cases or losses of life for Wales today, because they accidentally added the whole weekend's new cases and losses of life to Friday's numbers, but too late for it to be reported - which really makes a farce of the whole thing.

UK Random Daily Statistics:
Cases: 8,154,306 (+34,574)
In Hospital on Thursday 7th: 6,763
Using A Ventilator on Thursday 7th: 808
Losses of Life: 137,735 (+38)
Tests: 962,225
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 49,158,835 (85.5% of UK Population aged 12+)
Vaccinations 2 Doses: 45,168,344 (78.5%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 401,773 cases and 5,280 losses of life

World: 238,538,845 reported cases and 4,865,522 losses of life

"There has been no update to data from Wales today.
Cases and deaths within 28 days of positive test that would normally have been reported today were included in the update on Friday 8 October 2021, which was delayed because of network issues at Public Health Wales."
Wait, wait, what? You really typed that on the Government website? So, the 'daily stats' are at least 3 days out of date. Great, I can't wait to find out how many new cases we had last Friday.
To be fair we did always know the Government were a day or two ahead, but I wish they'd stop treating us like babies. Just give us the real figures each day. Go on.... if you can do it by accident, you can manage it by trying...
The Welsh 'interactive dashboard' hasn't been updated since 4th October. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 10th September 2021

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 7,168,806 (+37,622)
In Hospital on Wednesday 9th: 8,098
Using A Ventilator on Wednesday 9th: 1,060
Losses of Life: 133,988 (+147)
Tests: 1,241,334
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 48,370,340 (89% of UK aged 16+)
Vaccinations Fully Vaxxed: 43,805,608 (80.6%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 362,228 cases and 5,155 losses of life.

World: 224,269,097 reported cases and 4,624,307 losses of life.

The UK's JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) are due to make a final decision on Booster Jabs any day now.
Although the UK seems to be swimming in vaccines, we are limited. We have to ensure we have enough for everyone who is entitled, and it has to be fair.
We recently signed a deal for 35m Pfizer, which could offer boosters in a different flavour to everyone over 50, or vaccinate schoolchildren, and boosters for more vulnerable people could be AstraZeneca. These sort of decisions go on behind closed doors all the time - which is exactly why the independent SAGE collective started - they wanted to discuss options and plans openly in front of the public. Don't forget the indieSAGE group contains members of the UK Government's actual SAGE panel. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 23rd July 2021

The UK added 36,389 cases today and now has reported a total of 5,637,975 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,013,261 tests yesterday.

The counter says 46,476,845 people (87.9% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 36,762,646 people (69.5% of UK adults) had received 2 doses and will be fully vaccinated 14 days after the second dose.

5,001 people were in hospital yesterday Thursday 22nd (up from 3,964 a week earlier), with 699 using a ventilator (up from 551 a week earlier).

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 64 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 129,044 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 290,525 (+1,386) cases and 5,026 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 193,701,849 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,156,111. Already 175,919,238 people have recovered.

“I think the word irreversible about anything is probably best not used.”
NHS England head Sir Simon Stevens (in today's Financial Times).

"North East and Yorkshire becomes the first of seven regions in the English NHS to record over 1000 covid+ hospital patients. [It had 80 on 5 June]."
Alistair McLellan, Editor of the HSJ (Health Services Journal).

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 17th / 18th July 2021

The UK added 48,161 cases today and now has reported a total of 5,433,939 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,177,716 tests yesterday.

The counter says 46,295,853 people (87.9% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 35,970,849 people (68.3%) had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

People in hospital hasn't been updated since Thursday, when it was 3,964, with 551 using a ventilator.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 25 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 128,708 losses of life in all settings. (There is an error in the data for Scotland, which will be resolved in the next UK Gov update tomorrow.)

Rep. Of Ireland 284,510 (+1,179) cases and 5,018 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 191,070,294 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,103,007. Already 174,015,889 people have recovered.

"Every adult in the UK has now been offered their first dose of the vaccine. A phenomenal national effort.
Please come forward for your jab if you haven’t already - it protects you and your loved ones."
Sajid "very glad I got my vaccinations" Javid.

"At this point, you are either vaccinated or you are going to catch Delta.
And whether you are young adult or old, when you catch Delta unvaccinated, you will have the highest chance of being hospitalized compared to almost any disease you have caught in your life."
Professor Shane Crotty, La Jolla Institute for Immunology

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 16th July 2021

The UK added 51,870 cases today and now has reported a total of 5,332,371 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,177,716 tests yesterday.

The counter says 46,159,145 people (87.6% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 35,543,321 people (67.5%) had received 2 doses.

