COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 16th July 2021

The UK added 51,870 cases today and now has reported a total of 5,332,371 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,177,716 tests yesterday.

The counter says 46,159,145 people (87.6% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 35,543,321 people (67.5%) had received 2 doses.

3,964 people were in hospital yesterday, with 551 using a ventilator.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 49 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 128,642 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 280,784 cases and 5,006 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 190,059,236 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,086,966. Already 173,305,971 people have recovered.

"More that at ANY time during the pandemic, I get the overwhelming sense that the UK is snatching defeat from the jaws of victory with the decision to move ahead with 19 July unlocking."
Alistair McLellan, Editor of the Health Services Journal.

“In New Zealand we've always looked to the UK for leadership.. it's why it just seems so remarkable you're not following even basic public health principles."
"We and my colleagues in NZ are quite astounded that that you're doing this"
 Professor Michael Baker, official advisor to the New Zealand government.

Oops. Heads up Boris, the world has spotted you now. 

Wow! What a month. It's been a roller-coaster indeed, and with the announcement we will be lifting Coronavirus restrictions in England next Monday, a lot of people's emotions are high. Depending on your point of view, it's scary, it's exciting, it's a relief, it's a massive worry. Everyone's own experience will be different, and we have to respect that. There is no doubt that the roller-coaster will carry on running, and in the UK at least, it is about to get bumpy. Thankfully vaccinations will keep the vast majority of us out of hospital. There is plenty of hope.

COVID or not, my month has featured hospital, my own personal roller-coaster, and one of those weird experiences that really seems like proof someone is watching over you.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 14th / 15th July 2021

The UK added 48,553 cases today (up from 32,551 a week earlier and 27,289 two weeks earlier), and now has reported a total of 5,281,098 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,210,002 tests yesterday (which I think could be a record).

The counter says 46,097,464 people (87.5% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 35,341,428 people had received 2 doses (67.1%).

3,786 people were in hospital yesterday, 14th July (up from 2,636 a week earlier and 1,795 two weeks earlier), with 545 using a ventilator (up from 417 a week earlier and 287 two weeks earlier).

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 63 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 128,593 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 279,790 cases and 5,006 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 189,473,728 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,078,581. Already 172,964,052 people have recovered.

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced that all of Wales will move into Alert Level One from July 17th, with an intention to move to Level Zero on August 7th, although some restrictions will remain in place.
From Saturday 17 July - Alert Level 1:
- Up to 6 people can meet indoors in private homes and holiday accommodation
- Organised indoor events for up to 1,000 seated or 200 standing can take place, subject to a risk assessment and taking reasonable measures
- Ice rinks can re-open
- Remove the legal restrictions on the number of people who can gather outdoors
- Allow up to 30 children from organisations, such as the Brownies and Scouts, to attend residential centres over the summer holidays
From Saturday 7 August (if conditions allow) - Alert Level 0:
- Remove legal restrictions on the number of people who can meet indoors, including in private homes, public places or at events
- All businesses and premises can open, including nightclubs
- People should still work from home wherever possible
- Face coverings will remain a legal requirement indoors, with the exception of hospitality premises. This will be kept under review.

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

The UK added 36,660 cases today ( last week 28,773 / 2 weeks ago 20,479 / 3 weeks ago 11,625) and now has reported a total of 5,191,459 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,066,498 tests yesterday.

The counter says 45,978,017 people (87.3% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 34,997,491 people (66.4%) had received 2 doses and will be fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose.

The number of people in hospital has still not been updated since last Thursday, when it was 2,731, with 417 using a ventilator.
Public Health England figures at 8am this morning show that, IN ENGLAND ALONE, 2,970 beds were occupied by COVID patients with 470 people using a ventilator. (Last Thursday in England those figures were 2,209 and 376.)

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 50 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 128,481 losses of life in all settings.

Total cases for the last 7 days:
Area: Cases / Rate per 100,000 population
Wales: 4,634 / 147
Scotland: 20,190 / 369.6
Northern Ireland: 3,432 / 181.2
England: 185,128 / 328.9

Rep. Of Ireland 278,464 cases and 5,006 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 188,387,431 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,059,110. Already 172,178,460 people have recovered.

