COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 19th / 20th May 2021.

The UK added 2,874 cases today (UP slightly from 2,657 a week earlier) and now has reported a total of 4,455,221 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,180,660 tests yesterday.

The counter says 37,250,363 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 21,239,471 people had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

894 people were in hospital on Tuesday 18th (DOWN from 1,098 a week earlier), with 122 using a ventilator yesterday, Wednesday 19th May (DOWN from 136 a week earlier).

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 7 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 127,701 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 257,362 (+469) cases and 4,941 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 165,953,677 reported cases worldwide. The official number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,438,682. Already over 145,124,456 people have recovered.

The EU have decided they will reopen the borders to visitors who are fully vaccinated with an EU authorised vaccine. Visitors from countries with "good epidemiological situations", (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, Singapore etc), will not have to be vaccinated.
Remember individual countries may still decide on stronger border controls, and the situation can change at any time without warning.

UK (England) COVID Briefing 19th May 2021 with Matt Hancock

Cases: 4,452,527 (+2,696)
Losses of life: 127,694 (+3)
In hospital: 939
Using a ventilator: 124
First dose: 36,985,505
Second dose: 20,870,453

7 out of every 10 UK adults have now received at least 1 dose of a COVID vaccine.
Almost 4 in every 10 have had 2 doses.

The UK is monitoring it's wastewater anyway, so monitoring for COVID isn't a biggie. They have seen signs that the Indian variant is spreading into other areas, so surge testing and vaccination will begin in:
Bedford, Burnley, Kirklees, Leicester, North Tyneside, Hounslow, Glasgow and Moray (in addition to Bolton and Blackburn).
Nuneaton was also added to the usual surge testing on Tuesday.

Today's UK (England) Briefing was led by Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, with Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England and Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 17th / 18th May 2021.

We have a revision to case data today, to remove people added twice because of a lateral flow test and a PCR lab test, so 4,776 cases were removed from the total.

The UK added 2,412 cases today and the total is now 4,450,392 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 967,162 tests yesterday.

The counter says 36,811,405 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 20,564,452 people had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

932 people were in hospital on Sunday 16th, with 125 using a ventilator yesterday, 17th May.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 7 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 127,691 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 256,390 (+358) cases and 4,941 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 164,660,382 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,411,800. Already 143,584,699 people have recovered.

"Over the next 6 weeks, the United States of America will send 80 million doses overseas. That represents 13% of the vaccines produced by the United States by the end of June. This will be more vaccines than any country has actually shared to date."
Joe Biden, US President. (How very refreshing...)
This includes 20 million doses of vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, and 60 million AstraZeneca doses.

If you’re in England and aged 36 or over, or if you turn 36 before 1 July 2021, you can now book your COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 15th / 16th May 2021.

The UK added 1,926 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,450,777 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 982,881 tests yesterday.

The counter says 36,573,354 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 20,103,658 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 127,679 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 254,870 cases and 4,941 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 163,546,079 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,389,699. Already 141,960,475 people have recovered.

Over 20m UK adults are now fully vaccinated. The entire UK population, including children, is around 68m people.

"In Bolton, where we've seen a number of people in hospital with this new Indian variant, the vast majority of them have been eligible for a jab, but not taken the jab.
So if you're eligible for the jab, if you're over the age of 38, please come forward."
Matt Hancock on Sky News today.
He also said a final decision on whether to reopen further to Step 4 of the roadmap will be taken on 14th June. 

It's Mental Health Awareness Week. Never in my life has everyone been so aware of mental health. We're in the middle of a pandemic - we all know exactly what it means. We even know we have to check on our own mental health... at least I hope we do. 

Over the past 15 months we've had more than enough reminders of just how important mental health is. We stayed home, missed out, delayed and deferred to try to protect our own physical health, but it has cost us all. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update and Indian Variant B1617.2 Briefing with Boris 14th May 2021.

The UK added 2,193 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,446,824 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 982,881 tests yesterday.

The counter says 36,115,955 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 19,319,010 people had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

1,060 people were in hospital on 12th May, with 129 people using a ventilator yesterday, 13th May.

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 127,668 losses of life in all settings.

Up until Friday 30th April 151,765 people had COVID listed as a cause on their death certificate.

Rep. Of Ireland 254,870 (+420) cases and 4,941 (+4 ) losses of life.

There have now been a total of 162,235,671 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,364,278. Already 140,092,589 people have recovered.

Scottish restrictions are due to change, and because of the number of cases in Glasgow City, and the fact they are driven by Indian Variant B1617.2, both Moray and Glasgow City will stay at Level 3 for at least another week. Sorry guys.

Welsh restrictions are going to change, and First Minister Mark Drakeford has stated very clearly that he doesn't want people going on holiday abroad, even though it'll be allowed.

“We are monitoring the situation very carefully and will not hesitate to take further action if necessary.
It is imperative we all continue to be vigilant, and if you live in one of the 15 areas where we’ve introduced surge testing, make sure you get a free PCR test."
Matt Hancock, UK Minister for Health, this morning.

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.