3,964 people were in hospital yesterday, with 551 using a ventilator.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 49 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 128,642 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 280,784 cases and 5,006 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 190,059,236 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,086,966. Already 173,305,971 people have recovered.

"More that at ANY time during the pandemic, I get the overwhelming sense that the UK is snatching defeat from the jaws of victory with the decision to move ahead with 19 July unlocking."
Alistair McLellan, Editor of the Health Services Journal.

“In New Zealand we've always looked to the UK for leadership.. it's why it just seems so remarkable you're not following even basic public health principles."
"We and my colleagues in NZ are quite astounded that that you're doing this"
 Professor Michael Baker, official advisor to the New Zealand government.

Oops. Heads up Boris, the world has spotted you now. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 2nd / 3rd July 2021

The UK added 27,125 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,855,169 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,121,678 tests yesterday.

The counter says 45,013,503 people (85.5% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 33,241,265 people (63.1% of UK adults) had received 2 doses.

1,795 people were in hospital with COVID on Wednesday 30th June, with 300 using a ventilator yesterday, 1st July.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 27 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 128,189 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 272,784 cases and 5,000 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 183,594,196 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,974,337. Already 168,034,808 people have recovered.

"The time for lofty words is over. There needs to be concerted action, backed by financial resources to mitigate the consequences of climate change, while we work to keep temperatures down and scale green innovations.
We are in a very dangerous period of this pandemic. In those countries with low vaccination coverage, terrible scenes of hospitals overflowing are again becoming the norm. But no country on Earth is out of the woods yet.
The Delta Variant is dangerous and is continuing to evolve and mutate.
Delta has been detected in at least 98 countries and is spreading quickly in countries with low and high vaccination coverage.
There are essentially two ways for countries to push back against the surge:
1. public health measures incl. surveillance, testing, physical distancing, masks, etc.
2. the world must equitably share protective gear, oxygen tests, treatments, and vaccines."
Dr Tedros, Head of the World Health Organisation.
He has asked that by September, 10% of people in every country are vaccinated, with a priority to health care workers. He also asks world leaders to work together so that by this time next year, 70% of people in every country are vaccinated. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 30th June / 1st July 2021

The UK added 27,989 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,828,463 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,251,696 tests yesterday.

The counter says 44,860,978 people (85.2% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 33,048,199 people (including me!!) had received 2 doses (62.7%).

1,795 people were in hospital yesterday, Wednesday 30th June, with 287 using a ventilator.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 22 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 128,162 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 271,931 cases and 4,989 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 183,193,215 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,966,093. Already 167,720,509 people have recovered.

The UK's Furlough Scheme starts winding down from today. This month employers have to contribute 10% of furloughed worker's pay. Next month that will rise to 20%. For any business who can't afford that, or for whom it's becoming obvious life "won't be the same as before", this will be the time hard decisions may have to be made. It'll take a couple of weeks before we see the true effect, and next month it will only be more pronounced.
Sorry to anyone to is in danger of losing their job or their business. Sorry to anyone who already has. 

If you follow me on Instagram then you may have noticed that we were sent a gorgeous Loungefly Star Wars Lands Naboo Backpack for my 11 year old to review. This is a full size backpack, which will fit an A4 folder and writing pad, and it's also incredibly good to look at... 

My 11 year old is off to high school in September, so he needs a cool bag that will carry his schoolwork, plus the books, pencil cases and other essentials any secondary pupil needs. He also needs it to be reliable and strong, and fairly weatherproof (this is Manchester).

Loungefly have a huge range of bags and backpacks featuring Disney characters, including all-time popular favourite here - Star Wars. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update Friday 25th June 2021.

The UK added 15,810 today and now has reported a total of 4,699,868 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,068,088 tests yesterday.

The counter says 43,877,861 people (83.3% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 32,085,916 people (60.9%) had received 2 doses.

1,485 people were in hospital on Wednesday 23rd, with 259 using a ventilator yesterday, 24th June.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 18 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 128,066 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 270,477 (+380) cases and 4,989 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 180,910,091 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,919,082. Already 165,531,010 people have recovered.

"The R range for England is 1.2 to 1.4 and the growth rate range for England is +3% to +5% per day as of 25 June 2021."
What this means is that, although cases are going up, the rate in which they're going up is staying fairly steady. It could be worse.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 12th / 13th June 2021.

The UK added 7,490 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,565,813 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 945,090 tests yesterday.

The counter says 41,551,201 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 29,792,658 people had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

1,089 people were in hospital on Thursday 10th, with 158 using a ventilator. As this information isn't updated over the weekend, we really can't gauge how it's going. Admissions have been rising steadily by around 10 per day average, to 187 on 8th June.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 8 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 127,904 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 266,819 (+315) cases and 4,941 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 176,590,986 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,816,480. Already 160,607,442 people have recovered.

