COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 10th April 2020.

The UK added 5,706 cases today and now has reported a total of 70,272 positive cases of COVID-19. We had all together tested 262,537 people as of 9am this morning.

As of 5pm yesterday, of those hospitalised in the UK, we have lost another 980 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have a total of 8,958 losses of life in hospitals. Losses of life in the community are reported by ONS with a 2 week delay.

Total cases and losses reported are:
England 58,817 / 8,114
Scotland 5,275 / 447
Wales 4,591 / 315
Northern Ireland 1,589 / 82
(The government haven't been reporting how many of the UK's positive testing cases have recovered.)

Rep. Of Ireland have 7,054 cases and 287 losses of life, and have not yet reported today.

There have now been 1,674,854 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 101,474. Already 371,858 people have recovered.


Sounds like Boris is capable of taking himself to the loo now, so good news there.

Today's UK briefing was hosted by Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, who started by saying this is a national effort. We all need to stay at home and avoid all of the temptations. Hospital staff are busy trying to keep people breathing, don't make their job worse. Share your responsibility.
Testing is getting better, with our highest number of tests yesterday - 19,116
There are currently 19,304 people in hospital with COVID-19.

We have capacity for all key social care and NHS staff to be tested. We've opened 15 drive through testing centres. The first of our mega-labs opened yesterday in Milton Keynes.
Stress on PPE (personal protective equipment) means we have to treat PPE as the valuable resource it is. We are shifting tons of the stuff, but there is a massive global demand and high demand in the UK, and weekly delivery has meant we've had to create a whole new supply and logistics chain. He hinted that regular public don't need PPE, if we follow advice and stay behind our front door. 742m items of PPE have already been delivered where needed, and there's a 24hr hotline to report shortages or trouble receiving supply.

Chief Nursing Officer Ruth May spoke about staying home over Easter - please. She's a nurse, she doesn't want her colleagues to have to go through any more than they already will do. They don't get a weekend, they're working saving lives. The least you can do is stay home.
She announced two more NHS Nightingale Temporary hospitals in Sunderland and Exeter.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 9th April 2020.

Today marks 100 days since the first cases of an unknown pneumonia were reported to the World Health Organisation, and today we have passed the milestone for one and a half million cases reported.

The UK added 4,344 cases today and now has reported a total of 65,077 positive cases of COVID-19. We had all together tested 243,421 people as of 9am this morning.

As of 5pm yesterday, of those hospitalised in the UK, we have lost another 881 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have a total of 7,978 losses of life in hospitals. Losses of life in the community are reported by ONS later.

Total cases and losses reported are:
England 54,554 / 7,163
Scotland 4,957 / 447
Wales 4,089 / 286 (have changed the time they report today)
Northern Ireland 1,477 / 82
(The government haven't been reporting how many of the UK's positive testing cases have recovered.)

Rep. Of Ireland have 6,574 cases and 263 losses of life.

There have now been 1,569,849 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 92,191. Already 345,917 people have recovered.


Tonight's government briefing was hosted by Dominic Raab, Foreign Secretary. He started by telling us that Boris Johnson is still in Intensive Care, but remains in good spirits and is communicating with staff. He hasn't spoken to Boris himself, because he's in intensive care.
He thanked all of the NHS staff looking after us, and the carers out in the community. He also thanked just about everyone doing those jobs which keep our lives turning. Cleaners, delivery drivers, shop workers, technicians and everyone else, and all of you volunteers.
Mr Raab explained we must keep going, and why that was important. Early signs are that our measures are working, but we can't say any more than that until the end of next week, and "we need evidence we've moved beyond the peak" before any restrictions will be relaxed. He is sorry that none of us can see our families this weekend, but "we mustn't give the coronavirus a second chance to kill more people".

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 8th April 2020.

The UK added 5,491 cases today and now has reported a total of 60,733 positive cases of COVID-19. We had in total tested 282,074 people as of 9am this morning.

