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

The UK added 512 cases today and now has reported a total of 288,133 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 160,970 tests on a rolling 7 day average. 2,248 people were in hospital on Wednesday 8th, with 188 using a ventilator. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 48 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 44,650 officially reported confirmed losses of life in all settings.

England 248,089 / 40,066

Northern Ireland 5,772 / 554

Scotland 18,333 / 2,490

Wales 15,939 / 1,540

Rep. Of Ireland 25,589 (+24) cases and  1,744 (+1) losses of life.

There have now been a total of 12,503,566 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 559,546. Already 7,291,738 people have recovered.

The English Government have published the latest R rate and it's not as good as last week. Some areas may be seeing no decline in cases, and others only a little. There is generally a little 'blip' whenever lockdown restrictions are eased, and around a 2 week delay in reported cases (3 1/2 week delay in mortality), so this is a result of reopening of schools, shops, bubbles forming etc. There will always be a blip because getting together with new people will give limited spread, but if everyone keeps to the rules, it's still very limited (e.g. you just pass it to your bubble mates and that's where it stops). 

Region / R (Growth rate % per day)

England 0.8-1.0 (-4 to -1)

East of England* 0.7-1.0 (-4 to +1) 

London* 0.7-1.0 (-5 to +1) 

Midlands 0.7-0.9 (-6 to -2) 

North East and Yorkshire* 0.7-1.0 (-5 to -1) 

North West 0.7-1.0 (-5 to -1) 

South East* 0.8-1.0 (-4 to 0) 

South West* 0.7-1.1 (-6 to +1) 

Apparently "*Extra care should be taken when interpreting these estimates as they are based on low incidence and/or clustered outbreaks within this area".

Current R values in devolved administrations: 

Northern Ireland - The current estimate of R is 0.5 – 0.9

Scotland - On 8 July, R in Scotland was estimated to be between 0.6 & 1.0.

Wales - "There is confidence that the R number in Wales is below 1 and has been for several weeks. However, the low number of cases and clustered nature of outbreaks means that the R number for Wales is no longer considered to be a reliable estimate to rely on as an overall measure of the epidemic." (True that. A massive outbreak at a food processing plant or two doesn't mean you are suddenly over-run, and is far easier to contain and suppress than the half that number of cases scatterbombed all around the country.)

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 8th/9th July 2020.

The UK added 642 cases today and now has reported a total of 287,621 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 152,362 tests yesterday. 2,388 people were in hospital on 7th July, with 185 people using a ventilator on 8th July.  

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we reported the loss of another 85 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have an official total of 44,602 reported losses of life in all settings.

Excitingly, these figures were updated differently on the 2 government websites. Let's hope they can decide which is correct. 

England 247,609 / 40,018

Northern Ireland 4,894 / 554

Scotland 15,851 / 2,490

Wales 15,929 / 1,540

Rep. Of Ireland 25,542 cases and 1,738 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 12,275,294 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 554,465. Already 7,142,533 people have recovered.

Rishi Sunak and the UK Treasury have confirmed a budget to reopen the economy with a bit of a bang. It includes:

- Over £15b purely for PPE

- VAT on hospitality and entertainment cut from 20% to 5% for 6 months

- During August from Monday to Wednesday, eat out at 50% cost with the Govt paying the remainder to restaurants (*limit £10pp, no alcohol).

- Temporary cut of stamp duty on all house purchases (first £500,000). 

- If you bring back someone who was furloughed - and continuously employ them through to January we'll pay you (the employer) a Job Retention Bonus of £1,000 per person.

- As the crisis is easing, NHS Staff in England will soon have to pay parking fees again at work.... 

I'm keen on using things until their usefulness is done, and I always like saving money, so the following is a promotional guest post which supports my ethos and looks at some of the positives to buying a used car...

When it comes to buying vehicles, everyone wants to make the right choice, although there are pros and cons of buying either a new or used car. However, if you want to purchase a vehicle that suits your budget and will have you saving some money too, then you should opt for a used vehicle. Take a look below, we’ve listed 6 of the very best reasons for buying a used car!

If there’s anything stopping you from buying a used car, here’s the push that you need. You’ll end up saving money! All your money doesn’t have to be spent on a pricey new vehicle. You can get your desired car in a mint condition for your desired budget or even less. The money that you save from this purchase can be then spent on either your dream vacation, savings or for car maintenance, if required.