"Thank you, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, for inviting me to join the G7 UK Summit. We're in the race of our lives, but it’s not a fair race, & most countries have barely left the starting line. We look to the G7 and G20 to ACTogether & lead the way towards VaccinEquity.
To truly end the COVID19 pandemic, our goal must be to vaccinate at least 70% of the world’s population by the time the G7 meets in Germany next year. To do that, we need 11 billion doses. We welcome the generous announcements made about donations of vaccines, but we need more & now."
Dr Tedros, Head of WHO, special guest at the G7 in Cornwall.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 7th / 8th June 2021.

The UK added 6,048 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,528,442 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 928,425 tests yesterday.

The counter says 40,573,517 people (77%) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 28,227,362 people (53.6%) had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

957 people were in hospital on Sunday 6th June, with 148 using a ventilator yesterday, 7th June.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 13 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 127,854 official losses of life in all settings.
Up until Friday 28th May, 152,289 people had COVID listed as a cause on their death certificate.

Rep. Of Ireland 264,826 cases and 4,941 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 174,567,089 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,756,585. Already 157,901,736 people have recovered.

"6 months.
68,800,879 doses given.
40,573,517 first jabs.
28,227,362 second jabs.
1000s of volunteers.
1 United Kingdom.
Let’s finish the job. Please keep coming forward to get vaccinated when it’s your turn."
Boris Johnson. UK PM. (My partner thinks he's having a dig at Scottish independence at every opportunity. As if.)

From today in England if you're aged 25 or over, or if you turn 25 before 1 July 2021, you can now book your COVID-19 vaccine.

Congratulations to the residents of Calderdale, specifically Todmorden, Park and Warley wards. You are today's winners of some extra surge testing and a doorstep visit from Test & Trace, along with the entire populations of Greater Manchester AND Lancashire.
If you're particularly lucky, members of the armed forces on surprise visits bearing gifts will ring your bell.

Surge Testing PLUS bonuses to try and protect against Delta Variant:
Bedford, Leicester (some areas), Hounslow, North Tyneside, Greater Manchester (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan), Lancashire (Burnley, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Pendle, Preston, Ribble Valley, Rossendale, South Ribble, West Lancashire, Wyre), Blackburn with Darwen, Yorkshire and the Humber, Kirklees

Regular Surge Testing Boroughs:
Brent (targeted areas), Ealing (targeted areas), Harrow (targeted areas), Hillingdon (targeted areas), Redbridge (targeted areas within IG1, IG6 , IG5 and IG7), Sefton (targeted in Formby, Sefton), Hampshire (targeted areas across Hart District, Rushmoor Borough and Surrey border), Reading (targeted areas), Wokingham (targeted areas), Nuneaton, Derbyshire (Gamesley Ward, High Peak), Yorkshire and the Humber, City of Bradford (targeted areas), Calderdale (targeted areas across Todmorden, Park and Warley)

Yesterday Matt Hancock said that out of 12,383 people confirmed to have Delta variant (B.1.617.2) in the UK up until June 3rd:
- 464 people went to emergency care.
- 126 have been admitted to hospital.
Out of the people hospitalised:
- 83 were unvaccinated
- 28 have had 1 dose of a vaccine
- 3 have had 2 doses
On the face of it, that's a low number of people going to A&E (just over 1 in 30), and a low number of people admitted to hospital (just under 1%).
These numbers are a bit skewed, because some Delta variant people without symptoms won't ever be spotted, and everyone going into hospital is far more likely to have their sample sequenced to see which variant it is - so the reality is actually better than those figures (although on the other side, some more of those people could still be admitted to hospital now, but it's likely to be a very small number). 
1/2 the UK population have had 2 vaccinations and 3/4 have had at least 1, so the vaccines are looking really good so far. That comes out at well over 90% effective. 

The Welsh Government have a really interesting report on Long COVID.
"‘Long-COVID’ is commonly used to describe signs and symptoms that continue or develop after acute COVID‑19. It includes both ‘ongoing symptomatic COVID‑19’ (from 4 to 12 weeks) and ‘post‑COVID‑19 syndrome’ (12 weeks or more)."
They found that "prevalence of at least one symptom for 12 weeks or more ranges from around 2% to 10% in community samples, to over 70% in people who have been hospitalised".
'Suspected COVID' can be listed as the cause, because so many people either weren't tested when they were ill, or didn't realise they actually had COVID.
They make the point that we really REALLY need to make sure we have facilities in place for children who are suffering. Long COVID occurs much less often in children, but because of the sheer volume, it's definitely not rare. Currently facilities and clinics are really aimed at adults. 

