COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 23rd / 24th / 25th March 2022

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases last 7 days: 599,244 (average 85,606 per day, up from 78,885 a week earlier)
In hospital yesterday Thursday 24th: 17,440 (up from 14,671 a week earlier)
Using a ventilator on Wednesday 23rd: 302
Losses of life last 7 days: 950 (average 136 per day)
Total losses of life: 164,454
Tests last 7 days: 5,098,534
Vaccinations 1st dose: 91.7% of UK aged 12+
Vaccinations 2nd dose: 85.8%
Boosted / 3rd dose: 67.3%

Rep. Of Ireland: 1,422,945 (+9,147) cases and 6,710 (+17) losses of life.

World: 478,839,027 reported cases and 6,136,057 losses of life.

"We all want to move on from the pandemic. But no matter how much we wish it away, this pandemic is not over."
Dr Tedros, Head of WHO

Wednesday was a National Day Of Reflection, in memory of all those lost over the 2 years since the UK first went into lockdown because of COVID. I didn't know about it in advance, so I didn't mention it - and I apologise to anyone who wishes they had known.
End of life charity Marie Curie has created online Walls Of Remembrance where you can leave a dedication to those you loved who have fallen victim to COVID. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 19th / 20th March 2022

No UK daily statistics at weekends. .

World: 470,427,307 reported cases and 6,099,458 losses of life.

Scientists in Europe have now identified 2 different Delta/Omicron 'Deltacron' hybrid or 'recombinant' variants, and another variant which is a mix of the 2 different BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron Variants. None are considered to be any extra cause for concern - they don't seem to have, and shouldn't have, any special features - and we already know what Delta and Omicron are like.
They occur when a single person catches both at once, and the 2 viruses both enter a single cell at the same time. It's a rare thing, but when we have 3 million people in the UK catching COVID each week, rare things happen more often. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 14th / 15th March 2022

UK Daily Statistics are a mess today again.
"No update to hospital data in England"
"Newly-reported cases, deaths, tests and vaccinations for Scotland cover several days"

Cases last 7 days: 492,103 (rising average 70,300 per day)
In hospital yesterday 14th March: 13,548 (UP by 2,230 from 11,318 a week earlier, which is an extra 318 a day, and they appear to be saying that's incomplete)
Using a ventilator yesterday 14th March: 280 (up slightly on 268 a week earlier)
Losses of life last 7 days: 714 (steady average of 102 per day)
Tests: 4,799,199 over last 7 days (dropping average 685,599 per day)
Vaccinations 1st dose: 91.7% of UK aged 12+
Vaccinations 2nd dose: 85.6%
Boosted / 3rd dose: 67%

Rep. Of Ireland: 1,353,733 cases and 6,624 losses of life (not yet reported today)

World: 460,953,747 reported cases and 6,069,945 losses of life.

“In the name of God, let the cries of those who suffer be heard and let the bombings and attacks cease! Let there be a real and decisive focus on negotiation, and let the humanitarian corridors be effective and safe. In the name of God, I ask you: stop this massacre!”
The Pope

"There are hundreds of thousands of people in Ukraine in need of emergency assistance.
Supplying hospitals with medical equipment is also an urgent priority.
I appeal for passages to be open and kept safe so that people can get lifesaving aid and escape to safety."
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

It's the 15th, and it's the 3rd month, so that must be the date all Caesars hate - the Ides Of March. Crikey the world is a mess right now. A month ago we didn't realise where we would be, and it's certainly not what most of us would have chosen. 

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has wiped COVID from the front pages of the news, but it really has only heaped sadness and stress on top of any which existed beforehand. We really do need some smiles, and every single one is worth it's weight in gold, because they are hard won just now. 

The storm is a long way from ending. It can feel helpless, pointless, overwhelming. Remember to take a break if you can. Walk away. Read a book, watch a film, meditate, have a kitchen disco. Immerse yourself in a bubble for a while. Sadly it will still all be there when you return, but you'll be stronger and more able to cope. Never lose hope. Just like every other before it, this time too will pass.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 12th / 13th March 2022

The UK do NOT currently update daily statistics at weekends. See Friday for latest stats.

World: 457,613,472 reported cases and 6,064,493 losses of life.

There is very little 'COVID news' today, which is also good news for my family, who will be having an early tea... (well, earlier than usual on a Sunday... )

The UK's schools inspectorate OFSTED are unhappy about the effect COVID has had on home/school relationships. They believe that it has "fractured the social contract between parents and schools" (chief inspector Amanda Spielman in The Guardian yesterday).
Compared to pre-pandemic, parents and carers are currently more likely to allow their children to stay at home, or take them out of school for holidays in term time.
I think Amanda is fretting a bit early there. Parents and children (in fact all people) have spent 2 years being a bit scared and out of control of our own lives, and it's only natural it'll take some of us a while to get back into a regular rhythm. Some people never will, but for most, including those who have been bereaved, there will be a broader return to pre-pandemic 'normal' when people are ready.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 9th / 10th / 11th March 2022

UK Statistics:
Cases last 7 days: 399,820 (average 59,117 per day)
In hospital yesterday 10th March: 11,944 (UP A LOT from 10,510 a week earlier.)
Using a ventilator yesterday 10th March: 253 (Steadily DOWN from 264 a week earlier)
Losses of life last 7 days: 730 (average 104 per day)
Tests last 7 days: 4,553,814 (average 650,544 per day)
Losses of life total: 162,738 within 28 days of a positive test
People with COVID as a cause on their death certificate up to Friday 25th February: 184,458

Rep. Of Ireland: 1,341,826 (+9,125) cases and 6,611 (+21) losses of life.

