COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 3rd / 4th February 2021.

The UK added 20,634 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,892,459 positive cases of COVID-19.
We completed 801,949 tests yesterday.

10,490,487 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night.
501,957 people have received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

31,670 people were in hospital on Tuesday 2nd, with 3,625 using a ventilator yesterday, 3rd February.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 915 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 110,250 losses of life in all settings.

UK Nation / Cases / Losses of life / Losses per 100,000 population
Wales 194,525 / 6,313 / 200.2
Scotland 183,418 / 7,899 / 144.6
Northern Ireland 105,637 / 2,310 / 122
England 3,408,879 / 96,102 / 170.7

Rep. Of Ireland 199,430 cases and 3,512 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 105,140,552 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,284,417. Already 76,854,309 people have recovered.

For reference:
- COVID 19 - standard COVID
- UK/Kent COVID variant 'B117' - catchier, may be slightly more deadly, small resistance to vaccines/antibodies. Widespread throughout the UK and found in around 40 countries already.
- South African variant B135.1 - very much like UK variant plus mutation E484K, which gives a chunk more resistance to vaccines/antibodies
- Mutated UK/Kent COVID variant - UK variant plus E484K, so incredibly similar to the South African variant.
- Brazilian variant P1 - we still know very little in reality. Looks in a lab very much like the South African variant, with bonus potential for evil.

UK Coronavirus Briefing 3rd Feb 2021

Cases: 3,871,825 (+19,202)
Loss of life: 109,335 (+1,322)
In hospital: 32,851 (1st Feb)
Using a ventilator: 3,638 (2nd Feb)
1st Dose Vaccine: 10,021,471
Fully vaccinated: 498,962

We've vaccinated over 10m people (whoot!), with 1 dose (ahhh). It is really impressive, far beyond the rest of Europe.

Scotland have said that some of their youngest children will begin a phased return to school after the half term break. 

Boris started by talking about Captain Sir Tom Moore.
He says the NHS were the right choice for Sir Tom to support. In order to get the vaccines into the arms of people in the UK, we need the support of masses of people, but in the end, it is the NHS we need.
We have now vaccinated over 10m people across the UK, including offering jabs to every eligible care home, and vaccinating almost 90% of the people aged 75% in England. 

New research out today supports other data and looks good. The vaccine kicks in by around 3 weeks, and lasts well through to 3 months when people have their 2nd jab.
Excitingly the data suggests that among vaccinated populations transmission to others really seems reduced by quite a high amount - possibly up to 2/3 less. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 1st / 2nd February 2021.

The UK added 16,840 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,852,623 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 643,204 tests yesterday. 

The counter says 9,646,715 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night, with 496,796 fully vaccinated (2 doses). 

32,466 people were in hospital on Sunday 31st Jan, with 3,726 using a ventilator yesterday, 1st February. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 1,449 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 108,013 losses of life in all settings.

ONS report that up until 22nd January, 112,660 people had COVID as a cause on their death certificate. 

Rep. Of Ireland 198,424 (+871) cases and 3,418 (+101) losses of life.

There have now been a total of 104,158,113 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,255,156. Already 75,971,288 people have recovered.

Scotland's lockdown will be extended:
"Lockdown restrictions have been extended following this week's review.
Current lockdown measures will stay in place across mainland Scotland and some island communities until at least the end of February."

You know how we didn't really want mutations on top of mutations? And that could be a not very good thing? I have some bad news... 

UK Briefing 1st Feb 2021 (and some UK background news).
Cases 3,835,783 (+18,607)
Losses of Life 106,564 (+406)
In hospital 34,783 (28th Jan)
Using a ventilator 3,832 (29th Jan)

11 people in the UK with no known travel links have tested positive for the South African variant. This is similar to the UK's more transmissible variant, but may possibly be more resistant to vaccines, so we don't really want it to spread any further while we check that one out. It affects 8 postcode areas:
W7, N17 and CR4 in London
WS2 in Walsall
ME15 in Kent
EN10 in Hertfordshire
GU21 in Surrey and
PR9 in Lancashire.
Local residents will be offered door-to-door testing whether they have symptoms or not, and some proper contact tracing is underway.
Matt Hancock has expressed an urge to eradicate this from the UK asap (and everyone else in the world agrees). 