My local authority never dropped masks for secondary school pupils, due to our proximity to plague central, and all of Greater Manchester have just reintroduced twice weekly in-school lateral flow testing.
Delta Variant COVID loves a classroom, and quite frankly it's the least we can do for the staff - many of whom will have only had 1 vaccination (or none) at this point.
Overall the twice-weekly lateral-flow-testing-at-home had dropped to around half the level it was at originally, and this is a point indieSAGE made last Friday. We really need to keep on top of it, or complacency will catch us out.

UK singles will soon notice Government messaging on dating apps. as lots of the big names have partnered up to offer vaccinated people special stickers, super-likes and other bonuses.
A recent YouGov poll found that actually a lot of people have strong feelings about this, with 28% of people saying they wouldn't date someone unless they were vaccinated, and another 31% saying they'd prefer it. 

Last week a not-yet-peer-reviewed study was released regarding a South African woman with HIV, who had a very lengthy battle with COVID. She tested positive for a massive 216 days. During this time the virus mutated more than 30 times, including 13 mutations on the spike protein (these are the vaccine/antibody escape mutations).
COVID really isn't very stable, it is a bit rubbish at making copies of itself and has tons of errors and missing parts (mutations). This has generally not been in our favour. 

The UK's RECOVERY Trial has found that aspirin is not useful as a treatment to prevent blood clotting in hospitalised COVID patients. Darn shame. It was definitely worth the test because it does help prevent blood clots with some other conditions, but sadly not with COVID.
"For every 1000 patients treated with aspirin, approximately 6 more patients experienced a major bleeding event and approximately 6 fewer experienced a thromboembolic (clotting) event."
Scratch that one off the list. 

India has opened up vaccinations to anyone over 18, free of charge.
Although it's good in theory, you do need to be able to actually get a vaccination, and there are only so many they can do in a day. If you live in an area of India which is less affected, you may have to wait a few weeks or months before your turn.

The situation in India really does seem to have improved massively, with 86,498 cases reported yesterday, and any Oxygen shortages far less visible than before.
They are encountering some real issues with the Delta variant though, it seems to trigger a much wider range of symptoms than original wild COVID, and shortness of breath or a cough are less of a feature.
I've talked before about the Black Fungus affecting a number of people who are recovering. Some reports say over 28,000 people have been been diagnosed with it already. Now Indian medics are warning that they are finding more people with severe stomach pain, stomach upset, hearing loss, swollen necks, severe tonsillitis,  joint pain, and micro blood clots which cut off circulation, causing pain and even killing tiny parts of the patient. Sometimes amputation of a finger or toe is necessary, and a small number of patients have clots in the intestines, with a rare few of them developing 'gastric gangrene' (I can't word this nicely. Turning rotten inside). 

Going back to the Black Fungus, or Mucormycosis, problem in India. It appears during recovery from COVID, and first impressions were that it seemed to be linked to unnecessary use of steroids, and possibly high blood sugar levels was a feature, as it seemed to happen mostly to diabetic people who aren't in full control of their condition. A not-yet-peer-reviewed study has looked at 187 cases and they found this to be true.
Yesterday India revised their health guidance, and issued some fantastic easily understood advice sheets, stressing that antibiotics, anti-parasitics and others shouldn't be used, and there should only be CAREFUL use of steroids & Oxygen.
In any country where healthcare can be a bit of "nurse them yourselves" situation, when you are worried for someone's life, it's understandable people have been buying whatever they can and overdoing it. They just want to be able to help. 

The EU have agreed a common COVID travel pass, and several European countries have begun issuing them to residents already.
The 'EU Digital COVID Certificate', unlike the name suggests, can be either paper or digital, and will allow members restriction free travel across all 27 EU member states, plus some other countries. The certificate has information on if and when the bearer has been vaccinated, tested or has recovered from COVID-19.
EU residents can still travel without a certificate, it's not mandatory, it's there to speed things up. Likewise, having a certificate won't guarantee anyone entry anywhere. Any country can independently decide to change their entry rules at any time. And some no doubt will. 

The UK government has delayed the new NHS data-sharing scheme. They were going to share lots more of the data held by your GP with Public Health England, but it included a lot of things which are very private - sexual orientation, test results, mental health etc. You are allowed to 'opt out', but there were a lot of concerns that it hasn't been widely publicised, there isn't enough consultation with the public, and that it will erode patient trust, and also GP trust.
The project has been delayed for 2 months at the moment - so you've still time to make your own thoughts known. 

