COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 18th May 2020.
The UK added 2,684 cases today and now has reported a total of 246,406 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 100,678 tests yesterday. 9,408 people are in hospital (first time under 10,000 in a long time) and down 13% from this time last week.
In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 160 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 34,796 losses of life in all settings.
England 144,127 / 31,010
Northern Ireland 4,401 / 476
Scotland 14,594 / 2,103
Wales 12,404 / 1.207
Rep. Of Ireland 24,200 (+88) cases and 1,547 (+4) losses of life.
There have now been a total of 4,851,974 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 318,051. Already 1,882,132 people have recovered.
"The COVID19 pandemic is a reminder of the intimate & delicate relationship between people and planet"
Dr Tedros, Head of WHO, at the World Health Assembly opening speech.
"The Earth has confronted several pandemics before. This is the first caused by a coronavirus. This a dangerous enemy, with a dangerous combination of features: efficient, fast and fatal.
COVID19 can operate in the dark, spread silently if we’re not paying attention, then suddenly explode if we aren’t ready. We’ve seen the same pattern repeated in cities & countries the globe." Dr Tedros.
Today saw the opening of the 2 day 73rd annual meeting of the World Health Assembly. This is the forum through which the World Health Organization (WHO) is governed. It is the highest health policy setting body in the world, and is composed of Health Ministers from all 194 member states.
For weeks Taiwan have been asking to be included, but at the last minute postponed their request for observer status. China say they're part of China, other countries, including Australia, say they're entitled to be there, and there's no doubt their expertise with COVID-19 is invaluable.
Australia has called for an independent coronavirus inquiry. By the time today's assembly convened, 116 countries had co-sponsored the motion. They include the African Group's 54 member states, all 27 members of the EU, Russia, Indonesia, India, Japan, Britain and Canada, Brazil, South Korea, Mexico, Turkey and New Zealand.
The Assembly started with standard greetings and introductory statements, and then an address from China’s President Xi Jinping. He made the following proposals to bring COVID-19 under control:
-- We must do everything we can for COVID-19 control and treatment;
-- The World Health Organization should lead the global response;
-- We must provide greater support for Africa;
-- We must strengthen global governance in the area of public health;
-- We must restore economic and social development;
-- We must strengthen international cooperation.
“All along we have acted with openness, transparency and responsibility.” He pledged $2b towards the COVID19 response and help to set up hospitals and health infrastructure in Africa.
A deal has been reached over an inquiry at the World Health Assembly this afternoon. China supports a "comprehensive evaluation" of the global response to coronavirus "after pandemic under control".
Since they called their highest alert level - a Public Health Emergency of International Concern - on January 30th, the World Health Organisation have shipped diagnostics, personal protective equipment, oxygen & other medical supplies to at least 120 countries, and trained more than 2.6 million health workers, in 23 languages.
