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

The UK added 4,406 cases today and now has reported a total of 194,990 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 84,806 tests yesterday.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 693 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have lost 29,427 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in all UK settings.

England 128,188 / 26,441
Northern Ireland 3,881 / 387
Scotland 12,437 / 1,576
Wales 10,669 / 1,023

Rep. Of Ireland have 21,983  cases and 1,339 losses of life.

There have now been 3,688,107 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 255,174. Already 1,220,696 people have recovered.

"What’s really important is that we have a proper review, an independent review, which looks into the sources of these things in a transparent way so we can learn the lessons and to ensure that, were there to be a virus pandemic potential that would originate anywhere else in the world, we can learn the lessons from that," Australian PM Scott Morrison.

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Today is Tuesday, so the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures were released for week ending 24 April 2020 (Week 17).
The provisional total number of deaths registered in England and Wales was 21,997, a decrease of 354 compared with the previous week (the first decrease since week 12) but 11,539 more than the five-year average.
8,237 deaths mentioned COVID-19 (37.4% of all deaths).
The number of deaths in care homes (from all causes) was 7,911. The number of deaths in hospitals was 8,243.
In London 50.5% of deaths registered in Week 17 involved COVID-19, in the North West 38.8%, in the North East 38.0%.
In Wales, there were 413 deaths registered in Week 17 involving COVID-19, accounting for 36.7% of all deaths registered in Wales.

Year to date UK totals: 229,294 deaths were registered by 24th April, which is 33,593 more than the five-year average. 27,356 mentioned the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the death certificate.

Today's UK briefing was with Dominic Raab, who, along with Prof Angela McLean, Deputy Chief Scientific Advisor, seemed completely off-guard and stuttery. I wasn't sure if Angela was going to start crying at one point.
There was a SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group) meeting today, I get the feeling they didn't have great news, or Boris has taken ill again, or maybe it was just the fact that the UK now have the biggest official loss of life to COVID in Europe. There was definitely something going on.
Dominic started by saying it is becoming clear that we will have to adjust to a new normal.

After weeks of "when are we re-opening schools?, UK press now all asked about "opening schools when evidence isn't clear it's safe". At least they've changed questions. Dominic Raab said it seems likely opening all schools would force our R (reproductive rate) above 1 and cause a surge in cases.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 4th May 2020.

The UK added 3,985 cases today and now has reported a total of 190,584  positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 85,186 tests yesterday. The UK has 13,258 people in hospital, down from 14,284 yesterday. We have 3,413 free critical care beds

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 288 people to COVID-19 - our lowest figure since March, but remember it is from weekend reporting, which is always low. We now sadly have lost 28,734 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in all UK settings.

England 126,346 / 25,785
Northern Ireland 3,836 / 381
Scotland 12,266 / 1,571
Wales 10,524 / 997

Rep. Of Ireland have 21,772  cases and 1,319 losses of life.

There have now been 3,611,394 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 250,125. Already 1,171,046 people have recovered.

"The race to find a vaccine is not a competition between countries, but the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes. It's humanity against the virus. We're in this together, and together we will prevail." Boris Johnson.


Matt Hancock, Health secretary did the UK press briefing today and explained about the test, track and trace. It's piloting in the Isle Of Wight this week. It is bluetooth, but conserves power. If you become unwell, you inform the NHS and then anyone who has been in close contact will be notified.
In theory everyone is then tested to see how far COVID-19 has spread and who has caught it, and they isolate.
(You need at least 50% of people who are out and about to download and use the app. for it to really work, ideally at least 80%).
The social distancing measures bring the number of cases down. Test, track and trace will help keep it down. The less cases we have, the more effective test, track and trace can be.
It is hoped it will be up and running by the middle of this month UK wide.

Press asked is it just the app.? Prof John Newton, coordinator of the national testing effort, said we will also have 'shoe leather epidemiology', with real people going out and finding contacts of people who are ill.
They also asked about personal information. Your phone holds all information, no personal details are contained or generated. Once someone has symptoms and contacts the NHS, then the data from their phone is shared and it says which phones they were in contact with.

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

The UK added 4,339 cases today and now has reported a total of 186,599 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 76,496 tests yesterday. The UK has 14,284 people in hospital, down from 14,695 yesterday.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 315 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have a total of 28,446 losses of life. The UK are now adding ALL positive-testing loss of life to the daily totals, wherever it occurs.