Armel hoch! Or "Arm up!" is the slogan in Germany, and they've brought out the big stars to promote it. None other than David Hasselhoff himself is in their latest government video - looking pretty much the same as he did in the early 80's, when his co-star was a talking car, or in the 90's when his co-star was Pamela Anderson.
Standing outside in the sunshine and with far too much energy for an early morning, he says:
"Arm up! That's right. I, David Hasselhoff, am supposedly a hero because of Knight Rider and Baywatch and the Berlin Wall, but I've found freedom with vaccination. You can too. Hoff off."
If that doesn't convince people, clearly nothing will... 

It was world food safety day yesterday. Almost half a million people in the world are killed by their dinner each year. Summer is coming, barbecues will be super popular. Don't take risks.
Keep food cool and fridge food in the fridge, until you are ready to eat or cook it.
Make sure it's cooked through to the middle. It's okay to start the cooking in the oven, and then transfer to the barbecue to cremate the outside.
Don't leave the coleslaw or mayonnaise in the sun all afternoon.
Help drunk you out, and clear the table before you hit the shandies. Midnight snacking on fresh food that's been sat out for hours won't help that morning tummy.
Just because we have COVID, doesn't mean everything else has taken a break. Make it a time to remember for the right reasons.

Today it is exactly 6 months since the world began vaccinating people against Covid-19. The first vaccination (that was not part of a trial) was the lovely Margaret Keenan in Coventry Hospital, England (and look at what she was wearing!).
Over 2 billion vaccine doses have now been administered around the world. As Matt Hancock said yesterday:
"Thank you to everyone involved in this mammoth effort."

Some numbers. All of them represent people:

Countries / Cases / Losses of life (since midnight GMT. In larger countries some states /provinces have yet to report today):

USA 34,228,559 (+1,322) 612,761 (+60) 

India 29,084,518 (+87,569) 353,380 (+2,036)

Brazil 16,985,812 not yet reported today 474,614

France 5,713,917 not yet reported today 110,062

Turkey 5,300,236 (+6,609) 48,341 (+86)

Russia 5,145,843 (+9,977) 124,496 (+379) 

UK 4,528,442 (+6,049) 127,854 (+13)

Italy 4,235,592 (+1,896) 126,690 (+102) 

Germany 3,710,931 (+590) 89,994 (+29)

Spain 3,707,523 not yet reported today 80,236

Iran 2,980,116 (+8,846) 81,362 (+179)

Poland 2,875,729 (+400)74,255 (+95)

Mexico 2,434,562 (+881) 228,838 (+34) 

Ukraine 2,216,654 (+1,602) 51,333 (+118)

.

.Edited to amend the maths regarding A&E visitd by people with Delta Variant in the UK

Sources:

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3136487/hearing-loss-organ-failure-fungus-gangrene-indias

https://twitter.com/tjt4002/status/1402165979807850497

Food safety: https://twitter.com/DrTedros/status/1401963607156461574?s=19

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-07/gangrene-hearing-loss-point-to-delta-variant-being-more-severe

https://www.recoverytrial.net/news/recovery-trial-finds-aspirin-does-not-improve-survival-for-patients-hospitalised-with-covid-19

https://www.krisp.org.za/publications.php?pubid=336

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/leading-dating-apps-partner-with-government-to-boost-vaccine-uptake

https://t.co/EaKUETUXVl

https://twitter.com/EricTopol/status/1401959006504034343?s=19

https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2021-03/technical-advisory-group-long-covid-what-do-we-know-and-what-do-we-need-to-know.pdf

https://twitter.com/i/events/1401873165626839040

https://twitter.com/BMG_Bund/status/1401932276598988809?s=19

"Everything you need to know about the EU's COVID travel pass" https://twitter.com/i/events/1401873165626839040?s=09

https://twitter.com/SebastianEPayne/status/1401914804512735234

https://twitter.com/ncarding/status/1402229770180562951

https://www.hsj.co.uk/technology-and-innovation/ministers-bow-to-nhs-pressure-to-delay-gp-data-scheme/7030250.article

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/surge-testing-for-new-coronavirus-covid-19-variants

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1402293853982449664

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/9/21-0934_article

Indian Gov new advice sheets - https://dghs.gov.in/WriteReadData/Orders/202105270435011364109ComprehensiveGuidelinesforManagementofCOVID-1927May2021DteGHS.pdf

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 4th June 2021.

The UK added 6,238 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,506,018 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 806,272 tests yesterday.

The counter says 39,949,694 people (75.8%) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 26,799,944 people (50.9%) had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

954 people were in hospital on Wednesday 2nd, with 134 using a ventilator yesterday, 3rd June.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 11 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 127,823 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 263,720 (+529) cases and 4,941 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 173,114,912 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,721,371. Already 155,865,907 people have recovered.

