January is usually the hardest month, so let's get straight to it. How is your mental health? It's dark, dismal, Christmas is over and we have every reason for this January to be especially hard because of ruddy COVID.

The pandemic been going on for literally years now, and it is wreaking havoc across the UK (and entire Northern hemisphere / world). We are stressed, tired, and led by people who laugh in the face of their own restrictions. In the UK we are going for it, attempting to get through this wave without any restrictions, and hurtling towards "learning to live with the virus" at breakneck speed... Even though half the people on the bus don't even realise that's where they're going, we are already in the air as the bus attempts to leap the canyon. 

Crikey it's stressful - and we all know we won't all get off the bus unscathed. We didn't even get on it unscathed. We are scratched and bruised and none of us will ever forget this time. It can be hard to remember that it will end. It can be hard to see we will reach our goal, we will win against a virus. Hard to see that this is still temporary. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 12th, 13th and 14th January 2022

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 15,066,395 (+99,652 - which is well down on last week's 178,250. Hurrah!)
In Hospital Yesterday Thursday 13th January: 19,539 (up from 18,454 a week earlier - so although it's still rising, it's definitely slowing).
Using A Ventilator Yesterday: 777
Losses of Life: 151,612 (+270)
Tests: 1,413,468
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 52,051,876 (90.5% of UK aged 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd Dose: 47,836,785 (83.2%)
Boosted: 36,191,724 (62.9%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 1,061,116 cases and 6,035 losses of life.

World: 321,737,292 reported cases and 5,542,202 losses of life.

"It’s deeply regrettable that this took place at a time of national mourning and number 10 has apologised to the palace.”
Prime Minister's spokesperson.
(Bit late that love, and sadly lacking...)

Boris Johnson has admitted to (and apologised for) going to the first revealed Downing Street party at his house, which he presumably had a hand in authorising, and possibly organising.
He says he had no idea it was a party. 40-50 people turning up at the same time and carrying alcohol just didn't give it away. What, were you expecting cards and presents? Pin the tail on the donkey? Pass the parcel?
A hard zero for observation and extrapolation there Boris... and only a 3 for lying (like a 7 year old).
Boris claims the oops-was-that-a-party was arranged to thank staff for their hard work  - which just indicates the sad state of employment in the UK, as they had to bring their own booze to their own thank you party. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 10th / 11th January 2022

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 14,732,594 (+120,821)
(I would suggest we use caution before celebrating too much. Yes, it does seem London at least has peaked, but we are still at the limits of testing capacity, and see below for a change in reporting...)
In Hospital Yesterday Monday 10th January: 19,828 (UP from 14,126 on Friday 31st December)
Using A Ventilator 10th January: 820 (DOWN from 883 on 31st Dec - Omicron really doesn't cause as much pneumonia as other variants!)
Losses of Life: 150,609 (+379)
Up until Friday 31st December, 174,233 people had COVID listed as a cause on their death certificate.
Tests: 1,617,386
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 51,992,559 (90.4% of UK aged 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd Dose: 47,745,458 (83%)
Boosted / 3rd Dose: 35,813,659 (62.3%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 1,002,013 cases and 5,952 losses of life (not yet reported today)

World: 311,771,577 reported cases and 5,515,927 losses of life.

"Nobody needs an official to tell them if they were at a boozy shindig in their own garden. People are (rightly) furious. They sacrificed so much - visiting sick or grieving relatives, funerals. What tf were any of these people thinking?"
An actual swear there from the frustrated and annoyed Former Head of the Scottish Conservative Party, Ruth Davidson. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 8th and 9th January 2022

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 14,475,192 (+141,472)
Losses of Life: 150,154 (+97)
Tests: 1,820,674
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 51,950,528 (90.3% of UK aged 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd Dose: 47,677,951 (82.9%)
Boosted: 35,499,486 (61.7%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 978,104 (+21,384) cases and 5,952 losses of life.

World: 306,696,347 reported cases and 5,504,438 losses of life.

Over 150,000 people from the UK have now OFFICIALLY lost their lives within 28 days of first testing positive to COVID. Boris made a statement, it's in the images below. (If you use a reader and need a transcript, just ask - I didn't have time before tonight's report).

“Wales is following the same path of putting protections in place that is being followed by Scotland, Northern Ireland, and not just devolved governments in the UK, but governments across Europe and across the world.
The questions as to why the UK Government has decided not to follow that course of action are for them to answer, not for me.
I think they have not done what the science would have told them they should do.
But that’s decisions for them to answer for – I’m answerable for the decisions we take here in Wales.”
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has complained that Boris and the UK Government are ignoring the science, which in turn is making it really difficult for Wales to have different restrictions (that are actually very similar to the entirety of the Northern hemisphere except England). The public are confused - both Welsh people and English visitors. 

From 11 January in England, if you get a positive lateral flow test result:
- you will no longer need to take a follow-up PCR test
- you should still self-isolate immediately
This is a temporary measure while COVID19 cases remain high.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 5th / 6th and 7th January 2022

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 14,193,228 (+178,250)
In Hospital Yesterday Thursday 6th January: 18,454 (up from 11,918 last Wednesday 29th December - 8 days ago).
Using A Ventilator Yesterday: 868 (exactly the same as 8 days ago).
Losses of Life: 149,744 (+229)
Tests: 1,820,674
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 51,897,289 (90.2% of UK age 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd Dose: 47,600,028 (82.8%)
Boosted/ 3rd Dose: 35,066,144 (61%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 930,598 (+21,926) cases and 5,952 losses of life.