One cannot deny that some of the older models of cars are still better than the new ones coming in the market. These priceless models may not be available in the market now, however in the used car market, they’re always there! Getting a chance to drive a better car in our desired budget? What else can we wish for!

 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 6th/7th July 2020.

The UK added 581 cases today and now has reported a total of 286,349 confirmed cases of COVID-19. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we reported the loss of another 155 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 44,391 losses of life in all settings. ONS figures including suspected cases total over 55,000 people succumbed in the UK. 

England 246,386 / 39,815

Northern Ireland 5,761 / 554

Scotland 18,302 / 2,488

Wales 15,900 / 1.534

Rep. Of Ireland 25,531 cases and 1,741 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 11,818,570 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 542,818. Already 6,796,453 people have recovered.

The ONS (Office for National Statistics) figures for England and Wales today show that for the 2nd week running, the total number of deaths was lower than the 5 year average. It was lower in hospitals and care homes, but still more people died at home than usual. GO TO HOSPITAL if you are unwell. 

Edit to blog 6 / 7 The ONS have also published some detailed data on the random swab testing (do I have it right now?) that has been completed so far among people living in the community:
"Over the whole study period, an estimated 0.32% (95% confidence interval: 0.26% to 0.38%) of the 36,061 people providing swab test results have ever tested positive for COVID-19

"There is no evidence of differences in COVID-19 infection rates over the study period by sex and age bands, and only limited evidence of differences by ethnic groups."

They say they can't have confidence because their sample size is too small and started in April, when it was centred more towards urban and less affluent areas, but their figures show around twice as many people from BAME groups test positive for antibodies than white, and we are reminded:

"Recent analysis of COVID-19 related deaths shows that the mortality rate for those of White ethnic background was generally lower than for other ethnic groups. In particular, the rate of deaths involving COVID-19 for Black males was 3.3 times greater than that for White males of the same age, while the rate for Black females was 2.4 times greater than for White females."

Boris has pledged £1.57b to the UK's arts. Theatres, music, dance, heritage, museums, galleries - they often run on a shoestring anyway, not being able to open to patrons has meant they can't earn, and for many there's no real end yet in sight. Our lives would be so much less rich without beauty. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 4th/5th July 2020.

Local UK testing data is now much more comprehensive (someone has bought a calculator apparently), and as a result, lots of duplicate cases have been taken off the total. Thousands of other cases have been correctly added to their own region - as a result the total is lower, but regional figures are higher. By regional, I mostly mean 'England'. 

The UK added 516 cases today and now has reported a new total of 285,416 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 205,673 tests yesterday. 2,838 people are in hospital, 231 on a ventilator.. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 22 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 44,220 losses of life in all settings.

England 245,483 / 39,647

Northern Ireland 5,747 / 554

Scotland 18,296 / 2,488

Wales 15,890 / 1,531

Rep. Of Ireland 25,527 (+18) cases and 1,741 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 11,466,228 officially reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 535,028. Already 6,487,946 people have recovered.

"We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States!"

Kanye "2020 crazy is now at level 48/10" West. 

Pubs and bars reopened in England yesterday, and judging by the news reports and the videos, anyone watching would assume we were just leaving 3 years of temperance. No we weren't. Alcohol sales have never been prohibited in England, and we haven't had a shortage. People really were just that desperate to go out and see their mates. Social distancing was, as anticipated,  appalling in some busy places, but reports are that most people behaved sensibly. 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) haven't been able to find any benefit from using hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir with hospitalised patients, so there's no point carrying on with those trials - especially when we know we definitely can get improved results from Dexamethasone and Remdesivir. 

"These interim trial results show that hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir produce little or no reduction in the mortality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients when compared to standard of care. Solidarity trial investigators will interrupt the trials with immediate effect."

According to NBC News, the USA public message is going to change from next week, stressing the potential longevity of the pandemic, but giving a really negative message that I'm pretty sure will make many world leaders despair, "We need to live with it". 

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

The UK added 544 cases today and now has reported a total of 284,276 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 205,673 tests yesterday.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 137 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 44,131 losses of life in all settings.

England 244,412 / 39,567

Northern Ireland 5,747 / 552

Scotland 18,276 / 2,487

Wales 15,841 / 1,525

Rep. Of Ireland 25,489 cases and 1,738 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 11,080,565 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 526,250. Already 6,206,650 people have recovered.