England 124,861 / 25,528
Northern Ireland 3,767 / 376
Scotland 12,097 / 1,559
Wales 10,329 / 983

Rep. Of Ireland have 21,506 cases and 1,303 losses of life.

There have now been 3,531,120 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 246,825. Already 1,131,423 people have recovered.


Today's UK briefing was with Michael Gove, Chancellor.
Boris will explain our plans for easing restrictions next week, but just because we have a plan, won't change the fact the 5 tests need to be met before we can enact it.
Well over a billion items of PPE have been distributed. 20m were delivered on 2nd May alone.
The test, track and trace app will pilot next week on the Isle Of Wight.
He went back over what they've done to support schools. Over 60% of schools have been open every day. 49% of pupils in schools at the moment are classed as 'vulnerable'. Laptops are on order for vulnerable children taking exams.
Extra money is pledged to adult social care, to support vulnerable adults.
The COVID Support Force of the MOD is now of 20,000 people and is supporting local authorities.
200,000 calls a day are being made to shielded people.

Prof Steve Powis, of NHS England reminded us of the 5 tests yet again. New slides showing what IOS users have been up to. Numbers, even with much more testing, are down - good evidence that numbers genuinely are declining. Can you imagine how high they'd have been a month ago?
Critical Care bed use is around 30% or less across the UK.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 2nd May 2020.

The UK added 4,806 cases today and now has reported a total of 182,260 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 105,937 tests yesterday. The UK has 14,695 people in hospital, down from 15,111 yesterday.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 621 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have a total of 28,131 losses of life. The UK are now adding ALL positive-testing loss of life to the daily totals, wherever it occurs.

England 122,842 / 25,282
Northern Ireland 3,689 / 365
Scotland 11,927 / 1,515
Wales 10,155 / 969

Rep. Of Ireland have 21,176 (+343) cases and 1,286 (+21) losses of life.

There have now been 3,449,884 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 242,881. Already 1,102,420 people have recovered.


Today's UK briefing was with Robert Jenrick, Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Govt.
Repeats that we are past the peak, and we'll find out more about phase 2 next week.
He talked about domestic abuse. The government will ensure victims get Priority Need status to access local housing services.
£16m is already going to Refuge and £15m to support services.
He announced a package of £76m extra for charities to support victims of abuse, sexual violence and modern slavery. This will help fund virtual and phone based services.
Where refuges don't have enough emergency accommodation, the government will work to provide temporary hotel accommodation.
Boots are providing 'safe space' in many shops, where victims can ask for help.
If you are in danger call 999. If you cannot talk, press 55.
National 24hr helpline 0808 2000 247
5,400 rough sleepers have been given accommodation. Over 90% of rough sleepers known to councils.
Dame Louise Casey (who was once head of Shelter) has been appointed to oversee Government plans to end homelessness before the government term is over.
The extremely vulnerable people in the shielding group who have no friends or family in a position to offer support with shopping, have been offered a regular basic package of essentials (food, loo roll etc). The 1 millionth package will be delivered in the next few days.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 1st May 2020.

The UK added 6,201 cases today and now has reported a total of 177,454 positive cases of COVID-19. We have 15,111 people in hospital with COVID-19.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 739 people to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 27,510 losses of life. (This total includes ALL positive-testing loss of life, wherever it occurs.)

England 120,614 / 653
Northern Ireland 3,623 / 347
Scotland 11,654 / 1,475
Wales 9,972 / 925

Rep. Of Ireland 20,833 (+221) / 1,265 (+33)

There have now been 3,363,946 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 237,458. Already 1,069,041 people have recovered.


"If you open the door a little bit ... it comes back strong," Bill De Blasio, New York City Mayor.

Today's UK briefing was with Matt Hancock, Health Secretary.
NHS fertility services are being restored - it's massively time-sensitive and I'm sure this news will come as a relief to a lot of people.
The number of tests yesterday was 122,347 - we met the national goal of 100k per day. I have to say well done on that, I doubted them. Now, keep it up.
He thanked us for what we've all done so far, and asked for the same assistance when they begin the contact tracing. (We have saved potentially hundreds of thousands of lives from our living room.)

