COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update and UK Briefing 22nd January 2021.

The UK added 40,261 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,583,907 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 665,330 tests yesterday. 

The counter says 5,383,103 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night, with 466,796 fully vaccinated. 

38,562 people were in hospital on Wednesday 20th, (78% higher than the first peak in April) with 3,960 using a ventilator yesterday, 21st January. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 1,401 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 95,981 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 184,279 (+2,357) cases and 2,870 (+52) losses of life. 

There have now been a total of 98,409,112 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,107,517. Already 70,706,296 people have recovered.

“One of the new things in this administration is that if you don’t know the answer, don’t guess. Just say you don’t know the answer.”
Dr Anthony Fauci, Director of the USA's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (Welcome back.)

We do have some good news. Today's ONS data does suggest that for the first time in ages, the UK's overall R rate is below 1. It's assumed to be between 0.8-1.0. 

Right. We also have some bad news. There's little we can do about it and I can't sugar coat it, but paradoxically it may eventually lead to less overall losses of life in the UK at least. An investigative study by UK Government advisory group NERVTAG (New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group), has found that the UK variant does seem to be more lethal than the original COVID.
It appears to be around 1.3 fold more dangerous - so if 10 people would have succumbed to plain old COVID, 13 would succumb to the UK variant.
This is possibly also the case with the South African variant, and the Brazilian variant - which share some genetic mutations with the UK variant, despite developing completely separately.
This news will cause some worldwide concern - in the countries which do have UK variant (much of Europe, USA) and the countries which don't. It is seeming increasingly likely that travel between areas WITH COVID and areas WITHOUT COVID will get more and more difficult and restrictive, but possibly so will travel between areas with and without new variants. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 20th / 21st January 2021.

The UK added 37,892 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,543,646 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 640,856 tests yesterday. 

The counter says 4,973,248 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night, and 464,036 are fully vaccinated. 

38,676 people were in hospital on 19th, with 3,953 using a ventilator yesterday, 20th January. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 1,290 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 94,580 losses of life in all settings.

Country / Cases / Losses of life / Losses of life per 100,000 population.
Wales 185,035 / 5,399 / 171.2
Scotland 168,219 / 7,070 / 129.4
Northern Ireland 98,351 / 1,975 / 104.3
England 3,092,041 / 81,379 / 144.6

Rep. Of Ireland 179,324 cases and 2,768 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 97,601,280 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,090,444. Already 70,097,292 people have recovered.

The latest REACT random study data for 6th to 15th January suggests in most English areas cases were still rising. We are still seeing the effects of Christmas, but with a 3 week old lockdown you'd hope for some positive signs. On 15th January more people in the UK had COVID than in mid December - not good news.
The hopeful news is that since the 15th Jan we are beginning to see daily reported cases drop, so fingers crossed that the last week made all the difference...
The main findings from the eighth REACT study (6-15 Jan) show:
- national prevalence increased by 50% from 0.91% in early December to 1.58%, or 158 out of every 10,000 people infected
- national R was estimated at 1.04
- regional prevalence was highest in London where it had more than doubled from 1.21% to 2.8%. It had also more than doubled in the South East (0.75% to 1.68%); East of England (0.59% to 1.74%); and West Midlands (0.71% to 1.76%). It increased in the South West (0.53% to 0.94%) and North West (0.92% to 1.41%). There was a decrease in Yorkshire and The Humber (1.39% to 0.84%). It was stable in the East Midlands (1.04% to 1.16%) and North East (1.26% to 1.18%)
- prevalence increased nationally in all adult age groups and was highest in 18 to 24 year olds at 2.51%. Prevalence in the over 65s more than doubled from 0.41% to 0.94% 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 18th / 19th January 2021

The UK added 33,355 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,466,849 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 556,689 tests yesterday. 

The counter says 4,266,577 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night, and 456,866 had received their second dose.  

37,946 people were in hospital on Sunday 17th, with 3,916 using a ventilator yesterday, 18th January. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 1,610 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 91,470 official losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 174,843 cases and 2,616 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 96,288,013 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,056,675. Already 68,860,956 people have recovered.

