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

The UK added 24,248 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,903,434 positive cases of COVID-19.

The counter says 45,274,497 people (86% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 33,614,952 people (63.8% of UK adults) had received 2 doses.

1,905 people were in hospital on Thursday 1st, with 300 using a ventilator.

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 128,222 losses of life in all settings.

Nation: Cases last 7 days:
Wales: 3,071
Scotland: 21,146
Northern Ireland: 1,931
England: 117,062

Rep. Of Ireland 274,306 (+562) cases and 5,000 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 184,422,326 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,990,050. Already 168,744,090 people have recovered.

"We are going to have to learn to live with Covid and find ways to cope with it – just as we already do with flu.
Please read my piece in the Mail on Sunday."
Sajid Javid, UK Health Secretary, sharing an update, but only with anyone willing to read the Mail On Sunday. Thankfully, after thousands of people made the same point, he shared a screenshot. The main headline is "The economic arguments for opening up are well known. But for me the health case is equally compelling".
He mentions domestic violence and mental health, both of which are incredibly important. He makes no mention at all of Long COVID.  

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 2nd / 3rd July 2021

The UK added 27,125 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,855,169 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,121,678 tests yesterday.

The counter says 45,013,503 people (85.5% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 33,241,265 people (63.1% of UK adults) had received 2 doses.

1,795 people were in hospital with COVID on Wednesday 30th June, with 300 using a ventilator yesterday, 1st July.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 27 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 128,189 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 272,784 cases and 5,000 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 183,594,196 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,974,337. Already 168,034,808 people have recovered.

"The time for lofty words is over. There needs to be concerted action, backed by financial resources to mitigate the consequences of climate change, while we work to keep temperatures down and scale green innovations.
We are in a very dangerous period of this pandemic. In those countries with low vaccination coverage, terrible scenes of hospitals overflowing are again becoming the norm. But no country on Earth is out of the woods yet.
The Delta Variant is dangerous and is continuing to evolve and mutate.
Delta has been detected in at least 98 countries and is spreading quickly in countries with low and high vaccination coverage.
There are essentially two ways for countries to push back against the surge:
1. public health measures incl. surveillance, testing, physical distancing, masks, etc.
2. the world must equitably share protective gear, oxygen tests, treatments, and vaccines."
Dr Tedros, Head of the World Health Organisation.
He has asked that by September, 10% of people in every country are vaccinated, with a priority to health care workers. He also asks world leaders to work together so that by this time next year, 70% of people in every country are vaccinated. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 30th June / 1st July 2021

The UK added 27,989 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,828,463 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,251,696 tests yesterday.

The counter says 44,860,978 people (85.2% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 33,048,199 people (including me!!) had received 2 doses (62.7%).

1,795 people were in hospital yesterday, Wednesday 30th June, with 287 using a ventilator.

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 128,162 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 271,931 cases and 4,989 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 183,193,215 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,966,093. Already 167,720,509 people have recovered.

The UK's Furlough Scheme starts winding down from today. This month employers have to contribute 10% of furloughed worker's pay. Next month that will rise to 20%. For any business who can't afford that, or for whom it's becoming obvious life "won't be the same as before", this will be the time hard decisions may have to be made. It'll take a couple of weeks before we see the true effect, and next month it will only be more pronounced.
Sorry to anyone to is in danger of losing their job or their business. Sorry to anyone who already has. 

Foul Play are in the business of creating experiences to remember, and with COVID putting a pause on a lot of in-person fun, they've come up with card-based murder mystery games that can be played again and again. Suitable for 2-5 players aged around 8+, each pack also has 2 ways to play, so in essence you have 2 different games - Good Cop or Bad Cop. 

Foul Play sent us both of their current games for review - Manor House Murder and Once Upon A Crime (released 1st July!)... 

There is nothing unusual in the box, just a pack of really nicely decorated game cards, and 4 Instruction Cards. The images are great. Everything is bold and brightly coloured, and the characters are excellent. It's very modern and the drawings are actually a lot of fun.

Each game has a scenario, or backstory. Once Upon A Crime is set in Storybook Land, and Manor House Murder is more of your traditional Agatha Christie - but will the Butler do it? 

The instructions are a little clunky - sorry guys. Foul Play is in some ways like Cluedo, but in many ways more like Rummy, and you need to know the aim, which we didn't find clear in the instructions:
Bad Cop - The aim of the game is to collect in your hand 4 cards which go together. 3 evidence cards (A, B and C) and a suspect who can be adequately framed as the murderer...
God Cop - The aim of the game is to have seen all 3 pieces of evidence and then locate the suspect who matches. You need the suspect in hand to solve the murder.

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

The UK added 20,479 cases today (up from 11,625 a week earlier: 7,673 two weeks earlier) and now has reported a total of 4,775,301 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,095,973 tests yesterday.