Prof John Newton, coordinator of the national testing effort, talked about testing. He said the virus circulated widely and at first testing wouldn't have made a difference (hmmmm). The lockdown wouldn't have been shorter if we'd tested as many people as we possibly could (hmmmm). Then he said some more things, including Germany doing better than us because they had extra tests to begin with (errrrm... yes). At this point I fetched a drink.
Then he talked about how useful testing will be with contact tracing. That's so true. Every country which is on top of their outbreaks uses contact -tracing, testing, isolating. It catches asymptomatic cases, low symptom cases, and sometimes it even finds people who actually need hospital care and were trying to muddle on through.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 30th April 2020.

The UK added 6,032 cases today and now has reported a total of 171,253 positive cases of COVID-19.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 674 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have a total of 26,711 losses of life. The UK are now adding ALL positive-testing loss of life to the daily totals, wherever it occurs.

Total numbers given:
England 118,343 / 24,110
Northern Ireland 3,536 / 338
Scotland 11,353 / 1,415
Wales 9,812 / 908

Rep. Of Ireland have 20,612 (+359) cases and 1,232 (+42) losses of life.

There have now been 3,272,102 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 231,312. Already 1,031,502 people have recovered.

Guess who was back for today's UK briefing? That man who used to be Prime Minister! Yes, it was Boris himself, just sneaking 1 appearance in for April. He thanked the NHS for his life, and apologised for not being here.
Tomorrow is our deadline for 100k tests a day - we managed 81,611 yesterday, so not bad at all - they are trying.
We have 15,043 people in hospital today.
We have so far succeeded - numbers are all going down, and no patient went without a ventilator, or intensive care. The reasonable worst case scenario was 500,000 deaths. "We are past the peak and we are on the downward slope."
Today Oxford University has announced a partnership with Astra Zenica, so that when a vaccine is ready, it will be available as soon as possible, not only to the UK, but affordably to poorer countries.
Next week he will set out a comprehensive plan for how to restart the economy. We are being guided by the science, and will try to build political cross-party consensus, support of the population, and it will rely on the 5 key tests.
1. Protect the NHS ability to cope.
2. Sustained fall in deaths,
3. Infection rate falling (consistently below R1 = reproductive rate 1).
4. Operational and logistical challenges on testing and PPE sufficient
5. We must not overwhelm the NHS with a huge peak.

Our latest review for the Asmodee Blogger Board Game Club is Century: A New World, which has been sent to us for review. Suitable for 2 to 4 players aged 8+, this is a tabletop strategy game which is the 3rd in the very popular series by creator Emerson Matsuuchi, and can be played alone or with either or both of the other Century games (Spice Road and Eastern Wonders).

A New World sees players take the role of explorers travelling the land, trading and collecting goods... and it's all done beautifully, with gorgeous illustrations and wooden playing pieces, including tiny tiny people.


Inside the box are 6 Double-sided Location Boards, 4 Player Boards, 48 Wooden Workers, 56 Cards, 10 Exploration Tiles, 25 Bonus Tiles, 4 Bowls, 105 Wooden cubes and 4 rulebooks (depending on whether you play standalone, or with 1 or both of the other games).

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 29th April 2020.

The UK added 4,076 cases today and now has reported a total of 165,221 positive cases of COVID-19. We tested 33,455 people yesterday, 632,794 in total.

The UK are now adding ALL positive-testing loss of life to the daily totals, wherever it occurs. Some numbers may be provisional. In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 765 people to COVID-19, but collective loss of life prior to that adds another 3,811 souls. Today's total is 4,419. We now sadly have a total of 26,097 losses of life.

England 115,859 / 23,550
Northern Ireland 3,463 / 329
Scotland 11,034 / 1,332
Wales 9,629 / 886

Rep. Of Ireland 19,877 / 1,159 (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been 3,186,694 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 225,529. Already 986,446 people have recovered.


Boris has had a baby boy. Both mother and baby are said to be doing very well. It's her first baby, and believed to be his 5th or 6th. It's not yet known if he'll ever actually stand at the briefing podium himself.

Today's UK briefing was hosted by Dominic Raab, Foreign Secretary.
He talked about what's happening in Germany, where cases and losses are rising at the moment, as a direct result of easing restrictions. We are still very slowly creeping down the curve, we can't go too early.
He listed some of the PPE we have recently received from abroad, and talked about repatriated UK citizens - including final passengers from luxury cruise ships (not all the crews are home yet though!).
We are still looking towards a vaccine, and the UK will give GAVI (Global Vaccine Alliance) £330m each year for the next 5 years. This will help ensure a vaccine is available to whoever needs it, wherever they are, and will benefit the entire world.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 28th April 2020.