Face of the UK COVID response, Matt Hancock, who famously caught COVID as early as he could in the pandemic, is self-isolating after being alerted by the Test & Trace app. Remember that? Guess it's still live then. Wait. He's only got to isolate until Sunday? Guess Test &  Trace is live, but still pretty pants then.
As Matt doesn't have a frontline role and everything is shut, this may mean he wasn't careful, didn't socially distance and didn't attempt to protect the NHS. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK News and Briefing Update 18th January 2021.

"The development and approval of safe and effective vaccines less than a year after the emergence of a new virus is a stunning scientific achievement, and a much-needed source of hope.
Vaccines are the shot in the arm we all need - literally and figuratively.
The recent emergence of rapidly-spreading variants makes the rapid and equitable rollout of vaccines all the more important.
But we now face the real danger that even as vaccines bring hope to some, they become another brick in the wall of inequality between the world’s haves and have-nots.
It’s right that all governments want to prioritize vaccinating their own health workers and older people first.
But it’s not right that younger, healthier adults in rich countries are vaccinated before health workers and older people in poorer countries.
There will be enough vaccine for everyone. But right now, we must work together as one global family to prioritize those most at risk of severe diseases and death, in all countries."
Dr Tedros, Head of the World Health Organisation 

Yesterday the UK Government announced a £269m boost to the Social Care sector:
- New £120million fund for local authorities to boost staffing levels
- £149million grant system to support increased testing in care homes
The £120m fund for local authorities is in addition to the £149 million announced in December, which will be used to support rapid testing of staff testing and facilitate visits from family and friends where possible. All funding will be available from next month.
"Around 40 per cent of people aged 80 and over and a quarter of older care home residents have now received their first vaccine dose. By the end of next week we aim to have offered a jab to all care home residents and staff."

The UK Government has announced the invitations to have a vaccination are now being sent out to people over 70 and extremely clinically vulnerable people. 

The second week of May is Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK, and while I think we are all a lot more aware of how common mental health problems are, they're impossible to measure and rarely have a simple fix.

I'm working in a paid collaboration with Tempur, the people who make those incredibly comfortable squidgy mattresses, and they commissioned a Mental Health And Sleep Survey looking into the effect quality of sleep has on mental health and wellbeing. We all now know that our mental health is as important as our physical health and needs to be looked after, but how does sleep, and the quality or lack of it, affect us?


Physically, lack of good quality sleep gives us eye bags, it makes us crave carbohydrates and we store more fat. which can lead to weight gain. Among other things it affects growth hormones, testosterone and insulin levels, blood pressure and repair systems in the body. Not getting enough sleep can make you heavier and it can make you ill, and you'll stay ill for longer and find it harder to lose weight.

Mentally, lack of good quality sleep has a huge effect too. We know the obvious signs, we are tired, irritable and grumpy. Lack of sleep also makes it harder for us to learn and remember, it's responsible for lack of libido and motivation. We can feel hungry, clumsy and down, even depressed.

We've all been there, and those days that start like that never do seem to get any better...

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 16th / 17th January 2021.

The UK added 38,598 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,395,959 positive cases of COVID-19. 

Up until midnight last night we had vaccinated 3,857,266 people with at least their first dose. 

37,475 people were in hospital on Thursday 14th, with 3,789 using a ventilator on Friday 15th January. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 671 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days. We now very sadly have a total of 89,261 officially reported losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 169,780 cases and 2,595 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 95,173,803 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,034,893. Already 67,938,678 people have recovered.

“We are in the final stages of the coronavirus. Israel, with the scale of its vaccine drive, is showing the world that there is an exit strategy.”
Ronni Gamzu, Israel’s previous COVID Czar and the director of Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, after a clear drop in hospitalisations among immunised groups. 

I reckon UK studies have discovered something about how people are catching COVID, because the messaging is clearly changing. We are being reminded to wash our hands, and we are being asked not to handle anything in shops unless you intend to buy it. Remember kids "you look with your eyes". 

I'm a day late with the smiles this month. Life got in the way, or more precisely intermittent Internet and my eldest son's birthday. I could have worked till after the young boys were in bed, and finished the post last night, but sometimes other things are more important.