All of Scotland will move to Level 0 on Monday July 19th. Congratulations / commiserations depending on your feelings.
Good news from a pandemic point of view is that they aren't letting the reins go entirely, so you should still be able to watch and point at us South of the border, at least a bit. Remaining restrictions include:
- Restaurants and pubs will have a midnight closing time.
- Mandatory use of face coverings will remain in place for some time to come.
Nicola Sturgeon said earlier:
"Lifting all restrictions and mitigations right now would put all of us at greater risk, but in particular it would make it much more difficult for the most clinically vulnerable to go about their normal lives. It would risk the imposition of shielding by default."
There are actually calls from several different directions for them to close the border with England, as so many outbreaks occur after people have visited. (You need another wall Nicola!!)

Boris Is Going For It. England Briefing 12th July 2021

Cases: 5,155,243 (+34,471)
Loss of Life: 128,431 (+6)
In Hospital on Thursday 8th: 2,731
Using a Ventilator on Thursday 8th: 417
1st Dose: 45,923,721 (87.2% of UK adults)
2nd Dose: 34,872,131 (66.2%)

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 10th / 11th July 2021

The UK added 31,772 cases today and now has reported a total of 5,121,245 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,114,234 tests yesterday.

The counter says 45,881,721 people (87.1% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 34,764,511 people (66%) had received 2 doses.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 26 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 128,425 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 277,892 (+576) cases and 5,006 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 187,486,594 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,046,485. Already 171,397,639 people have recovered.

Public Health England Variant Surveillance has some figures on Delta Variant and vaccine efficacy against hospitalisation, and loss of life:
Up until June 21st, 1,904 people had been admitted to hospital in England with confirmed Delta Variant.
Of those hospitalised, 1,283 were under age 50
- 987 (77%) were unvaccinated, plus 106 (8%) less than 21 days after dose 1.
- 118 (9%) 21 or more days after their first dose of vaccine
- 48 (4%) fully vaccinated
Of those hospitalised, 615 were 50 or over.
- 195 (32 per cent) were unvaccinated, plus 11 (2%) less than 21 days after dose 1
- 140 (23%) 21 or more days after their first dose of vaccine
- 265 (43%) fully vaccinated.
Up until June 21st, 257 people with Delta Variant in England died within 28 days of a positive test.
Of those who died, 26 were under the age of 50
- 21 unvaccinated
- 3 were 21 days or more after one dose of vaccine
- 2 fully vaccinated
Of those who died, 231 were aged 50 or over
- 71 were unvaccinated, plus one person within 21 days of their first dose.
- 41 were 21 days or more after one dose of vaccine
- 116 fully vaccinated.
Bear in mind that the older you are, the more likely you are to be fully vaccinated, but also the more susceptible you are to becoming seriously ill. You can clearly see the effect of vaccinations, especially if you look at the figures for people aged under 50. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 9th June 2021

The UK added 35,707 cases today and now has reported a total of 5,058,093 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,114,234 tests yesterday.
Between 3 July 2021 and 9 July 2021, 206,046 people had a confirmed positive test result. This shows an increase of 30.7% compared to the previous 7 days.

The counter says 45,697,875 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 34,374,246 people had received 2 doses and will be considered fully vaccinated 14 days after that 2nd dose.

2,731 people were in hospital yesterday, Thursday 8th July, with 417 using a ventilator.
Between 29 June 2021 and 5 July 2021, 2,872 people went into hospital with coronavirus. This shows an increase of 55.9% compared to the previous 7 days.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 29 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 128,365 losses of life in all settings.
Between 3 July 2021 and 9 July 2021, there have been 176 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test. This shows an increase of 43.1% compared to the previous 7 days.

Rep. Of Ireland 276,735 (+631) cases and 5,006 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 186,618,031 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,030,970. Already 170,698,970 people have recovered.

“It's about preventing being exposed to the virus, and preventing you exposing others to the virus.
Look around in your community.
Know the local numbers.
If the virus is present in your community and you're a vulnerable person and you're not vaccinated, then you are potentially going to be exposed.
So the idea that everyone is protected and it’s “kumbaya” and everything goes back to normal, I think right now is a very dangerous assumption anywhere in the world.
We’d ask governments to be really careful at this moment, not to lose the gains that we’ve made.
This virus is evolving. This virus is changing, and we need to be very careful at this moment, so that the gains that have been hard won by the behaviours and actions of our populations are sustained. Individual behaviour and government support to that behaviour is extremely important.
And I would urge extreme caution in the complete lifting of public health and social measures at this time, because there are consequences for that."
Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director, the World Health Organisation.
The UK Government can never say they weren't warned. 

