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

The UK added 3,896 cases today and now has reported a total of 215,260 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 96,878 tests yesterday. We have 11,809 people in hospital.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 346 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 31,587 losses of life in all settings.

England 134,975 / 28,250
Northern Ireland 4,078 / 427
Scotland 13,305 / 1,811
Wales 11,121 / 1,099

Rep. Of Ireland 22,541 cases and 1,429 losses of life (not yet reported today).

There have now been over 4 million cases worldwide. The total reported cases is 4,057,900. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 277,946. Already 1,414,731 people have recovered.


Today's UK briefing was with Grant Shapps, Minister For Transport, who talked about changes in order to maintain public transport for essential workers. In many parts of the network, we will only be able to have 1/10th of the passengers due to social distancing. When people start to return to work, we can't go back to how we were, we simply can't fit. And we can't all go in a car or it'll be horrific. More people will need to cycle or walk to work. Popularity of scooters will also increase (https://www.vulyplay.com/en-AU/scooters).

During the crisis, a lot of people have discovered the benefits of walking or cycling for exercise. It would be great if that could continue. There is a £2b package for cycle and walking in the UK. We will build pop-up bike lines, wider pavements, cycle lanes. Employees who want to cycle and don't have a bike can take advantage of the Bike To Work scheme, there will also be vouchers for bike maintenance, and bike fixing facilities around the country.
A trial of Electric Scooter rental schemes which was due to start next year will be brought forward and will take place in any local authority who wants to take part.
(Anyone else ever have a dream which involved Greta Thunberg, 12 monkeys and David Attenborough as an evil genius? Just me?).

Everyone who would usually keep you busy out of the house will need to hold on to some of their plans for a while until it's safe for everyone, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to do. A lot of folk are still determined to entertain you and they have temporarily moved online, so here are some of the sights you can still see....virtually...

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

Unpleasant milestones today... we have over 200,000 cases of COVID-19 and have lost more than 30,000 people.

The UK added 6,111 cases today and now has reported a total of 201,101 positive cases of COVID-19. The UK has 13,615 people in hospital, down from 13,922 yesterday.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 649 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have lost 30,076 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in all UK settings.

England 129,799 / 27,008
Northern Ireland 3,934 / 404
Scotland 12,709 / 1,620
Wales 10,764 / 1,044

Rep. Of Ireland have 22,248 cases and 1,375 losses of life.

Another big milestone no-one wanted to reach today, as over a quarter of a million people worldwide have now died from COVID-19, the total number is now 261,703. There have now been 3,780,522 reported cases worldwide. Much more encouragingly, over one and a quarter million people have already recovered - 1,275,536


Sooooo. Professor Neil Ferguson has quit after being caught breaking the lockdown, by receiving a lady visitor. Let me remind you this is the 3rd person to resign from an important role in our COVID-19 response for (being selfish and arrogant) breaking their own rules. Thank heavens we are better than they are.

Today at the UK Prime Minister's questions, Boris Johnson set a target of 200,000 virus tests per day by the end of May. We achieved the 100k tests a day target last Friday and Saturday, but we haven't since. Yesterday's total was 69,463.
He also said is was possible he will announce some relaxation of lockdown measures on Sunday.

Today's UK press conference was with Robert Jenrick, the Housing and Communities bloke. He asked us to buy a newspaper? Random. How about go anywhere local (online) and buy something to support your own local community.
Local Resilience have delivered tons of PPE and over 1m boxes of food to vulnerable people.
Vital local building work has to be done, infrastructure and construction is urged to go back to work wherever it's safe to do so. Adaptations might be needed going forward - more cycle lanes, wider pavements etc.

Dr Nikita Kanani of NHS England is the newbie. She has a special interest in Primary Care, and stressed the NHS is OPEN TO ALL, even over the Bank Holiday weekend. If you need medical care, ring and get help. You might see someone dressed in PPE, but imagine you're in a classic movie and it'll be fine. (She is very human, but she didn't say that bit.)

Prof Yvonne Doyle of Public Health England did the slides. We are losing less people to COVID-19, but that number is not yet close to being low enough to end lockdown. There's no point us stepping out and then within a month being back at home for weeks.

Public Health England are looking at other countries to see what measures work best for schools, regarding social distancing etc. All UK schools already have guidance for the small number of pupils who are in. Staff and parents need to feel secure and confident to send their children back (*nods in agreement*). It will be a planned, phased approach.

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.