We have started vaccinating, and mixing together COVID and vaccinations means only the really resilient and robust virus survives - the mutations that came out slightly different, but it turned out to be a biological advantage (like redheads making some of their own vitamin D). The South African variant looks IN A LAB like it might be up to 30-50% more resilient to some of the vaccines and antibodies people have, but without sequencing (basically a virus 'DNA test', except with virus it's 'RNA') to see exactly what happens, no-one can be certain exactly what occurs in the real world. The number of cases in the UK is currently still too huge to sequence every case - although we are legitimately world beating at this. We can do about 6% (and that'll rise as case numbers get smaller). 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 30th / 31st January 2021.

The UK added 21,088 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,817,176 positive cases of COVID-19. 

he counter says 8,977,329 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 491,053 have received both doses. We have vaccinated 5out of every 6 people aged 80 or older, and 2 out of every 3 people aged 75-89. 

34,783 people were in hospital on Thursday 28th Jan, with 3,832 using a ventilator on Friday 29th January. . 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 587 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 106,158 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 196,547 (+1,244) cases and 3,307 (+15) losses of life.

There have now been a total of 103,345,761 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,233,676. Already 74,951,851 people have recovered.

It was exactly a year ago yesterday that the World Health Organisation declared a PHEIC - the highest level of alert they are actually in a position to declare under international law. COVID, or the Novel Coronavirus, became a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The year was marked by Dr Tedros, the Head of WHO.
"In the outbreak’s first two weeks, WHO issued wide-ranging guidance to stem the spread, care for patients and equip healthworkers.
The WHO helped scientists publish the first PCR tests days after Chinese scientists shared the genetic sequence of the virus. This led to the rapid development and rollout of tests and the promise offered today by the lifesaving potential of COVID19 vaccines.
We have since witnessed tragic milestones as the world has passed more than 2 million deaths and over 100 million confirmed cases of what we call today COVID19.
When we succeed, we will be on track to bring the COVID19 pandemic under control, and by this time next January, we will find all countries and communities of the world on a healthier, safer and more sustainable path for the future."
WHO move very slowly, and when your adrenaline is running, that seems even slower. They NEVER declare anything fact unless it is beyond all doubt. They have a huge responsibility and some countries with poor health infrastructure rely almost solely on the WHO to look after billions of people. Over the past year they have received masses of abuse for their inaction, but all the information was out there. We knew Asia was taking it incredibly seriously, and a lot of Western nations took the view they were over-reacting. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 28th / 29th January 2021.

The UK added 29,079 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,772,813 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 753,031 tests yesterday. 

The counter says 7,891,184 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 478,254 people have been fully vaccinated.

35,375 people were in hospital on Wednesday 27th, with 3,918 using a ventilator yesterday, 28th Jan. 

The UK mortality data is delayed. It's likely to be very high. 

Rep. Of Ireland 193,892 (+1,247) cases and 3,214 (+47) losses of life.

There have now been a total of 102,351,668 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,207,195. Already 74,075,477 people have recovered.

As anticipated yesterday, the EU have said member states are free to decide to ban export of vaccines if they wish, until all member states have their orders in hand (or arm). This really is no surprise. The entire world is desperate for vaccines, there are delays, everyone's a bit desperate and scared. It may affect the UK - we've been getting deliveries from Belgium, but it's unlikely to really disturb us for a few weeks yet. At this moment we are vaccine confident.
The UK restricted exports of medicines and vaccines 'intended for domestic supply' a couple of days ago - and then announced another vaccine manufacturing plant in Scotland.
It's still at the squabbling stage, but it'll be some luck if no fights break out. 

Talking of vaccinations, there could barely have been more vaccine news today.... you ready? 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 27th / 28th January 2021.

The UK added 28,680 cases today (DOWN from 37,892 a week earlier) and now has reported a total of 3,743,734 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 771,710 tests yesterday. 

7,447,199 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 476,298 people are fully vaccinated (2 doses). 

36,931 people were in hospital on 26th Jan, (DOWN from 38,176 a week earlier), with 3,937 using a ventilator yesterday, 27th January (DOWN slightly from 3,953 a week earlier).  

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 1,239 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 103,126 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 191,182 cases and 3,120 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 101,700,539 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,191,160. Already 73,526,780 people have recovered.