We all know Funko Pop! make collectibles featuring a huge range of pop culture favourites, but did you know they also make useful merchandise for around the home, and out and about? We've been sent a selection to look at - and there really was something to suit everyone...

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 7th / 8th July 2021

The UK added 32,551 cases today (up from 27,289 a week earlier) and now has reported a total of 5,022,893 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,237,992 tests yesterday.

The counter says 45,601,445 people (86.6% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 34,198,779 people (64.9%) had received 2 doses and will be fully vaccinated 14 days after their 2nd dose.

2,636 people were in hospital yesterday, Wednesday 7th July, (up from 1,795 a week earlier) with 417 people using a ventilator (up from 287 a week earlier).

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 35 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days (up from 22 a week earlier), making a total of 128,336 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 275,571 cases and 5,006 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 186,089,034 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,021,397. Already 170,239,895 people have recovered.

"The logic of 'more people being infected is better' is I think, logic that has proven its moral emptiness and epidemiological stupidity previously."
Dr Mike Ryan, Epidemiologist and Executive Director of the World Health Organisation's Health Emergencies Programme.
Yowch. Bet the UK's lead epidemiologist, Mr Chris Whitty, is smarting a bit from that slap. Here's another... 

Over 100 scientists, including a lot of the UK's big names, have published a letter in The Lancet today, explaining why a policy that allows mass infection should not be an option.
"We believe the government is embarking on a dangerous and unethical experiment, and we call on it to pause plans to abandon mitigations on July 19, 2021."
They make 5 main arguments against:
1. It will disproportionately affect young people. They estimate 17m people are unprotected and millions of infections will occur.
"This strategy risks creating a generation left with chronic health problems and disability, the personal and economic impacts of which might be felt for decades to come."
2. "...high rates of transmission in schools and in children will lead to significant educational disruption" which will involve all pupils and staff, and disproportionately affect disadvantaged children.
3. Variants. "...preliminary modelling data suggest the government's strategy provides fertile ground for the emergence of vaccine-resistant variants. This would place all at risk, including those already vaccinated, within the UK and globally".
4. We have a massive backlog for all kinds of care, diagnostics and treatment. The strategy will have a "significant impact on health services and exhausted health-care staff who have not yet recovered from previous infection waves".
5. "Fifth, as deprived communities are more exposed to and more at risk from COVID-19, these policies will continue to disproportionately affect the most vulnerable and marginalised, deepening inequalities."
There will be a press conference tomorrow morning at 10am. That should be an interesting one... 

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

The UK added 28,773 cases today (up from 20,479 a week earlier: 11,625 two weeks earlier) and now has reported a total of 4,958,868 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,160,738 tests yesterday.

The counter says 45,428,681 people (86.2% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 33,874,176 people (64.3% of UK adults) had received 2 doses.

2,140 people were in hospital on Sunday 4th (up from1,585 a week earlier: 1,378 two weeks earlier), with 369 using a ventilator yesterday, 5th July (up from 297 a week earlier: 227 two weeks earlier).

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 37 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 128,268 official losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 274,641 cases and 5,000 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

The number of people who have officially lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 has passed the grave milestone of 4 million - 4,003,860 humans.
There have now been a total of 185,135,819 reported cases worldwide, and already 169,432,743 people have recovered.

"Before we started putting jabs into arms, whenever we saw a rise in cases, it would inevitably be followed by a rise in hospitalisations, and tragically a rise in deaths too.
Yet today, even though cases are heading upwards, in line with what we expected, hospitalisations are at a much lower rate, and deaths are at just 1% of the figure we saw at the peak."
(At first his maths didn't work at all, then I remembered we lost twice as many hospitalised people during the peak as we did at other times. So in reality - 2% of more usual numbers, which is horrific for all involved, yet still excellent, at around 0.04%, or 1 in every 2,500 cases. I hope that's true. I hate that they fudge numbers.)
"Our vaccines are building a wall of protection against hospitalisations , and jab by jab, brick by brick, that wall is getting higher. And for those people, who sadly do find themselves having to go to hospital, we have better treatments than ever before."
{Related story about Dexamethasone being a game changer.}
"And taken together, the link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths is being severely weakened, and this means we can start to learn to live with COVID."
Sajid Javid,  UK Health Secretary.