The counter says 44,581,771 people (84.6% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 32,721,762 people (62.1%) had received 2 doses.

1,585 people were in hospital on Sunday 27th (up from 1,378 a week earlier: 1,136 two weeks earlier), with 297 using a ventilator yesterday, 28th June (up from 227 a week earlier: 188 two weeks earlier).

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 23 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 128,126 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 271,589 cases and 4,989 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 182,333,954 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,948,238. Already 166,874,107 people have recovered.

"New analysis suggests the vaccination programme has prevented between 6.4 and 7.9 million infections and 26,000 and 28,000 deaths in England alone."
Public Health England.
Yes - really. Excellent stuff. 

If you follow me on Instagram then you may have noticed that we were sent a gorgeous Loungefly Star Wars Lands Naboo Backpack for my 11 year old to review. This is a full size backpack, which will fit an A4 folder and writing pad, and it's also incredibly good to look at... 

My 11 year old is off to high school in September, so he needs a cool bag that will carry his schoolwork, plus the books, pencil cases and other essentials any secondary pupil needs. He also needs it to be reliable and strong, and fairly weatherproof (this is Manchester).

Loungefly have a huge range of bags and backpacks featuring Disney characters, including all-time popular favourite here - Star Wars. 

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

The UK added 14,876 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,732,434 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,068,088 tests yesterday.

The counter says 44,314,799 people (84.1% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 32,460,191 people (61.6%) had received 2 doses.

1,505 people were in hospital on Thursday 24th June, with 259 using a ventilator.

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 128,100 losses of life in all settings.

Nation: Cases in the last 7 days / Rate per 100,000 population
Wales: 1,642  / 52.1
Scotland: 12,530 / 229.3
Northern Ireland: 1,178 / 62.2
England: 67,252 / 119.5

Rep. Of Ireland 271,260 (+340) cases and 4,989 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 181,732,183 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,936,217. Already 166,239,200 people have recovered.

"Half of adults under 30 have already received the NHS COVID Vaccine — that is more than 4.2 million people aged 18 to 29 in just three weeks!
Thank you to everyone involved in the vaccine rollout. Thank You NHS."
NHS England

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update Friday 25th June 2021.

The UK added 15,810 today and now has reported a total of 4,699,868 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,068,088 tests yesterday.

The counter says 43,877,861 people (83.3% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 32,085,916 people (60.9%) had received 2 doses.

1,485 people were in hospital on Wednesday 23rd, with 259 using a ventilator yesterday, 24th June.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 18 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 128,066 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 270,477 (+380) cases and 4,989 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 180,910,091 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,919,082. Already 165,531,010 people have recovered.

"The R range for England is 1.2 to 1.4 and the growth rate range for England is +3% to +5% per day as of 25 June 2021."
What this means is that, although cases are going up, the rate in which they're going up is staying fairly steady. It could be worse.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 23rd / 24th June 2021.

The UK added 16,703 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,684,572 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,150,834 tests yesterday.

The counter says 43,656,327 people (82.9%) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 31,908,103 people (60.6%) had received 2 doses and will be fully vaccinated from 2 weeks after their 2nd dose.

1,533 people were in hospital on Tuesday 22nd, with 246 using a ventilator yesterday, 23rd June.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 21 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 128,048 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 270,097 (+304) cases and 4,989 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 180,555,472 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,911,136. Already 165,251,093 people have recovered.

"The COVID19 situation in Africa is worrisome. Both the number of cases & deaths are almost 40% higher than the week before.
Vaccines donated next year will be too late for those who are dying, infected, or at risk today. VaccinEquity - if not now, when?"
Dr Tedros, Head of WHO, reminding us that fortune often depends entirely on where you were born.
In Europe 25% of people are fully vaccinated and 14% are partly vaccinated.
In Africa 1% of people are fully vaccinated and 2% partly vaccinated.
Most of the cases sequenced from Congo (DRC) and Uganda over the last month have been Delta Variant. 

20 Dreams is a really unique card game, so when I was contacted by the developer and asked if I wanted to review, I was very excited to accept. Suitable for 2-6 players, you have to tell a story using picture cards, but also have an Emotion Card, which you keep to yourself, and have to convey through the story for the other players to guess.

Before I even played, I really liked the fact you are showing your emotions. It might sound a bit twee, but everyone is just expected to hide our emotions a lot of the time. It can be incredibly frustrating, and make it hard to actually let our feelings out when we want to. Playing 20 Dreams you are letting go and behaving freely. It's a rare thing these days. 

20 Dreams is a card-based game, and it's entirely plastic-free (yeeay!). Everything is stored in a really neat little box with a magnetic closure. I love it when games pack away so small, because they're better for storage and ideal for visiting and travelling. You could pop 20 Dreams in any bag.