COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update and UK COVID Briefing 7th May 2021.

The UK added 2,490 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,431,043 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,067,566 tests yesterday.

The counter says 35,069,641 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 16,764,720 people had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

1,231 people were in hospital on 5th May, with 163 people using a ventilator yesterday, 6th May.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 15 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 127,598 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 251,904 (+430) cases and 4,921 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 157,283,915 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,277,583. Already 134,604,833 people have recovered.

2/3 of adults in the UK have now had at least 1 dose of a COVID vaccine. Nice one everyone. Mine's tomorrow.

Today's surge testing roulette wheel has landed on parts of London, and Bolton BL3. Congratulations, you win a doorstep visit from Test & Trace, and a free PCR test (yes, they are all free).

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 5th / 6th May 2021.

The UK added 2,613 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,428,553 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,214,619 tests yesterday.

The counter says 34,934,171 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 16,291,719 people had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

1,289 people were in hospital on Tuesday 4th May (and Alistair McLellan of the HSJ has just said that today we have less than 1,000 COVID positive patients in English hospitals for the first time since 17th September 2020). 182 people were using a ventilator yesterday, 5th May.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 13 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 127,583 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 251,087 cases and 4,915 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 156,439,818 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,263,783. Already 133,822,156 people have recovered.

The UK are not employing any surge testing against Indian variants, despite saying that they were. The three B1617 strains are "variants under investigation" (VUI) as opposed to "variants of concern" (VOC) and only qualify for a bit of extra contact testing.
Dr Christina Pagel, director of the Clinical Operational Research at University College London, and member of indieSAGE, is among those pointing out this is a weeny bit more casual than we'd like.
"Do we have definitive evidence that B1617.2 is more transmissible? No
But honestly I think canaries are chirping - we know it's in the community (from Sanger) and we should act to contain right now while numbers manageable."
It looks like community transmission may already be responsible for around 25% of Indian variant no.2 cases in the UK - according to the data from the Sangar Institute. We simply haven't managed to contain it yet.  

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

The UK added 1,946 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,423,796 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,069,724 tests yesterday.

The counter says 34,667,904 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 15,630,007 people had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 4 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 127,543 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 250,290 cases and 4,906 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 154,676,421 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,233,394. Already 132,137,421 people have recovered.

"More cases of COVID19 have been reported globally in the past two weeks than during the first six months of the pandemic.
India and Brazil account for more than half of last week’s COVID19 cases, but there are many other countries all over the world that face a very fragile situation."
DrTedros, head of WHO.

In the next step of the UK roadmap (no earlier than May 17th), restrictions on the numbers of mourners at funerals will be lifted.
The venue will still have to follow COVID safety guidelines, so won't be able to fill any indoor space to capacity, but many services will be able to accommodate more than 30 people, and obviously we have the outdoors.
I'm truly sorry to everyone for whom this has come too late. Please ensure you do take the time to properly mourn, and say goodbye. 

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

The UK added 1,671 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,420,201 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,072,576 tests yesterday.

The counter says 34,505,380 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 15,329,617 people had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

1,451 people were in hospital on Thursday 29th April, with 185 people using a ventilator on Friday 30th April.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 14 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 127,538 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 249,838 (+401) cases and 4,906 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 153,341,770 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,212,745. Already 130,640,571 people have recovered.

In Wales:
From Monday 3 May, gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools can open. Children and adults can take part in indoor organised activities. Your household can choose one other household to meet indoors, becoming an extended household. 

Several times now the public have asked questions at the UK/English COVID briefings, and the Government have clearly listened and acted in response. Last week someone asked about Care Home residents being allowed out more often, they made incredibly sensible, science-based points, and voila.... In England:
"From Tuesday 4 May, residents will be able to leave their care homes to visit a friend or family member’s garden, or go on walks in places such as parks, public gardens and beaches. They will not have to self-isolate when they return.
Residents must be accompanied by either a care worker, or nominated visitor, and follow the government guidelines of washing hands regularly, keeping social distance, and remaining outside, in line with step 2 of the roadmap.
The changes come as the data shows cases continuing to fall, meaning it is now much safer for care home residents, who are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19, to leave their homes. Keeping visits outdoors will ensure any risk is minimised as much as possible."

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 30th April 2021.

The UK added 2,381 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,416,623 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,072,576 tests yesterday.

The counter says 34,216,087 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 14,532,875 people had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

1,497 people were in hospital on Wednesday 28th, with 196 using a ventilator yesterday, 29th April.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 15 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 127,517 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 248,326 cases and 4,899 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 151,726,543 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,186,785. Already 129,047,164 people have recovered.

If you're aged 40 or over, or if you turn 40 before 1 July 2021, in England you can now book your COVID-19 vaccine.
Go to NHS dot UK to book at a larger centre, hopefully near you. If you cannot get to a larger centre, your GP should contact you (mine did not) about a more local appointment. (For anyone who saw my grumbling on Twitter last week, I have now booked an appointment at the centre down the road from me, as opposed to the previous best offers as far away as Sheffield).