Michael Gove was on telly this morning, insisting that the UK vaccine supply is secure, despite some mumbles from the EU that they want to restrict it (as we have already vaccinated more people than they have and it's likely we have enough supply, in hand or pending, to vaccinate everyone over 50 by Summer).
The EU's supplies of Pfizer / Biontech and Moderna vaccinations aren't quite going to arrive at the planned speed, and last week AstraZeneca announced they had manufacturing problems and needed to cut the EU's planned delivery by 60%. If I was the EU, I'd be frustrated too. Government Inspectors have even been sent into the Belgian AstraZeneca plant to check they aren't hiding vaccines.
There are calls across the EU for limits on exports, and I honestly wouldn't be at all surprised if it happens. Who can really blame them? We're all a bit scared right now. There are already 2 manufacturing plants churning out the Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine in the UK, so we do not rely solely on imports. 

UK COVID Briefing 27th Jan 2021 

I saw this one coming. 2 big announcements:

- some arrivals to the UK will have to stay in 'Quarantine Hotels'. These are commonplace worldwide, you have to pay yourself, and it keeps closer tabs on what you're up to. Initially it seems it will be for countries designated 'hotspots'.

- schools will not be going to back to being open to all pupils for in-person learning until at least 8th March 

UK Data:
Cases 3,715,054 (+25,308)
Losses of life within 28 days of a positive test result 101,887 (+1,725)
In-patients 37,605 (25th Jan)
People using a ventilator 3,961 (26th Jan)
Vaccinations 1st dose 7,164,387
Fully vaccinated 474,156
Losses of life with COVID on the death certificate 103,602 (15th Jan)

Today's UK briefing was with Boris, Patrick Vallance and Jonathan Van Tam.

Boris started by saying he shares the frustration, stress and anxiety of teachers, parents and students. The ambition IS to get children back to school as soon as possible, but we only want to open schools when we can be sure it won't cause a huge surge in cases. Then Boris tells us schools are safe - then follows with 'by definition they bring together many households'.
(I think we all realise just how 'safe' it is possible to make UK schools, and it's not ideal.)

Boris talks about the number of people in hospital and the pressure on the NHS. We have reported our second highest ever daily loss of life today.
He says we need to see lowering of cases, hospitalisations, and the effect of the vaccines before we can begin to talk about easing restrictions.

 COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 25th / 26th January 2021.

We have some incredibly sad milestones today.
The UK has now officially lost over 100,000 people to COVID (that's likely to be around 117,000 in reality due to reporting lags).
The world has lost over 2 million people to COVID (2,157,652)
Over 100 million cases have been reported (100,551,052)

UK Cases: 3,689,746 (+20,089)
Losses of life 100,162 (+1,631)
Hospitalisations 37,561 (on 24th Jan)
Using a ventilator 4,032 (on 25th Jan)
Single dose of a vaccine: 6,853,327
Fully vaccinated: 472,446

Rep. Of Ireland 188,923 cases and 2,977 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

"It’s hard to compute the sorrow contained in that grim statistic. The years of life lost."
Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister.

Today's ONS (Office for National Statistics) figures up to 15th January 2021 are indeed grim statistic:
"Of all deaths registered in Week 2 (8-15 Jan), 40.2% mentioned COVID-19; this is the highest proportion of deaths involving COVID-19 that has been recorded during the pandemic."
From the beginning of 2020 onwards:
"Using the most up-to-date data we have available, the number of deaths up to 15 January 2021 was 649,889, which is 84,809 more than the five-year average. Of the deaths registered by 15 January 2021, 94,971 mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate."

COVID UK News and Briefing 25th Jan 2021.

Vaccinations so far: 6,573,570 1 dose / 470,478 fully vaccinated
Cases: 3,669,658 (+22,195 today)
Losses of life: 98,531 (+592 today)
Hospital in-patients: 37,899
Ventilated people: 4,076

Today's UK briefing was with the reserve team. Matt Hancock, Health Minister, and alongside  Dr Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (England), and Susan Hopkins of Public Health England. In the last week we've had 37,258 new cases each day on average.

Matt thanks NHS and emergency staff for their never ending effort, including ambulance staff who came forward to help Scotland at the weekend.

The rise in the number of cases is slowing, and falling in some places (Scotland. London).

As of last night 78.8% of over 80's have been vaccinated at least once.