I think we're all better at picking out exactly what's important now. We've spent a year learning what has been essential for our wellbeing, and what we can manage without. We have definitely realised the value of people in our lives, and not only those we love the most. Humans need other humans, even if just to say "hello" as you pass by each other in the street. 

This time of year can be hard any time, during a pandemic virus there's a high chance it's more so. The lights and sparkly decorations are down, but it's still gloomy and dark most of the day. We're a bit bored of anything with marzipan or crackers, but picnics in the sunshine are a long way off. With Christmas gone, we have a long stretch ahead before Summer, and it can all feel a bit directionless and droll. Under lockdown that's amplified by about a bazillion. Don't you dare lose hope...

While the UK admittedly is in a pretty dire position right now, but it's exactly NOT the time to feel it's pointless. We can see the light at the end of Jonathan Van Dam's tunnel. We ARE going to be in a completely different position by Easter. Spring shoots and NHS jabs bring with them new hope. We WILL get a Summer, and next Christmas will feature far more humans. 

Don't just sit it out, that always makes it last longer. Watch for Spring coming. Listen to those birds, squawking now to alert everyone else to a feast or a threat, but very soon they'll be looking for tufts of dry grass to nest. The insects are in hiding, but more closely you see cobwebs and miniature non-stop worlds. The trees are bare and the colours are gone from the garden, but the sprouts and greens of new life are already beginning. Take a moment to enjoy the freshness after the rain, the crisp cold of an early morning, and the warmth of the sun on your face in a gap through the cloud. We have hope. 

You can see the hope shining through in the smiles this month, and a huge thank you to everyone who joined in and shared theirs on Instagram with the hashtag #tbcsmiles. EVERYONE is welcome to join in. Any smile shared is a smile that makes more smiles, and that is always a good thing... 

Here are just 9 of the biggest smiles from the last month, and a special mention for all of you with the matching Christmas pyjamas! They may be irrefutably cheesy, but heck, if it's a reason to make sure you get a great photo of yourself every year, it's a definite win. 

The above smiles, chuckles and giggles were shared by the following Instagrammers: 

My family made our own smiles too. Christmas was very special for us, as it was the first time in a year that our London Uni student was even able to come home, and the first time the rest of the kids have been able to get together since Spring. To have all of our children in one place laughing and chatting was something we'll never take for granted again... 

From all of us here at The Brick Castle. We can, and we will, get through this, and maybe we will learn some lessons about humanity along the way. 2021 will start badly, but it WILL get better. May our 2021 be substantially better than our 2020. Best wishes for the new year. 

It can be an especially hard time to cope with. Don't be alone. If you are struggling, there is always someone you can talk to. If you can talk to someone you know, please do. We're all struggling a bit this year, you may find more support than you imagined possible. Likewise, check in on your mates. 

If you don't understand why you should stay, here are Five Reasons Why You Shouldn't Decide To Leave This Christmas Or In The period Thereafter.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 15th January 2021.

Yesterday the UK abacus was broken, and they didn't release any numbers until very late. In the end the UK added 48,682 cases and another 1,248 people were reported as losing their lives. 

The UK added 55,761 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,316,019 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 695,148 tests yesterday. 

37,282 people were in hospital on Wednesday 13th (up from 31,624 a week earlier). There were 3,672 people using a ventilator yesterday, 14th January (up from 2,929 a week earlier).  

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 1,280 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days. We now very sadly have a total of 87,295 officially reported losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 166,548 (+3,491) cases and 2,536 (+48) losses of life. 

There have now been a total of 93,861,080 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 has passed a very sad milestone and is over 2 million people. COVID has taken 2,009,441 lives. Already 67,029,564 people have recovered.

There was some terror and excitement today because Professor Wendy Barclay, a UK Government advisor, mentioned the UK had already seen cases of the Brazilian variant. She later clarified that there are 2 distinct Brazilian lineages of virus, but it's only the new one which is a variant of concern, and we haven't yet found any cases in the UK.
It certainly woke everyone up. 

The UK is in a bit of a disastrous place regarding the whole COVID thing right now, hopefully it will never look any worse than this. Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson hosted a UK briefing which was always going to be grim watching. He was accompanied by Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance - the new triumvirate of the UK COVID response. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 13th / 14th January 2021.

