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

The UK added 27,429 cases today and now has reported a total of 6,069,362 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 825,501 tests yesterday.

The counter says 47,036,796 people (88.9% of UK adults 18+) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 39,429,468 people (74.5%) had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 39 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 130,320 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 312,465 (+1,837) cases and 5,044 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 203,256,063 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,304,987. Already 182,598,948 people have recovered.

ICNARC has restarted their weekly reports on ICU use in the UK.
THIS WAVE IS NOT LIKE THE OTHERS - and we have to assume this is almost entirely because of vaccination.
In this wave compared to waves pre-vaccinations:
- ICU patients have an average age of 49, this is 10 years younger than the previous wave. We have more younger people seriously ill in hospital as a percentage of all patients, but it's impossible to say if (because of Delta) we have 'more' younger people in hospital than previous waves.
- 1 in every 4 female patients aged 16-49 in ICU is pregnant or has has a baby within 6 weeks. Vaccination take-up rates are much lower in pregnant people, and COVID is very hard on pregnant bodies (it is a very hard decision to make when pregnant, I appreciate that, but give it some consideration. If you do defer, please think about getting vaccinated as soon as you can when baby is born.)

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 6th August 2021

The UK added 31,808 cases today and now has recorded a total of over 6 million officially reported cases - 6,014,023. We completed 825,501 tests yesterday.

The counter says 46,961,830 people (88.8% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 39,047,529 people (73.8%) had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

5,631 people were in hospital yesterday 5th August (DOWN from 5,916 a week earlier, up from 5,001 two week earlier / 3,964 three weeks earlier), with 871 using a ventilator (very slightly UP on last week's 869, up from 699 two weeks earlier / 551 three weeks earlier - this will take longer to fall than hospitalisations - younger people especially often take several weeks to have an 'outcome'. Fingers crossed for positive outcomes).

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 92 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 130,178 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 308,800 (+1,781) cases and 5,044 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 202,049,669 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,285,942. Already 181,725,241 people have recovered.

"Great news! All countries & areas in the WHO Western Pacific Region now have enough COVID19 vaccines to protect all of their healthcare workers.
Over 20M of the total doses received were delivered by COVAX, thanks to the support of donors & partners."
The World Health Organisation.

"Rolling out additional booster shots of covid19 vaccines widely is no different than going for a second helping while there’s still a long line of people waiting to get any food at all.
And we’re not even sure whether that feeling in our stomachs is hunger - or just anxiety."
Kai Kupferschmidt, German Science Journalist.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 4th / 5th August 2021

The UK added 30,215 cases today (still slightly down from 31,117 a week earlier) and now has reported a total of 5,982,581 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 845,680 tests yesterday.

The counter says 46,926,330 people (88.7% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 38,874,837 people (73.5%) had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

5,686 people were in hospital yesterday, August 4th (down from 6,034 a week earlier, but up from 4,861 two weeks earlier), with 881 using a ventilator (up from 853 a week earlier / 647 two weeks earlier).

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 86 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 130,086 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 305,527 cases and 5,044 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 201,360,015 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,275,763. Already 181,272,358 people have recovered.

"I understand the concern of all governments to protect their people from the Delta variant. But we cannot accept countries that have already used most of the global supply of vaccines using even more of it, while the world's most vulnerable people remain unprotected."
Dr Tedros, Head of the World Health Organisation.

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

The UK added 21,691 cases today (down from 23,511 a week earlier) and now has reported a total of 5,923,820 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 724,299 tests yesterday.

The counter says 46,898,525 people (88.7% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 38,590,332 people (73%) had received 2 doses.

6,099 people were in hospital yesterday, 2nd August (up from 5,918 a week earlier / 4,567 two weeks earlier) with 895 using a ventilator (up from 820 a week earlier / 611 two weeks earlier).
Significantly these are still increases, but they are visibly slowing - we might just be winning this... but I just can't bring myself to trust it just yet...

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 138 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 129,881 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 303,426 cases and 5,035 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 199,936,865 reported cases worldwide - which will be 200 million within the next few hours. A grim milestone indeed.
The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,254,571. Already 180,336,389 people have recovered.

"60% of all adults in the EU are now fully vaccinated.
Full vaccination protects us from COVID19 and its variants.
Let's stay vigilant. Let's get vaccinated! For our own health – and to protect others."
Ursula Von Der Leyen, President of the EU Commission.

The UK (including Scotland) have relaxed quarantine this week. Double vaccinated travellers to the US or EU no longer have to self-isolate for 10 days when they return from Amber List countries, except for people who have been in France in the previous 10 days.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 31st July / 1st August 2021

The UK added 24,470 cases today and now has reported a total of 5,880667 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 863,554 tests yesterday.

The counter says 46,851,145 people (88.6% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 38,345,841 people (72.5%) had received 2 doses.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 65 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 128,719 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 302,074  (+1,098) cases and 5,035 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 198,845,081 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,238,127. Already 179,505,242 people have recovered.

"With the Delta Variant in terms of severity, we have seen a few countries demonstrate increased hospitalisation rates. In terms of people who are infected with this variant, it had not yet translated into increased mortality.
What we do know is that public health and social measures do work against the Delta Variant.
We know that our vaccines are safe and effective against severe disease and death.
And so those who have access to the vaccine - when it's your turn, please get vaccinated and make sure that it's with the full course of your dose, because it is definitely working against severe disease and death.
There is some data that suggests that people who are vaccinated can be infected and they can transmit, although the likelihood of that is much reduced if you are vaccinated.
But it's important that we look at "vaccines and" and not "vaccines only", and that we use a comprehensive approach to understanding, and to controlling transmission."
Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, Epidemiologist and COVID19 Technical Lead at the World Health Organisation. 

