COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 11th / 12th January 2021 and UK Briefing.
There have now been a total of 91,634,529 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 1,960,988. Already more than 65,522,842 people have recovered.
Priti Patel, Home Secretary, was the choice for today's UK briefing - presumably because she's terrifying and she wanted to tell us all off. If you break lockdown she'll personally come round and bark at you until you cry. Goddit? Good. Anyway, I digress.
Alongside were Dr Vin Diwakar, Regional Medical Director for London and Martin Hewitt, Chair of Police Chiefs.
Priti started by giving an update on the current situation.
As of today, 2,431,648 people have been vaccinated with at least 1 dose across the UK.
45,533 new cases were reported today.
As of 10th January, 35,075 people are in hospital with COVID, up 22% on this time last week.
83,203 people have now been officially reported as lost within 28 days of a COVID test, including another 1,243 today.
45,000 fixed penalty notices have been issued to people breaching Coronavirus Regulations.
Police and local councils have now been asked to be strict, and more tightly enforce the regulations. It will save lives. Priti talks about the fact that Police, Fire Service staff etc. are there to help the most in need, and shouldn't have to face danger from the public when going about their job.
Martin Policeman talks about working WITH the public, and says a stubborn minority don't seem to want to prevent COVID. "Ten months on, the rules are clear, and I urge everyone to abide by them."
"We should all be asking ourselves, whether our reason to leave home is truly essential?"
They are guiding officers to be stricter, and more officers will be out on dedicated patrols to find people who are letting the rest of us down. He gives examples:
A Hampshire boat party for 40 people (who all paid £30 a ticket).
A minibus full going from Cheltenham to Wales for a walk
A party which claimed to be a business event
Illegal raves
The wearing of face coverings on public transport will also be more tightly enforced. You can expect a fine if you have no legitimate medical reason not to wear a mask.