UK official data is broken today. I'll seamlessly edit it in and add it in the comments when it is published, but there have been 48,682 more positive cases in the latest 24 hour reporting period.
A "data processing issue" is to blame according to Public Health England.

Rep. Of Ireland 159,144 cases and 2,460 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 93,229,269 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 1,994,359. Already 66,549,524 people have recovered.

There are now 3 "lineages of concern" or mutated variants which we have to keep an eye on - well, really it's mostly the scientists keeping an eye on them.  

1) - The UK variant B.1.1.1 which has now been located in at least 51 countries, and is the most populous strain in the UK,  and rising fast in Denmark. This strain has 2 important mutations - N501Y spike protein mutation, and a double deletion or missing part of the code at points H69 and V70. We believe this makes it around 50-70% more transmissible and removes an attack option for most current vaccines, but shouldn't make them less effective overall.

2) - The South African variant B.1.351/ 501Y.V2 has an identical gap in it's programming to the UK variant (69/70 deletion), the spike protein N501Y and a couple of other spike mutations. One of the other mutations, E484K was shown to 'escape' natural antibodies in a single patient, so it is a bit worrying and trials are ongoing to check it isn't resistant to vaccines. Like the UK variant, it is assumed to be more transmissible, but not more personally deadly.  It has been spotted in at least 16 countries, but is far less prevalent than the UK strain at the moment.

3) - The Brazilian variant P1 (20J/501Y.V3.) was first discovered in 4 travellers returning to Japan from Brazil, and has since been found in several Brazilian cases.
"We have detected a new variant circulating in December in Manaus, Amazonas state, north Brazil, where very high attack rates have been estimated previously. The new lineage, named P.1 (descendent of B.1.1.28), contains a unique constellation of lineage defining mutations, including several mutations of known biological importance such as E484K, K417T, and N501Y."
Because it has the same N501Y spike protein mutation as the other two, the obvious worry is that it is also likely to be more transmissible.
Because it has E484K like the South African variant, it is also being watched incredibly carefully until we are sure current vaccines will do the job.
No-one seems willing to say publicly yet what they believe K417T is likely to do, but it is another spike protein of concern.
(Remember vaccines can easily be tweaked, but it takes about 6 weeks plus the time, cost and resources needed to manufacture and distribute new vaccines). 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 11th / 12th January 2021 and UK Briefing.

There have now been a total of 91,634,529 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 1,960,988. Already more than 65,522,842 people have recovered.

Priti Patel, Home Secretary, was the choice for today's UK briefing - presumably because she's terrifying and she wanted to tell us all off. If you break lockdown she'll personally come round and bark at you until you cry. Goddit? Good. Anyway, I digress.
Alongside were Dr Vin Diwakar, Regional Medical Director for London and Martin Hewitt, Chair of Police Chiefs.
Priti started by giving an update on the current situation.
As of today, 2,431,648 people have been vaccinated with at least 1 dose across the UK.
45,533 new cases were reported today.
As of 10th January, 35,075 people are in hospital with COVID, up 22% on this time last week.
83,203 people have now been officially reported as lost within 28 days of a COVID test, including another 1,243 today.

45,000 fixed penalty notices have been issued to people breaching Coronavirus Regulations. 

Police and local councils have now been asked to be strict, and more tightly enforce the regulations. It will save lives. Priti talks about the fact that Police, Fire Service staff etc. are there to help the most in need, and shouldn't have to face danger from the public when going about their job.
Martin Policeman talks about working WITH the public, and says a stubborn minority don't seem to want to prevent COVID. "Ten months on, the rules are clear, and I urge everyone to abide by them."

"We should all be asking ourselves, whether our reason to leave home is truly essential?"

They are guiding officers to be stricter, and more officers will be out on dedicated patrols to find people who are letting the rest of us down. He gives examples:
A Hampshire boat party for 40 people (who all paid £30 a ticket).
A minibus full going from Cheltenham to Wales for a walk
A party which claimed to be a business event
Illegal raves
The wearing of face coverings on public transport will also be more tightly enforced. You can expect a fine if you have no legitimate medical reason not to wear a mask.