COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 12th / 13th May 2021.

The UK added 2,657 cases today (UP slightly from 2,613 a week earlier) and now has reported a total of 4,444,631 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,184,941 tests yesterday.

The counter says 35,906,671 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 18,890,969 people had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

1,098 people were in hospital on Tuesday 11th (DOWN from 1,289 a week earlier), with 136 people using a ventilator yesterday, 12th May (DOWN from 182 a week earlier).

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 127,651 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 254,013 cases and 4,937 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 161,566,990 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,352,364. Already 139,420,287 people have recovered.

From today people in England aged 38 and 39 can book their jabs. You should get a text soon. Remember - you don't have to click a link in a text, just go to the NHS dot org and follow the coronavirus link, or go to your doctor's website and you may be able to book a smaller centre closer to home. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 10th /11th May 2021.

The UK added 2,474 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,439,691 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 955,467 tests yesterday.

The counter says 35,587,384 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 18,088,385 people had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

1,108 people were in hospital on Sunday 9th May, with 143 people using a ventilator.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 20 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 127,629 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 253,189 cases and 4,921 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 160,083,826 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,324,958. Already 137,821,105 people have recovered.

Nicola Sturgeon has announced that most of Scotland (excluding Moray) will be moving to Level 2. I covered what changes that'll make yesterday, so I won't repeat myself.

The World Health Organisation have reclassified the Indian Variant B1617.2 as a "Variant of Global Concern" as there is now evidence it is more transmissible,  or catchy. This is the 4th Variant of Global Concern, alongside the UK/Kent B117, the South African B1351 and the Brazilian P1. 

COVID UK briefing with Boris Monday 10th May 2021

UK Cases: 4,437,217 (+2,357)
Losses of Life: 127,609 (+4 - all over 3 days ago in Wales)

"The four UK Chief Medical Officers have agreed that the UK Alert Level should move from Level 4 to Level 3.
It is very important that we all continue to follow the guidance closely and everyone gets both doses of the vaccine when offered."
Boris Johnson, UK PM.
It's a bit of a silly chart, but after all of the times they pretended the UK position was better than it was, it is nice to see them changing something and it actually looking a little cautious. Remember folks - they do not want to go backwards, and nor do we. Slow and steady wins this race.

From 17th May:
The rules for entering England change depending on where you have travelled from outside the UK. There will be different rules to follow if you’re entering Scotland, entering Wales or entering Northern Ireland.
You are strongly discouraged from all unnecessary travel to red or amber list countries or territories, for example for leisure purposes.
People who live in England who have had a full vaccine course (2 doses), will be able to demonstrate their COVID-19 vaccination status for outbound international travel to countries where this is recognised.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 8th / 9th May 2021.

The UK added 1,770 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,434,860 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,067,566 tests yesterday.

The counter says 35,371,669 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 17,669,379 people had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 2 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 127,605 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 252,809 (+506) cases and 4,921 (+2) losses of life.

There have now been a total of 158,760,290 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,302,449. Already 136,261,730 people have recovered.

"The coronavirus has caused much death and suffering, affecting the lives of all, especially those of the most vulnerable. I ask you not to forget those who are most vulnerable. #VaxLive #AVaccineforthePoor"
Pope Francis

2 out of 3 UK adults have now received at least 1 dose of a vaccine.
1 out of 3 UK adults is fully vaccinated with both doses.

I had my jab yesterday, as did my partner. Neither of us cried, which surprised me, because it's a really emotional thing isn't it? There was a real air of nervous excitement and 'shared hopes'. We did however walk all the way home (in the pouring rain) grinning like winners. 

When I started this blog my children were young. Well, kind of. They were at least all children, and the little 2 weren't even at school yet. More than 8 years has passed, and my youngest is now 11 and starting high school in a few months. They all grew up. 

With 7 children in total, and 5 years of people to and fro at work, uni and college, we've had a lot of bedroom swaps over the years. Now that we only have the youngest two children at home full time we're a lot more settled, and really I want to create bedrooms for them that are relaxing and calm, but have plenty of their own more mature and still very unique personalities. 

As most of us can't afford a whole makeover and new furniture, here are some of my tips to help the bedroom grow up, without breaking the bank... 

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).