COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 4th /5th November 2020.
The UK added 24,141 cases today and now has reported a total of 1,123,197 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 301,131 tests yesterday.
12,949 people were in hospital on Tuesday 3rd, with 1,191 using a ventilator yesterday, 4th November.
In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 378 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days. We now very sadly have a total of 48,120 officially reported losses of life in all settings. (Up until Friday 23rd October, 60,051 people had COVID written on their death certificate.)
Rep. Of Ireland 64,046 (+563) cases and 1,933 (+3) losses of life.
There have now been a total of 48,746,709 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 1,235,435. Already 34,861,756 people have recovered.
No surprises, Parliament agreed to the new nationwide English restrictions, which went into force at midnight last night. Full guidance does now seem to be in place on the Gov dot UK website (click on the Coronavirus banner near the top). If you have the Test & Trace app. you'll have received an alert earlier, and can access the Gov site through the app. directly.
Bozza did a press conference today to celebrate his second lockdown.
He started by reminding us what a brilliant job they've done with testing, keeping businesses running, making our own PPE now... (hmmmm)
He read some figures very fast, like a headmaster reading a really big list of achievements on a Friday afternoon assembly.
12,320 patients are currently in hospital, up from 2,602 a month earlier. 1,142 people are now using a mechanical ventilator, compared to 369 a month earlier. 492 losses of life were reported yesterday.
In England from today, we are once again asking you to STAY AT HOME. You can only leave home for work (if you cannot work from home), education, essential activities and emergencies.
"The advice I've received does suggest that 4 weeks is enough time to make an impact."
Rishi has announced an extension to the furlough scheme (see below) until March. Help for the Self-Employed has also been raised, and cash grants for closed businesses are available.
29,000 rough sleepers have been moved off the streets, 2/3 are now in settled accommodation. (Nice one. Finally.)
The lockdown will automatically expire at midnight on 2nd December (unless we change anything in the meantime).
He handed over to Sir Simon Stevens, who told us about NHS England preparations for Winter.
He says the second wave is serious. We are attempting to catch up on care that was paused with the first wave, and we can only carry on doing that if we have enough capacity, and don't fill up with COVID patients.
Simon has a chart showing at the beginning of September we had under 500 COVID inpatients, at the beginning of October 2,000, and now we have 11,000 patients. That's the equivalent of 22 hospitals full of Coronavirus patients. These are facts, not forecasts or projections.
It takes 7-10 days from infection to hospitalisation
15-30 days from infection to discharge or death
Action is needed today because much of the next 4 weeks is written already - it will keep going up.
We are reminded of progress medically, and that everyone should HAVE YOUR FLU JAB, because getting flu and COVID together doubles the chance you won't survive.
We have however halved the mortality rate of COVID for some patients (those needing Oxygen), we have hopeful treatments, and the vaccines nearing the end of development.
He asks for our help. Protect The NHS - we are asked to help protect the ability of the NHS to do their jobs. Protect the staff. We can't fix Cancer right now, we can't heal everyone, but we CAN do something about the spread of Coronavirus.
Si answered press questions about vaccines - we have some initial vaccines now, but there are several different types, and some won't even come through until Summer. There are multiple opportunities for something to be incredibly effective.
Boris failed to answer press questions about the 'people who have lost their jobs, and then the furlough scheme has been expanded anyway'.
Press asked if 'we can be sure we won't have any restrictions over December or Christmas'. Si and Boris said it really is down to us, but Boris believes people will "be able to have as normal a Christmas as possible" which is a brilliant phrase to remember, and absolutely meaningless. Simon didn't seem very confident.
Press asked about unclear data, and Boris said they're trying to make it as clear as possible.(It's not their strong point, they're too shifty. Sometimes it's all very clear, other times it looks a little relaxed, like it's been massaged. Right now, when they want us all to stay home, it's a lot clearer.)
Boris went off on one about testing, but he explained the 3 types of COVID (have I got it?) testing, which was a good thing. (I covered them yesterday.)
Boris ended the briefing with a bittersweet return.
"Science is improving the whole time. We are, as a country, in a far, far better position to fight this.... Stay At Home. Protect The NHS. Save Lives."