As of 5pm yesterday, of those hospitalised in the UK, we have lost another 938 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have a total of 7,097 losses of life.

Total cases and losses reported are:
England 50,756 / 6,483
Scotland 4,565 / 296
Wales 4,073 / 245
Northern Ireland 1,339 / 73
(The government haven't been reporting how many of the UK's positive testing cases have recovered.)

Rep. Of Ireland have 6,074 cases and 235 losses of life.

There have now been 1,485,535 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 87,292. Already 318,876 people have recovered.

Boris Johnson "remains clinically stable and is responding to treatment" in Intensive Care. He's also described as "in good spirits".

"Tomorrow marks 100 days since WHO was notified of the first cases of “pneumonia with unknown cause” in China. It’s incredible to reflect on how dramatically the world has changed, in such a short period of time"
Dr Tedros, Head of the World Health Organisation.



At today's UK press conference, Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, told us Boris has been sitting up and talking, and his situation is improving. Good news. Rishi went on to say we have to work together and support each other. We all depend on each other to get through this.
He explained the Government can't replace every single penny that charities will lose out on this year, but some charities are doing essential work during the coronavirus crisis, and rightly need to be supported. £750m will be given to UK charities.
£370m will be donated to small, local charities supporting vulnerable people.
£360m will be given directly to charities, with up to £200m to hospices and the rest split among groups supporting vulnerable children, victims of domestic abuse and others.
The BBC have announced a 'Big Night In' on April 23rd - the Government will match whatever is raised, with a minimum of £20m to the national charities appeal. (See below).

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 7th April 2020.

The UK added 3,634 cases today and now has reported a total of 55,242 positive cases of COVID-19. We had in total tested 213,181 people as of 9am this morning.

As of 5pm yesterday, of those hospitalised in the UK, we have lost another 786 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have a total of 6,159 losses of life.

Total cases are: England 45,968, Scotland 4,229, Wales 3,790 and Northern Ireland 1,255. Already (many more than) 135 of the UK's positive testing cases have recovered.

Rep. Of Ireland have 5,709 cases and 210 losses of life.

There have now been 1,408,490 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 80,945. Already 298,514 people have recovered.


Boris Johnson is stable and we were told he is in good spirits and breathing for himself, "hasn't required ventilation or non-invasive respiratory support" and hasn't been diagnosed with pneumonia, but is receiving standard oxygen.

Today's UK briefing was led by Dominic Raab, Foreign Secretary, who talked about what it's like to have a colleague and friend ill. He reassured the public that the team will however not lose focus.
18,589 people are currently in hospital with coronavirus in the UK
Sir Patrick Vallance, UK science chief went through the slides. The numbers are showing signs of slowing. They aren't growing as quickly as they were, but it'll be about a week before we know if we have already hit our peak.
Prof Chris Whitty, CMO_England, was asked about what Germany had done to have such a low number of deaths. Testing. It was testing.
Mr Whitty was also asked how it was that the Prime Minister, Chief Medical Officer and Health Minister all managed to catch the virus, when they were the people telling us how not to catch it. Dominic Raab answered - "This is an indiscriminate virus" and we are learning all the time. I'd have said irony, but he's also right. Remember they will have caught COVID-19 around 2-3 weeks ago.
There were questions about deaths in the community and care homes. It is usual for countries to not include these in official death reporting (yep, everyone wants those figures low). The UK will include every community death which mentions coronavirus on the death certificate in Office Of National Statistics reports. In the week up until March 27th there were 539 community deaths from COVID-19.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 6th April 2020

The UK added 3,802 cases today and now has reported a total of 51,608 positive cases of COVID-19. We had in total tested 208,837 people as of 9am this morning.

As of 5pm yesterday, of those hospitalised in the UK, we have lost another 439 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have a total of 5,373 losses of life.

Total cases are: England 42,990, Scotland 3,961, Wales 3,499 and Northern Ireland 1,158. We've so far only reported 135 of the UK's positive testing cases have recovered, but it's more likely to be in the region of 15,000-35,000, so it'll be brilliant when they do report it.