World: 454,447,651 reported cases and 6,054,087 losses of life.

It is 2 years today since the World Health Organisation said the word we'd all been waiting for - "Pandemic". Since then over 6 million people have officially died directly due to the effects of COVID infection.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 7th / 8th March 2022

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases last 7 days: +322,917 (average 46,131 per day)
Tests last 7 days: 4,392,544 (average 627,506 per day)
Tests / Cases means 1 in every 13 is positive.
(That's really high. World Health Organisation say anything greater than 1 in 20 means you aren't catching them all.)
In hospital yesterday Monday 7th March: 11,318 (UP from 10,551 eight days earlier - that's a BIG jump of almost 100 a day)
Using A Ventilator yesterday Monday 7th March: 268 (DOWN from 290 a week earlier)
Losses of life last 7 days: 729 (average 104 per day)
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 52,677,564 (91.6% of UK aged 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd Dose: 49,120,352 (85.4%)
Boosted / 3rd Dose: 38,396,473 (66.8%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 1,326,946 (+4,355) cases and 6,571 (+1) losses of life.

World: 448,780,890 reported cases and 6,030,409 losses of life.

"Thanks to all the women have made an outstanding contribution to the COVID-19 pandemic response. In 2021/2022 women represented 46% of SAGE participants, giving invaluable advice in their work as epidemiologists, social scientists, engineers and much more."
Sir Patrick Vallance, UK Chief Scientific Advisor.
Women also made up a large percentage of indieSAGE (a lot of people speak on both the UK Government official advisory panels AND the unofficial advisory panels). 

The number of people who have officially died from COVID worldwide has now passed 6 million. The true figure is likely to be somewhere between 14 and 23 million. 

"Today the outflow of refugees from Ukraine reaches two million people.
Two million."
Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 26th / 27th February 2022

There are no UK Daily Statistics today.
World: 435,315,212 reported cases and 5,965,853 losses of life.

There's very little COVID news that has made it's way through, and none of it is particularly urgent, exciting or important (although New Zealand really have cracked now - see the chart at the bottom). The entire world has it's focus on Ukraine, and Russia, including all Western governments and journalists.

Around 1.30pm GMT today Putin announced on Russian TV that because of aggressive statements made by NATO leaders, he was implementing "special mode of combat duty of the deterrence forces".
This refers to his nuclear capability, and is another threat to the West to back off, but according to Tass (Russian news agency) and anonymous online accounts, it hopefully doesn't mean anything else.
"Hard to tell with certainty, but most likely it means that the nuclear command and control system received what is known as a preliminary command"
Within minutes Ukraine's officials agreed to talks just over the border in Belarus. The Kyiv Independent:
"The Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko assured Zelensky that all planes, helicopters and missiles stationed on Belarusian territory will remain on the ground during the Ukrainian delegation’s travel, talks and return."
Tragically just after 5pm the Zhytomyr airport was bombed - and the bombs were launched from inside Belarus. That seems very likely to have broken the agreement as well as being the actual bombing of an airport, so sadly it doesn't bode well.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 23rd - 25th February 2022

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 18,804,765 (+31,933)
In Hospital Yesterday 24th Feb: 10,767
Using A Ventilator Yesterday: 289
Losses of Life: 161,224 (+120)
Tests: 685,308
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 52,606,239 (91.5%)
Vaccinations 2nd Dose: 48,953,594 (85.1%)
Boosted / 3rd Dose: 38,138,518 (66.3%)

Area: Cases (Positive Tests) Last 7 Days / Rate per 100,000 population
Wales: 6,618 / 208.8
Scotland: 43,161 / 789.6
Northern Ireland: 17,598 / 928.4
England: 234,902 / 415.4

Rep. Of Ireland: 1,287,908 cases and 6,471 losses of life.

World: 432,741,524 reported cases and 5,950,972 losses of life.

"President Putin, in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia."
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

"Ukraine is a country that for decades has enjoyed freedom and democracy and the right to choose its own destiny.
We – and the world – cannot allow that freedom just to be snuffed out. We cannot and will not just look away."
Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister, announcing to the UK that we will not be watching this one from the stands. We're in the players dugout at the moment, but prepared to warm up and appreciate we may need to step onto the pitch. Still hoping to avoid any serious gameplay. Not actually COVID, but for a lot of nations it will undoubtedly have a massive effect on case numbers, testing, travel etc...
Any Ukrainian nationals living, working and/or studying in the UK will be able to extend their stay (although if that hadn't been the case, you'd have been able to legitimately apply for sanctuary as a refugee anyway). There is currently no announcement of a resettlement scheme or other measures to provide an easy, legal and safe route for any Ukrainian refugees to enter the UK.