"It's not fine if kids get covid. Firstly, it isn't. Secondly, it can spread to other people, and thirdly it disrupts their education when they need to go home."
Christina Pagel, IndependentSAGE

“We’re certainly getting more data. Unfortunately, the news is not as positive as I would like in any respect about the Delta variant. The best estimate at the moment is this variant maybe 60% more transmissible than the Alpha (B.1.1.7 UK/Kent) Variant."
Professor Neil Ferguson of Imperial College on Radio 4 today.
If I tell you that's the best Delta Variant news of the day, you get the picture. 

29th March 2021 England COVID Briefing with Boris, Chris and Pat.

Cases: 4,337,696 (+4,654)
Losses of Life: 126,615 (+23)
Vaccination 1st Dose: 30,444,829
Vaccination 2nd Dose: 3,674,266
In Hospital: 4,560
Using a Ventilator: 615

It is 'next stage of the English roadmap' day, so a briefing was anticipated. We also have the news that we are expected to have deliveries of the Moderna vaccine next month.

Boris was in his shiny new million quid briefing room. It has 2 large Union flags, a bright blue wall, and slightly different coloured wooden podiums. 

Boris started by saying in England we are now allowed to meet - up to 6 people or 2 households OUTDOORS. Gorgeous day for it. Remember to still socially distance, protect each other.

Yesterday we recorded the lowest number of hospital admissions for 6 months.

The wave across the channel is still rising, and it's inevitable as we advance along the roadmap, that there will be more infections and more deaths. (That really isn't the message we're hoping for Boris.)

April will be the month of mainly second doses, but all adults will be offered at least 1 dose by the end of July.

The Novovax vaccine is going to be made at Fujifilm in the North East, and then bottled by Glaxosmithkline nearby. This should give us 50-60m doses of UK-made vaccine (subject to approval by the MHRA). He mentions no timeframe.

Boris reminds us to follow the rules - "Hands, face, space, and fresh air".

Chris Whitty does the slides. Everything is currently going down (except vaccinations obviously). He doesn't sound like Captain Confident. He's stuttery.
He compares slides showing numbers of cases and deaths across age groups. He stresses that the vaccinated people are those who would be most likely to die - the majority of any transmission now is among younger age groups who haven't yet been vaccinated.
He says, as we unlock, it is inevitable that there will be more cases. There has been a flattening and 'slight uptick' in cases among school age children. (I've got one here who's just had a test today.)
Patrick continues with more slides showing the difference vaccination is making. Far, far less vaccinated people have been hospitalised than would have been prior to vaccination.

Figures show how many people are hospitalised within 4 weeks, out of every 100,000 people, by age:

Age 25-34 - 7 unvaccinated / 1.4 vaccinated

Age 35-44 - 13.9 unvaccinated  /2.8 vaccinated

Age 45-54 - 21.2 unvaccinated / 4.2 vaccinated

Age 55-64 - 28.9 unvaccinated / 5.8 vaccinated

We are reminded that vaccines are never 100% effective. 

Public asked about travel abroad to see relatives. Boris says it's still illegal to leave the country except for essential reasons, but he will say more on April 5th.

Chris talked about COVID variants that 'might' have a problem with the vaccine - we don't want any of them. "That is the principle thing driving border concerns at this stage."

Public also expressed concern about 2nd doses - Boris says EVERYONE will get their 2nd dose.

Patrick explains we really need 3 weeks 'doing it' and a week to assess data before we can say exactly what effect something has had, so we will know better about the effect of schools reopening to all pupils by next week. It will be 4 weeks from today before we really know what effect this reopening has had.
Chris talks about how sensible people have been so far, and thinks the "uptick will be modest", but it's "not realistic" to think it won't happen. Pat adds that everyone has to remember it takes about 3 weeks before your vaccine takes full effect.
Chris adds that everyone has to get their 2nd dose for their best level of protection. 

Chris again with vaccines - they are never 100%. In some people a vaccine just won't work, or won't work as effectively. If we have a small surge then sadly a few people who have been vaccinated will still catch COVID and die. The bigger that surge is, the more people will be caught up and the more people will die. Pat adds we also have to protect against creating variants. We need to keep numbers low. 

Press ask about health and social care staff who haven't been vaccinated. The vast majority have. Chris says they should think about the risk to their own families, and ignore myths. Talk to reliable sources and medical people. Your risk from not being vaccinated is substantially greater than your risk from vaccination. He also feels that people who are caring for others have a professional responsibility to be vaccinated with all of their jabs, not just COVID, in order to protect vulnerable people at work. 