Rep. Of Ireland have 5,364 cases and 174 losses of life.

There have now been 1,323,605 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 73,608. Already 277,280 people have recovered.


Mother, Grandma and longest serving British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has addressed her subjects in a special message, just the 4th of her 68 year reign. She reminded us this is a fight, and that we may be apart from loved ones, but it won't be forever.
"We will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again."

Boris Johnson is still in hospital and has sent us this message:
"Last night, on the advice of my doctor, I went into hospital for some routine tests as I’m still experiencing coronavirus symptoms. I’m in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team, as we work together to fight this virus and keep everyone safe."
"I’d like to say thank you to all the brilliant NHS staff taking care of me and others in this difficult time. You are the best of Britain. Stay safe everyone, and please remember to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives."

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 5th April 2020.

The UK added 5,903 cases today and now has reported a total of 47,806 positive cases of COVID-19. We had in total tested 195,524 people as of 9am this morning.

As of 5pm yesterday, of those hospitalised in the UK, we have lost another 621 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have a total of 4,934 losses of life.

Total cases are: England 39,814, Scotland 3,706, Wales 3,197 and Northern Ireland 1,089. Already (many more than) 135 of the UK's positive testing cases have recovered.

Rep. Of Ireland have 4,604 cases and 137 losses of life, and have yet to report today.

There have now been 1,252,982 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 68,149. Already 257,139 people have recovered.


If you are a fan of royalty, or people called Elizabeth, or just have nowhere to go tonight, the Queen is addressing the nation in a pre-recorded video at 8pm on Royal Family social media, the TV and radio. The cameraman wore PPE (true story).

Today's Press Briefing was hosted by Matt Hancock, Health Secretary (still no sign of Boris or Chris Whitty, and it is 9 days now for Boris).
We currently have 16,702 people admitted to hospital with COVID-19. We currently have 2,336 spare ICU beds in England alone, over 9,000 ventilators available and received another 300 from China this morning, as well as those in current production.
People are mostly following social distancing rules, but the small minority are risking themselves and others. Please don't think it's clever to bend the rules.
Jenny Harries explained that sitting on a park bench is a place where people accumulate, and it's just not worth it. We need to stay home and limit our contact with other humans. .
At the moment it is not necessary to add further restrictions on movement, and Mr Hancock did purposefully avoid answering what these might be. They really won't want to tell us, because there will always be people ready to break them as soon as they're imposed. Better if it's a surprise.
There's to be another NHS Hospital in Belfast.
The UK have launched a tool to look at people with symptoms and learn more. If you have symptoms, Google NHS Status Checker.
An Urgent Directive has gone out to NHS Hospitals, as the sheer volume of patients needing oxygen has caused some instability, and an equipment failure yesterday. It's really no surprise, this is unprecedented, and it gives the other hospitals a heads' up before they encounter similar issues. Huge thanks to any hospital technicians and maintenance staff making it happen.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for NHS workers has been upgraded in some instances (because of new information regarding procedures which can cause the virus to become an aerosol and linger in the air). UK PPE has always, and still, meets the WHO recommendations (although there are a lot of public complaints about shortages and incorrect supplies).

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 4th April.

The UK added 3,735 cases today and now has reported a total of 41,903 positive cases of COVID-19. We had in total tested 183,190 people as of 9am this morning.

As of 5pm yesterday, of those hospitalised in the UK, we have lost another 708 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have a total of 4,313 losses of life.

Total cases are: England 34,707, Scotland 3,345, Wales 2,853 and Northern Ireland 998. Already (many more than) 135 of the UK's positive testing cases have recovered.

Rep. Of Ireland have 4,604 cases and 137 losses of life.

There have now been 1,181,134 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 63,894. Already 243,871 people have recovered.