The UK added 3,996 cases today and now has reported a total of 161,145 positive cases of COVID-19.

As of 5pm yesterday, of those hospitalised in the UK, we have lost another 586 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have a total of 21,678 losses of life in hospitals. (Losses of life in the community are reported by ONS on Tuesdays - see below.)

Total cases and losses reported are assumed to be:
England 137,504 / 19,204
Northern Ireland 3,408 / 329
Scotland 10,721 / 1,332
Wales 9,512 / 813
(The government haven't been reporting how many of the UK's positive testing cases have recovered.)

Rep. Of Ireland have 19,877 cases and 1,159 losses of life.

There have now been 3,105,224 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 214,372. Already 944,116 people have recovered.


At 11am this morning the UK held a minute's silence for all of the health and social care workers so far lost to COVID-19.

It's Tuesday, so the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures have been released for England and Wales -  week ending 17 April 2020 (Week 16).  They include the losses of life in hospitals given by the government in the daily coronavirus totals, and also everyone who died outside hospital. They make grim, yet sadly not unexpected, reading:

The provisional number of deaths registered in week 16 was 22,351
This weekly total is 11,854 more than the five-year average.
8,758 deaths (39.2%) mentioned novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
In London, over half (55.5%) of deaths registered in Week 16 involved COVID-19. In the North West 42.3% and North East 41.1%

For the year up to Week 16 (April 17th) a total of 19,112 deaths involving COVID-19 had been registered in England and Wales.
77.4% (14,796 deaths) occurred in hospital
22.6% occurred in care homes (3,066), private homes (883) and hospices (190).

The ONS are trying to be completely transparent, so are working with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to bring us provisional numbers for Week 17 (Up to 24th April). They show that in the 2 week period 10 April to 24 April, CQC had been notified of a total of 4,343 deaths from COVID-19 in care home settings.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 27th April 2020.

The UK added 4,310 cases today and now has reported a total of 157,149 positive cases of COVID-19. We had all together tested 569,768 people as of 9am this morning.

As of 5pm yesterday, of those hospitalised in the UK, we have lost another 360 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have a total of 21,092 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 assumed to be:
England 133,974 / 18,749
Northern Ireland 3,374 / 309
Scotland 10,521 / 1,262
Wales 9,280 / 796
(The government haven't been reporting how many of the UK's positive testing cases have recovered.)

Rep. Of Ireland have 19,648 cases and 1,102 losses of life.

There have now been over 3 million reported cases worldwide - 3,029,761. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 209,244. Already 900,334 people have recovered.


Boris did a big speech outside Downing Street this morning. He promised all decisions will be made with complete transparency and scientific backing,  the opposition will be involved and we will be informed throughout the process. He asked for patience:
"I refuse to throw away all the effort and the sacrifice of the British people, and to risk a second major outbreak and huge loss of life, and the overwhelming of the NHS."
He pointed out we have defied predictions (we really have, 5 weeks ago no-one believed we wouldn't overwhelm the NHS).
He reminded us of the 5 points we need before we can move on to the second phase and make decisions on reducing restrictions:
1. Loss of life falling
2. NHS protected
3. Rate of infection solidly below R1
4. We have enough tests and PPE
5. Avoiding a second peak
To be honest the press are an absolute liability here. A reporter immediately shouted "when will the lockdown end?" to Dominic Raab when he arrived. Boris literally just said it. NOT YET. It makes the public twitchy and gives us a false sense that it could be any time now. It can't. Everyone going out today and adding to the count is being egged on by the UK press. There, I said it.

Today's UK press briefing was with Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, and he started by saying each day a member of the public will have a question (see image below).
Today the Government is setting up a life assurance scheme. Families who lose someone on the NHS and social care frontline to COVID-19, in the course of essential work, will receive £60,000.
We have 15,051 people in hospital, down from yesterday again, and today we have 3,190 spare critical care beds. Everyone has had the hospital care they needed so far.
Our 8th Nightingale hospital opened today.
We are reminded yet again to GO TO HOSPITAL if you are really ill. Our A&E visits are down by over 50%. Some is because our behaviour is different (less booze and driving), but some is because people are scared of COVID-19. If you need it, it's there for you.
Starting tomorrow, some ongoing medical care services will be resumed, starting with urgent Cancer treatments. It will be decided locally.