Boris Johnson's spokesman: "The reopening of pubs and bars specifically comes into force at 6am. That would just be in the event anybody would attempt to try to open at midnight."

Lots of English stuff reopens tomorrow - including some pubs from 6am for breakfast. Then you'll be able to go and get your hair done, browse round the shops, pick a book from the library, grab some tea and finish off with a pint in a pub, before retiring to your hotel or campsite tent. Last year that would have sounded almost normal. PLEASE be cautious. COVID is still out there, and recklessness could make you poorly. If enough people aren't careful enough, we will have a second wave in August.... and we've only just opened the beaches... 

Seems the English government have realised it wasn't sensible to impose a quarantine on everyone arriving in England, especially from countries with COVID well under control. Grant Shapps has announced a traffic light system for overseas arrivals. Currently 59 countries will be exempt from quarantine from 10th July. 

"You do not have to self-isolate on arrival in England if these are the only places you have been to or stopped in during the previous 14 days." (Full list at the bottom of the post).

Obviously just because we don't have a quarantine doesn't mean they won't. Many arrangements will be one-way until both countries concerned have a very low level of Covid-19, and of course are subject to change at short notice. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 1st/2nd July 2020.

"Every person needs to look at your own risk. You need to be aware of what is the local transmission, you need to know 'what the transmission in my area is'. We do this every day of our lives as human beings. We manage risk, we decide when we cross the road, we decide when we fly, we decide when we have an operation or not have an operation. 

What we need is the information to make those risk based decisions. We need to gain the knowledge to be able to make good decisions. 

We decide on our proximity to other individuals. We decide on the intensity of our social engagement. We decide how long we spend in that environment. We can be advised by government, we can be advised by science, but in the end this comes down to personal motivation and personal choice. 

But in the end it comes down to individuals and communities. If it doesn't feel safe, it isn't safe for you."

Dr Mike Ryan, World Health Organisation. 

Gavin Williamson's English school reopening plan has been announced, and I for one don't like it. So there. I try and remain impartial when I report, and it's longer than War & Peace, so I'll do my best to lay out just the salient points:

1. All pupils, in all year groups, will return to school full-time from the beginning of the autumn term.

2. Office of National Statistics analysis suggests that staff in educational settings tend not to be at any greater risk from the disease. (But only keyworkers children were in school when that data was collected??)

My boys love sensory sand, and they've really enjoyed playing with So Magic indoor sand toys before, so they were keen to take a look at the So Sand DIY Ball Kit we were sent for review. Suitable for age 6+, it offers a nicely portable and self-contained sensory experience - you can play and then put it all away neatly for next time.

The packaging is lots of blown plastic and I'm never keen. Aside from the fact its unnecessary and ecologically unsound, it takes an age to cut open. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 29/30 June 2020.

The UK added 689 cases today and now has reported a total of 312,654 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 133,467 tests yesterday. On Sunday 28th June we had 3,695 people in hospital. On Friday 26th June, 268 patients were on mechanical ventilation. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 155 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 43,730 losses of life in all settings. (If you include ONS data, that figure is nearer 55,000). 

England 160,587 / 39,187

Northern Ireland 4,880 / 551

Scotland 15,822 / 2,482

Wales 15,743 / 1,510

Rep. Of Ireland 25,462 cases and 1,735 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 10,473,475 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 509,735. Already 5,715,993 people have recovered.

Guess who said it? "I want to end the current injustice that means a pupil from a London state school is now 50% more likely to go to a top university than a pupil from the West Midlands. And that is not only unjust, it is such a waste of human talent."

Today marks exactly 6 months since COVID-19 was first reported to the World Health Organisation as a cause for concern. 

"The six-month anniversary of the outbreak coincides with reaching 10 million COVID19 cases and 500 thousand deaths. This is a moment for all of us to reflect on the progress we have made and the lessons we have learned, and to recommit ourselves to doing everything we can to save lives. 

Six months ago, none of us could have imagined how our world – and our lives – would be thrown into turmoil by this new virus. The COVID19 pandemic has brought out the best and worst of humanity. 

All over the world we have seen heartwarming acts of resilience, inventiveness, solidarity and kindness. But we have also seen concerning signs of stigma, misinformation and the politicization of the COVID19 pandemic." Dr Tedros, Head of the World Health Organisation.