At today's UK briefing we had the pleasure of Michael Gove's company.
The NHS has 15,073 COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital. In the last day Yorkshire and the NE admissions have gone up by 35%, in the Midlands admissions have gone up by 47%.
7 health care professionals have lost their lives to COVID-19.
A 5 year old child with underlying health conditions has died from COVID-19.
Many different projects are underway, including Mercedes-Benz producing oxygen delivery systems and 300 ventilators today arrived from China. The MOD are organising delivery (cheers for your work people).
School attendance last week was 2%. Children need to be considered and there is more news to come next week.

Professor Steve Powis, Medical Director of NHS England was asked about the 13 residents of a single nursing home who have died without being tested for COVID-19. They will not be added to the regular figures, but will be reported by the Office Of National Statistics (ONS), as will all deaths in the community. Those numbers will be available soon (and it will be very ugly. This is your warning that the number is likely to be substantial because of the nature of COVID-19).
They explained the 5G hoax is rubbish. These are the phone networks which are used by our emergency services and have no relationship to COVID-19 whatsoever. People have been damaging them and putting lives at risk.
He reminded us that if you have symptoms of any health emergency, such as a stroke or heart attack, you should call 999 as you would normally. The NHS Is still caring for all patients.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 3rd April 2020.

The UK added 4,450 cases today and now has reported a total of 38,168 positive cases of COVID-19. We had in total tested 173,784 people as of 9am this morning.

As of 5pm yesterday, of those hospitalised in the UK, we have lost another 684 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have a total of 3,605 losses of life.

Total cases are: England 31,797, Scotland 3,001, Wales 2,466 and Northern Ireland 904. Already (many more than) 135 of the UK's positive testing cases have recovered.

Rep. Of Ireland have 4,273 cases and 120 losses of life.

There have now been 1,074,290 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 56,989. Already 226,062 people have recovered.


Boris is still ill with a temperature (he doesn't look well), so it was over to Matt Hancock to lead the briefing.
In the last 24 hours, 2 nurses and 2 health care assistants have lost their lives to COVID-19.
We currently have over 2,000 empty critical care beds and haven't yet had to use the NHS Nightingale Hospitals (I am genuinely impressed with this, it's a really good thing. I expected we would need them this week).
It looks like a gorgeous weekend, but we absolutely cannot afford to relax the social distancing right now, it WILL cost lives. We are instructed to STAY HOME. 

Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England talked about the 'team' who have come together to all work for the NHS (thank you to all of you). She's not confident at speeches, but she's actually very sincere, genuinely thankful and, like most of us, a bit scared.
Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, Deputy Chief Medical Officer told us that we are staying home, and thanked us for that, and stressed we have to keep staying home.
We are following Italy and France's trajectories, almost on a par with the USA.
We expect to reach the peak of our epidemic around 14th April, we have a way to go yet.
We have looked into Anosmia (loss of sense of smell and taste) as a symptom, but have decided that alone it doesn't offer diagnosis, so isn't helpful. Much more helpfully Matt Hancock commented that he'd had this symptom and his senses have now returned.
We have ordered 17.5m antibody tests (Did I have it? tests, suitable from 4 weeks after you are ill) but they still haven't yet been through final UK quality controls.
There were questions about masks, and the answers were that 'they are not recommended for the general public'. If you are in a position to stay home and practise physical distancing when you are out, it offers you no real advantage.
PPE is being delivered to social care settings, and the army will be involved in the logistics of that.

More temporary hospital sites have been announced, Bristol (1000 beds) and Harrogate (500 beds).

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 2nd April

Some sad milestones today. Over 1 million people have now tested positive for COVID-19 in the world, and over 50,000 people have lost their lives. The USA have become the first country to report over 200,000 cases and Spain are the 2nd country to lose over 10,000 people. A much better milestone is that over 200,000 people have now recovered from COVID-19.

The UK added 4,244 cases today and now has reported a total of 33,718 positive cases of COVID-19. We had in total tested 163,194 people as of 9am this morning.