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

The UK added 2,445 cases today (higher than the last few days, but still lower than 2,729 this time last week) and now has reported a total of 4,414,242 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,360,719 tests yesterday.

The counter says 34,094,048 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 14,043,961 people had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

1,553 people were in hospital on Tuesday 27th (down from 1,915 a week earlier), with 208 using a ventilator yesterday, 28th April.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 22 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 127,502 losses of life in all settings.

According to ONS figures, up until Friday 16th April, 151,243 people had COVID listed as a cause on their death certificate.

Country / Losses of Life / Losses per 100,000 of the population:
Wales: 7,821 / 248.1 (roughly 1 in every 403)
Scotland: 10,039 / 183.8 (roughly 1 in every 544)
Northern Ireland: 2,941 / 155.3 (roughly 1 in every 645)
England: 129,394 / 229.9 (roughly 1 in every 435)

Rep. Of Ireland 248,326 (+469) cases and 4,899 (+3) losses of life.

There have now been a total of over one hundred and fifty million officially reported cases worldwide - 150,794,093. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,171,081. Already 128,239,456 people have recovered.

"India needs our support and solidarity.
I’m very grateful to France, Italy, Austria, Finland and Ireland for sending oxygen, medical equipment such as ventilators and COVID medication under our European Union Civil Protection Mechanism.
We are in this together."
Ursula Von Der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
(Ireland is sending 395 ventilators and at least 1 oxygen generator.)

COVID UK Briefing 28th April 2021 with Matt Hancock

Cases: 4,411,797 (+2,166)
Losses of life: 127,480 (+29)
In hospital: 1,634
Using a ventilator: 227

A couple of important points have come out today:

Northern Ireland First Minister and DUP Leader Arlene Foster is going to step down.

The Electoral Commission are going to investigate Boris' £200,000 Downing Street flat refurbishment.

The EU have approved the Brexit trade deal.
(Ahhhh. Now it makes sense. "Stooge, your work here is done. Move aside...." [you know I'm right].)

Transport Minister Grant Shapps confirmed earlier today on Sky telly that the UK will use an app. as an International COVID Passport.
"In terms of vaccine certification, I can confirm we are working on an NHS application, actually it will be the NHS app that is used for people when they book appointments with the NHS and so on, to be able to show you've had a vaccine, or you've had testing."
(I'm presuming there will also be a paper version for people who do not use a smartphone. Hold onto your NHS COVID vaccination card.)

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 26th / 27th April 2021.

The UK added 2,685 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,409,631 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,034,181 tests yesterday.

The counter says 33,843,580 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 13,201,811 people had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

1,608 people were in hospital on Sunday 25th (down from 1,973 a week earlier), with 227 using a ventilator yesterday, 26th April (down from 318 a week earlier).

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 17 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 127,451 losses of life in all settings.
Up until Friday 9th April, 151,243 people in the UK had COVID listed as a cause on their death certificate.

Rep. Of Ireland 247,489 (+420) cases and 4,884 (+10) losses of life.

There have now been a total of 148,988,111 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,140,683. Already 126,694,173 people have recovered.

"A quarter of UK adults have received 2 doses of a COVID vaccine, giving them maximum protection against the virus.
This is a huge achievement made possible by the tireless work of so many across our country.
Please keep coming forward to get vaccinated when you are called."
Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister. 

Public Health England and the University of Warwick have crunched some numbers regarding how many people we've saved so far by vaccinations:
"By the end of March 2021, it is estimated that 9,100 deaths were averted in individuals aged 80 years and older, 1,200 in individuals aged 70 to 79 and 100 in individuals aged 60 to 69 years giving a total of 10,400 deaths averted in individuals aged 60 years or older."
We've had another month on top of that now. Good stuff. 

Oliver's Kitchen sell cookware that is elegant and simple, easy to clean and use, and which will hopefully encourage the whole family to cook and enjoy food together. They have sent me a bundle to review - and I am genuinely incredibly happy with them, so I'm delighted to say I'll be giving the same away to my readers too! 

Oliver's Kitchen are a family business, and family cooking is their thing. The first thing that struck me was how elegantly attractive their products are, with shiny metal surfaces, black rubber trim and classic style - and all very well designed. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 24th / 25th April 2021.

The UK added 1,712 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,404,882 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,111,876 tests yesterday. 

The counter says 33,666,638 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 12,587,116 people had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 11 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 127,428 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 246,204 (+461) cases and 4,872 (+5) losses of life.

There have now been a total of 147,604,837 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,118,971. Already 125,145,819 people have recovered.

"We stand side by side with India in the shared fight against COVID-19. Vital medical equipment is on its way from the UK to India to help stop the tragic loss of life from the virus and we’ll continue to work closely with the Indian government during this difficult time."
Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister.

The UK has now vaccinated over 50% of the entire population with at least 1 dose of a COVID vaccine.