COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 6th /7th February 2021.

The UK added 15,845 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,945,680 positive cases of COVID-19. 

The counter says 12,014,288 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 511,447 people had received both doses and are fully vaccinated. 

29,326 people were in hospital on Thursday 4th, with 3,505 using a ventilator on Friday 5th February. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 373 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 112,465 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 203,568 (+1,020) cases and 3,686 (+12) losses of life.

There have now been a total of 106,515,969 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,323,940. Already 78,183,869 people have recovered.

EE will help any UK child who is struggling to access or cannot access education, by giving them or their grown up unlimited data until July. You can access this through their teachers, so get in touch with school. Teachers can find out more by searching EE Lockdown Learning. 

UK Vaccines Minister Nahdim Zahawi has said on telly this morning that he is confident we have enough vaccines, and are vaccinating quickly enough, to meet both the Mid-February target for the first 3 priority groups, and the 'end of May' target for the first 9 priority groups - basically healthcare frontline, vulnerable and everyone over 50.
Ideally we would then go on immediately to vaccinate everyone else - but we do have a moral and humanitarian obligation to help ensure the world's healthcare workers and most vulnerable people are protected - so it's likely the UK supply of vaccines may hit a pause at this point. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 5th February 2021.

The UK added 19,114 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,911,573 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 783,851 tests yesterday. 

The counter says 10,971,047 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 505,993 have been fully vaccinated (2 doses).

30,508 people were in hospital on Wednesday 3rd (down from 35,375 the same time last week), with 2,847 using a ventilator yesterday, 4th February (down considerably from 3,918 a week earlier). 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 1,014 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 111,264 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 201,763 (+1,019) cases and 3,621 (+35) losses of life. 

There have now been a total of 105,668,451 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,301,054. Already 77,320,509 people have recovered.

I told you yesterday that German vaccine manufacturer CureVac were working on 'next generation' COVID vaccines. They are still going through phase 3 mass human trials of their first generation COVID vaccine, and can tweak their recipe the same way flu vaccines are tweaked. Clearly trials must be going okay, and the UK is clearly now at risk of those more resilient E484K mutations spreading, and is attempting to future-proof our vaccine stock. Today they announced we have bought into CureVac and are hoping to manufacture it in the UK - if necessary:
"...the UK has placed an initial order for 50 million doses of new vaccines to be delivered later this year if they are required".

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.