As of 5pm yesterday, of those hospitalised in the UK, we have lost another 569 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have a total of 2,921 losses of life.

Total cases are: England 28,221, Scotland 2,602, Wales 2,121 and Northern Ireland 774. Already 135 of the UK's positive testing cases have recovered (it'll be more than that, they just aren't reporting them/testing people to see if they've recovered).

Rep. Of Ireland have 3,849 cases and 98 losses of life.

There have now been 1,001,958 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 51,432. Already 210,273 people have recovered.


Today's UK Press Briefing was with Matt Hancock the Health Secretary - all better and out of isolation jail.
He started by announcing he would write off £13.4bn of historic NHS debt. (Remind me again how the NHS can owe the Government money?)
He says they have fixed the issues with shortages of swabs and reagents. Hospital patients will continue to receive priority for testing, and critical NHS staff next, then all NHS staff.
The way they'll be able to test more people is due to a newly launched service for swab testing alongside other agencies (such as Boots) - again NHS staff will be first in line.
The antibody (did I have it?) tests are being made by 9 different companies and nearing completion. We will have ability to test 3500 people a week and will start sampling populations as soon as possible.
I'm impressed. No, I'm not. That was a joke. It's all wishes and promises, although the next one was at least more positive. By the end of the month they have set a target of 100k tests a day - this includes all tests.

Prof Stephen Powis of NHS England updated us on hospital admissions. London is under pressure and the midlands is also feeling the strain, but the overspill hospitals are not yet necessary. As of last night there were 1821 spare critical care beds in the NHS.
Prof John Newton, coordinator of the national testing effort reiterated what had been said. He explained to the press that the antibody (did I have it?) tests don't work until you've recovered and your body has created antibodies, so around a month after you were ill.
Press asked Matt Hancock how he managed to get a test. It's kind of obvious - he's Matt Hancock, Secretary of State. He answered well when asked about Premier League footballers being retained on full pay while other football ground staff were furloughed. He expressed disappointment. "We all have a part to play".
When asked if a second wave of infection is inevitable - we simply can't predict.
Tomorrow there will be news on additional Nightingale Hospitals in the UK

The UK will be 'clapping for carers' at 8pm every Thursday. NHS and other emergency workers have an awful time ahead and will be taking the most personal risk, so they get my biggest clap, but our world is turning because of lots of people. We have clean shops with food (and the money to buy it), power, communication, transport, childcare, empty bins, loo roll and lots more due to every single essential service worker who has to step outside their home, so that we can sit safer in ours. Thank you all.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 1st April

The UK added 4,324 cases today and now has reported a total of 29,474 positive cases of COVID-19. We had in total tested 152,979 people as of 9am this morning.

As of 5pm yesterday, of those hospitalised in the UK, we have lost another 563 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have a total of 2,352 losses of life.

Total cases are: England 24,638, Scotland 2,310, Wales 1,837 and Northern Ireland 689. Already 135 of the UK's positive testing cases have recovered (it'll be more than that, they just aren't spending time testing people to see if they've recovered).

Rep. Of Ireland have 3,447 cases and 85 losses of life.

There have now been 912,097 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 45,539. Already 190,933 people have recovered.


“None of us can say when this will end, but end it will”
Charles Mountbatten-Windsor, Baron of Renfrew.

Today's Government Press Briefing terrified victim at a podium was Alok Sharma, Secretary Of State, who repeated the fact that we need to try and keep the curve long and low, so that we don't run out of hospital beds. 10,767 people are in hospital, including 3,915 in London and 1,918 in the midlands.
He talked a lot about business, mainly reiterating promises already made and saying they will be implemented as swiftly as possible. £12b has been delivered already to Local Authorities to support business.

He was joined by Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director for Public Health England (PHE) who showed the UK has had a big increase in car usage in the last 2 days. Behave or they will lock you in further! Press questions were mainly about when testing will increase and how many tests we will perform. The answers were a bit vague, and we have short supply of a component, but they do intend to increase it as much and as quickly as possible.