Boris mentions a wave spreading in from "the continent" a lot, despite the fact COVID cannot cross the channel unaided. He also uses the word 'caution' approximately 400 billionty times. It must be engraved inside his eyelids. Chris' word of the day is 'uptick'. That's a more friendly word for 'rise'. Chris mentions 2nd doses, and 'no vaccine is 100% effective' many times. Pat mentions the 3 week gap between vaccination and full protection many times. These are the important messages you would be tested on if this was a GCSE. What they didn't stress, even though there's been a government release, was the OUTDOORS bit. You can only meet outdoors - fresh air is a win.

Back with the usual report tomorrow. I hope your evening is as good as that of the Captain of Egypt's Suez Canal Tugboats... The Ever Given Container Ship was finally moved at high tide, and is currently pootling across the massive 'Bitter Lake' under it's own power. Bitter Lake is a good few miles North of where it was stuck, and it looks like ships are already lining up at the North end of the Suez ready to go as soon as they get the all-clear. There'll be a lot of happy people tonight...  No-one needed any shortages or rationing of anything just now... we've had a lucky break there. 

Sources:

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/healthcare

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-reminded-they-must-stay-outside-when-meeting-others-to-reduce-the-spread-of-coronavirus-covid-19

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-at-coronavirus-press-conference-29-march-2021

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 15th / 16th March 2021.

The UK added 5,294 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,268,821 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,573,774 tests yesterday.

The counter says 24,839,906 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 1,663,646 people had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

7,281 people were in hospital on Sunday 14th March (down from 9,418 a week earlier), with 1,016 using a ventilator yesterday, 15th March (down from 1,356 a week earlier).

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 110 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 125,690 losses of life in all settings. ONS figures up until Friday 5th March show 146,487 people had COVID listed as a cause on their death certificate.

Nation / Cases /Losses of life (until 5th March by death certificate):
England 3,736,240 / 125,276
Northern Ireland 115,181 / 2,838
Scotland 210,605 / 9,710
Wales 206,795 / 7,624

Rep. Of Ireland 227,316 cases and 4,534 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 121,020,477 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,676,327. Already 97,597,214 people have recovered.

“While we need to continue to be very closely monitoring this, we do not want people to panic. We would, for the time being recommend that countries continue vaccinating with AstraZeneca.”
Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, The World Health Organisation. 

Latest Public Health England figures are showing an increase in cases in 104 of the 315 logical authorities.
Before you panic, it is a little early for school transmission to make a difference, but these figures will reflect some of those secondary school students who were tested before they returned to in-person learning last week. It's not going to be very accurate until that settles, so next week may not look pretty either.  

So, today's big world news is still the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab, and mostly it's people running about like headless chickens in a panic over what to do.
People need to feel secure. They need to feel safe, and several countries have paused vaccinations while investigations take place. That is an easy decision if you have no COVID, but could prove really costly in places where infections are spiralling.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 27th / 28th February 2021.

The UK added 6,035 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,176,554 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 731,410 tests yesterday. 

The UK has now vaccinated over 20m people. The counter says 20,089,551 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 796,132 people had received 2 doses. 

14,808 people were in hospital on Thursday 25th, with 1,971 people using a ventilator on Friday 26th.

 In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 144 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 122,849 official losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 218,980 cases and 4,313 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 114,552,911 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,540,282. Already 90,051,580 people have recovered.

"Anyone who took a Covid test on February 12 or 13 and has not received a result, or did not complete their test registration card, is being asked to call 119 in England or 0300 303 2713 in Scotland as soon as possible."
(If that's you, it's not great news - see below.)

Recent reporting is that 6 more cases of Brazilian Variant (with the pesky E484K) have been found in the UK, 3 in England and 3 in Scotland.
They've yet to trace one of the English cases, hence the request above, and the 3 cases in Scotland bypassed quarantine hotels by travelling from Brazil via London to Scotland.
Nicola will be furious.... 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 24th / 25th February 2021.

The UK added 9,985 cases today (under 10,000 for 3 days running, for the first time since September) and now has reported a total of 4,154,562 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 740,717 tests yesterday. 

The counter says 18,691,835 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 700,718 have received 2 doses (that number should start to fly now, because we have reached the 3 month mark since 1st doses). 

16,059 people were in hospital on Tuesday 23rd, with 2,118 using a ventilator yesterday, 24th Feb.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 323 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 122,070 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 216,870 cases and 4,237 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 113,316,017 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,513,291. Already 88,861,737 people have recovered.

"We are aiming to offer a jab to all adults aged 50 or older and those who are at higher risk due to underlying health conditions by 15 April and every adult by the end of July."
Boris Johnson. UK PM.