Our worry is supply, we believe the NHS will be able to vaccinate people as quick as we can get vaccines. Right now supply is okay, but "tight" (there have been some world shortages of some components/syringes/glass vials). Today new vaccination centres opened at places including Blackpool Winter Gardens, the Francis Crick Institute and the Black Country Museum.

6.6m people have received a vaccine, over 1 in 9 of the adult population, more than 250 a minute over the last week.

Matt thanks the 80,000 people, including volunteers, who have made the vaccination programme work. Cheers guys!

He reminds us vaccination takes time to work, and we still aren't sure whether you'll be able to pass it on to other people. PLEASE continue to follow the rules even after you've been vaccinated.

He talks about the UK variant, and the other variants from Brazil and South Africa. We should be extra careful. There is evidence that they MAY be more deadly. There is mounting evidence they ARE more transmissible (catchy).

"We must be cautious. For all of us, our response must be extra careful. Stay at home, maintain social distancing. We've all frankly sacrificed too much, and it's so important that we protect lives. We're making progress with the vaccine. The end is in sight. We cannot put that progress at risk... There's a promise of better days that lie ahead. We have to hold our nerve and persevere through this difficult Winter. So, it's incumbent on us all, wherever possible, to Stay Home, Protect Lives, Save The NHS."

Public asked how close we are to herd immunity. Susan says 1 in 10 is far away from herd immunity. "We should not be focussing on catching the infection, and the consequences of that getting us out of this situation". (Go Susan!).
Jenny reminds us that we don't even know if immunity via catching COVID will be long-lasting.

Public asked if the Tiering will look the same in future - Susan says they'll look at hospitalisations, deaths etc (we have the highest number of people in hospital ever today, it's still rising, but more slowly). Tiering will be different if the science says so. 

First press asked "when will it end?". Matt is clearly so bored of the "are we nearly there yet?" and can't believe it's already occurring right now, when we're in the middle of the disaster. He honestly should just tell her "not yet" and move on to someone with a real question. Instead he again politely says it can't be guessed.
Jenny reiterates we are in the poo pile right now. Stop asking when it'll end. It's not today. She also says we need to think about increased admittance to hospital because of the cold and the ice, and we need to watch and see the effect of vaccination. 

Press asked about the new variants. Sue says we need to keep an eye on them - Moderna had a press release earlier today (see below) and all vaccines should work well against the UK variant, but data isn't yet ready to publish. They aren't seeing any problems in monitoring.
They are already working on building new vaccines against variations that we suspect might become prevalent.
Jenny says even if new variants affect vaccines, they shouldn't just suddenly render them useless, it'll just reduce efficacy.

Matt got a bit sniffy about someone calling B117 the "UK variant". He says he'd rather describe it as "the variant originally discovered in the UK". He can keep trying, but I think he's fighting a losing battle with that one... 

Several questions from press about the UK's travel bans and quarantines - there are rumours the UK is likely to introduce "quarantine hotels". They are commonplace worldwide and an easy way to keep tabs on new arrivals. Matt repeats several times that it's actually illegal to attempt to leave the UK without good reason. 

Press asked what proportion of people are turning down vaccination - it's tiny. It was around 1% last I saw. Matt doesn't seem to actually know, but he talks about Yateley in Hampshire, which has already vaccinated 98% of over 80's. He says he's thrilled, and thanks "serious UK media outlets" for their support. (Gosh, thanks Matt... ). Jenny thanks faith leaders for reassuring congregation, and explaining the vaccination to their communities. 

We see no signals that treatments are affected by the new variant. Dexamethasone and other therapeutics are still working at the same rate, and are effective at reducing mortality. Everyone who is admitted and needs oxygen receives Dexamethasone says Susan. 

Matt is asked about the 'United' Kingdom and advocates all staying together because we're stronger together. We have the 3rd fastest vaccine rollout in the world (1st is Israel - are supplying data to everyone worldwide, and 2nd is UAE - are bloody loaded). He says sharing of resources around the UK is a huge bonus and being united allows us to do this. 

I have a SCAM WARNING for you. No-one is being selected for vaccinations because of genetics or 'family history'.  If you get a test or email telling you so, it's fake. DON'T click on links, and definitely DON'T enter your details. Always remember - the NHS are not going to charge you for vaccination, and they already have your details. 

We are getting somewhere. Keep hope, and patience. Back tomorrow with the usual report... 

Thanks to https://twitter.com/RP131 for the charts.