From August 7th, double-jabbed adults in Wales are exempt from isolation if they are identified as a contact of someone who test positive to COVID.
England will bring in the same policy on August 16th.
I have no idea why. 

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

The UK added 29,622 cases today and now has reported a total of 5,830,774 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 863,554 tests yesterday.

The counter says 46,775,525 people (88.4% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 37,962,407 people (71.8%) had received 2 doses.

5,916 people were in hospital yesterday 29th July (up from 5,001 a week earlier / 3,964 two weeks earlier), with 869 people using a ventilator (up from 699 a week earlier / 551 two weeks earlier).

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 68 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 129,583 losses of life in all settings.

Up until Friday 16th July, 153,342 people had COVID listed as a cause on their death certificate.

Rep. Of Ireland 298,048 cases and 5,035 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 197,703,056 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,219,658. Already 178,754,952 people have recovered.

“Delta is a warning..
“It's a warning that this virus is evolving. But it's also a call to action: That we need to move now, before more dangerous variants emerge."
Dr Mike Ryan, World Health Organisation. 

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

The UK added 31,117 cases today (down from 39,905 a week earlier) and now has reported a total of 5,801,561 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 911,012 tests yesterday.

The counter says 46,733,115 people (88.4% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 37,782,252 people (71.4%) had received 2 doses.

6,034 people were in hospital yesterday Wednesday 28th July (up from 4,861 a week earlier), with 853 using a ventilator (up from 647 a week earlier).

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 85 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 129,515 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 298,048 (+1,361) cases and 5,035 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 197,035,002 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,209,410. Already 178,353,731 people have recovered.

"One billion doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine have now been supplied to 170 countries. This British vaccine, distributed at cost, is saving lives across the globe.
Together we can vaccinate the world by the end of next year and build back better from coronavirus."
Boris Johnson, UK PM

"BREAKING: The number of covid positive patients in English hospitals has FALLEN for the first time in 30 days!
One swallow doesn't make a summer - but VERY good sign."
Alistair McLellan, Editor of the Health Services Journal.
According to the figures London has a sudden drop of 80 patients, which is a bit weird, but even if you ignore London, figures look static/slightly down elsewhere.
I still won't believe it for another week myself, but I'll be more than happy to be proven wrong if this continues, and every less patient in hospital is a good thing. (Across the whole UK, the drop was 1 patient.)

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

The UK added 23,511 cases today  cases today ( last week 46,558 / 2 weeks  36,660 / 3 weeks 28,773 / 4 weeks 20,479) and now has reported a total of 5,745,526 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed a shockingly low 810,459 tests yesterday.

The counter says 46,653,796 people (88.2% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 37,459,060 people (70.8%) had received 2 doses.

5,918 people were in hospital yesterday, Wednesday 27th July, (up from 4,567 a week earlier), with 820 people using a ventilator (up from 611 a week earlier).

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 131 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 129,303 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 294,272 cases and 5,026 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.)

There have now been a total of 195,725,739 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,188,914. Already 177,452,809 people have recovered.

“The effect of vaccines has been huge in reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death, and I’m positive that by late September, October time we will be looking back at most of the pandemic."
Professor Neil Ferguson (SAGE member) on BBC Radio 4’s Today.
Fingers crossed eh Neil. Not everyone agrees with his prognosis, but we'd all like him to be right. Personally I reckon technically, he will be (Dodgy new variants aside), although what we'll go through to get there might be grim. The worse it is, the more "looking back" we'll have. As England seems to be sprinting for the finish line in some sort of muddied, bloodied, screaming, Highlander style ("you'll not take my freedoms!"), there should be a lot to look back on. Buckle up. 

"We're not out of the woods yet..."
Boris Johnson - pointing out in the most wishy-washy ambiguous way possible that actually,  UK case numbers right now might be luring us into a false sense of security. 

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

The UK added 29,173 cases today and now has reported a total of 5,697,912 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,013,261 tests yesterday.

The counter says 46,563,452 people (88% of UK adults) had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 37,160,659 people (70.3%) had received 2 doses.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 28 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 129,158 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 292,996 (+1,126) cases and 5,026 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 194,665,050 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 4,172,525. Already 176,655,351 people have recovered.

"70 million doses of the #NHSCOVIDVaccine have been given across England — including over 30 million people now fully vaccinated after receiving two doses!
Thanks to #OurNHSPeople, volunteers and everyone involved."
NHS England

Compassionless Politician of the Week:
"Symptoms were mild, thanks to amazing vaccines. Please – if you haven't yet – get your jab, as we learn to live with, rather than cower from, this virus."
Sajid Javid, UK Health Secretary.

It's Okay To Feel Happy and I Want To Hug Mummy are books which have been written especially to support younger children who have been bereaved, and I have been sent them for review by Troubadour Press.

The author, David Peart, is a widowed Dad, and he writes from the heart, with a gentle bluntness and honesty which can be especially useful for younger children. 

It's Okay To Feel Happy talks about the feeling you get in your tummy, when you do something, but then you are crippled by confused emotions because it feels so wrong to be happy. Survivor guilt isn't just for grown ups.

Pride, joy, excitement, fun, achievement. They are all clouded by grief, and it can be incredibly hard, especially at first, to allow them out.