Good news, with caution. Remember the 'Alert Levels'?
"Following advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and in the light of the most recent data, the 4 UK Chief Medical Officers and NHS England National Medical Director agree that the UK alert level should move from level 5 to level 4 in all 4 nations.
The health services across the 4 nations remain under significant pressure with a high number of patients in hospital. However, thanks to the efforts of the public we are now seeing numbers consistently declining, and the threat of the NHS and other health services being overwhelmed within 21 days has receded.
We should be under no illusions – transmission rates, hospital pressures and deaths are still very high. In time, the vaccines will have a major impact and we encourage everyone to get vaccinated when they receive the offer. However, for the time being it is really important that we all – vaccinated or not – remain vigilant and continue to follow the guidelines.
We know how difficult the situation has been and remains to be for healthcare workers. We thank them for their immense effort, skill and professionalism throughout the pandemic."

UK Briefing Education Special with Gav 24th Feb 2021

Cases: 4,144,577 (+9,938)
Losses of life: 121,747 (+442)
In hospital: 16,803 (down 20% from a week earlier)
Using a ventilator: 2,273
First dose vaccination: 18,242,873
Second dose: 669,105

"Today is the culmination of many months of planning, research, negotiation & coordination. But it's just the beginning. We still have a lot of work to do to realize our shared vision for Vaccine Equity by starting vaccination in all countries within the first 100 days of the year."
Dr Tedros of the World Health Organisation this morning, as the first COVAX shipment of 600,000 vaccines arrived in Ghana. 

Public Health England have added more people to vaccine priority groups:
“JCVI supports the plan to invite anyone on the GP Learning Disability Register – as well as adults with other related conditions, including cerebral palsy – for vaccination as part of priority group 6.”
This is presumably a result of their comprehensive computer programme algorithm - it has highlighted people who are significantly more vulnerable to COVID than we realised before (or were willing to admit. Common sense and logic suggested a few of them).
The cynic in me also adds that every adult we label "vulnerable" (and there are genuinely a lot), can justifiably be vaccinated as priority. It eases the conscience and pressure from the world, over vaccinating UK general population before other countries even get their health workers jabbed. It's a bit naughty - and they know it.
Invites will go out immediately it's possible, according to supply of vaccine in your area. 

Boris UK Road Map Out Of Lockdown Briefing 22nd Feb 2021

Cases: 4,126,150 (+10,641)
Losses of life: 120,757 (+178)
In hospital: 18,462 (18th Feb)
Using a ventilator: 2,469 (19th Feb)
First vaccination: 17,723,840
Second dose: 624,325

BIG real world data released today by Public Health England shows a really good reduction in cases among populations vaccinated with the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine. There isn't yet enough data on the Oxford vaccine for an 'early data' report, because we started using that later, but it'll be along shortly and looks just as good so far...
"Early data from PHE’s SIREN study shows a promising impact on infection in healthcare workers aged under 65. Healthcare workers in the study are tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) every 2 weeks – whether or not they have symptoms." This data shows:
"One dose reduces the risk of catching infection by more than 70%, rising to 85% after the second dose."
We also have really good early data for our older friends and family:
- One dose is 57% effective against symptomatic COVID-19 disease in those aged over 80. This effect occurs from about 3 to 4 weeks after the first dose.
- Early data suggests the second dose in over 80s improves protection against symptomatic disease by a further 30%, to more than 85%.
- Hospitalisation and deaths rates are falling in all age groups – but the oldest age groups are seeing the fastest decline since the peak in mid-January.
- Those over 80 who develop COVID-19 infection after vaccination are around 40% less likely to be hospitalised than someone with infection who has not been vaccinated.
Very importantly: These high levels of protection are also seen against the variant of concern (B.1.1.7) first identified in South East England in December 2020. (That's the more transmissible Kent/UK variant B117 which accounts for over 80% of UK cases now.)

"The Prime Minister will today set out the government’s roadmap for cautiously easing lockdown restrictions in England" was the announcement this morning. We really need to go by data, and not set hopeful dates that we can't step back from...
The 4 main factors, or 'tests', they will consider are:
1. The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully.
2. Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated.
3. Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.
4. Our assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern (including anything with that pesky E484K mutation which is more resilient to antibodies).
As these 4 tests (which they just made up, and I'll be honest, seem pretty erm... 'loose') are being met, reopening is due to start March 8th as planned. This date was chosen because it is 3 weeks after the top priority groups in Phase 1 should have had their first vaccine dose, so the vast majority who are especially vulnerable or over 60 should have a healthy degree of immunity.