World: 301,642,122 reported cases and 5,492,986 losses of life.

"While Omicron does appear to be less severe compared to Delta, especially in those vaccinated, it does not mean it should be categorized as ‘mild’.
Just like previous variants; Omicron is hospitalizing people and it is killing people.
In fact, the tsunami of cases is so huge and quick, that it is overwhelming health systems around the world.
Hospitals are becoming overcrowded and understaffed, which further results in preventable deaths from not only COVID-19 but other diseases and injuries where patients cannot receive timely care."
Dr Tedros of the World Health Organisation, feeling very strongly that the words "Omicron" and "Mild" together in the same sentence are giving a lot of people a false illusion of security. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus English Briefing With Boris 4th January 2022

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases INCLUDES BACKLOG from N.I. and WALES: 13,641,520 (+218,724)
In Hospital on Friday 31st December: 14,126
Using A Ventilator: 883
Losses of Life: 148,941 (+48)
Tests: 1,703,612
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 51,820,652 (90.1% of UK age 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd Dose: 47,482,789 (82.6%)
Boosted: 34,363,986 (59.8%)

Boris did a virtual press conference from Downing Street today, to address the fact that several NHS hospitals and trusts have declared critical incidents due to high demand, staff absence and rapidly rising COVID admissions.
Among the hospital trusts which are reportedly struggling are:
Blackpool
Lincolnshire (includes Lincoln, Boston and Grantham)
Morecambe Bay (includes Lancaster and Kendall)
Great Western (Swindon)
Plymouth (includes Derriford)
Gloucestershire (includes Cheltenham)
West Midlands Ambulance Service
North East Ambulance Service
Whole Norfolk and Waveney (including ambulance, community, hospitals and social services)
West Suffolk

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 1st, 2nd, 3rd January 2022

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 13,422,815 (+157,758)
In Hospital on Wednesday 29th, which is a LONG time ago : 11,918
Using A Ventilator on Wednesday 29th: 868
Losses of Life: 148,893 (+42 - which is really not the true figure, sorry guys).
Tests: 1,507,040
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 51,800,798 (90.1% of UK age 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd Dose: 47,451,922 (82.5%)
Boosted: 34,205,472 (59.5%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 845,897 (+16,986) cases and 5,912 losses of life.

World: 291,008,224 reported cases and 5,462,688 losses of life.

"To achieve my No.1 New Year's resolution, we need all governments, COVID19 vaccine makers and partners to ACTogether to vaccinate 70% of people in every country by July 2022,
With VaccinEquity, we can end the pandemic.
But we must start now: The clock is ticking."
Dr Tedros, head of the World Health Organisation, with a reminder we in the UK are in a very privileged position. Only 8.5% of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 29th / 30th / 31st December 2021

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 12,937,886 (+189,846)
In Hospital on Wednesday 29th Dec: 11,918
Using A Ventilator on Wednesday: 868
Losses of Life: 148,624 (+203)
Tests: 1,507,040
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 51,771,384 (90% of UK aged 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd Dose: 47,412,181 (82.4%)
Boosted: 33,924,738 (59%)

Area: Cases last 7 days / Rate per 100,000 population
Wales: 40,266 / 1,270.4
Scotland: 60,071 / 1,099
Northern Ireland: 26,014 / 1,372.4
England: 714,700 / 1,263.8

Rep. Of Ireland: 788,559 (+20,110) cases and 5,912 losses of life.

World: 287,555,450 reported cases and 5,449,799 losses of life.

"As expected, T cell immunity holding up better against Omicron. This will protect us against severe disease. Please get vaccinated if you haven't!"
Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist at the World Health Organisation. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 24th - 28th December 2021

I thought we'd have more complete data today - how wrong was I!? (Very, apparently.) We have much missing data, so we'll start with the national totals...

28 December 2021
England: 10,545,584 (+117,093)
Scotland: 831,158 (no report)
Wales: 594,753 (+12,378 - represents 25th and 26th December)
Northern Ireland: 367,181 (no report)
UK: 12,338,676 (+129,471)
In Hospital / Using A Ventilator not updated since 22nd December (see below for more updated figures).
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 51,679,435 (89.9% of UK age 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd Dose: 47,289,628 (82.2%)
Boosted: 32,696,064 (56.9%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 731,467 (+9,006) cases and 5,890 losses of life.

World: 282,223,385 reported cases and 5,426,477 losses of life.

"That, after all, is the teaching of Jesus Christ, whose birth is at the heart of this enormous festival – that we should love our neighbours as we love ourselves."
Boris Johnson, playing the 'religion card' in an effort to get us to continue going out to get vaccinated over Christmas.
It did cause some controversy, although the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury are among the billions of Christian and other religious people who agree with him.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 22nd /23rd December 2021

(Due to a technical issue, testing totals are not complete.)

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 11,769,921 (+119,789)
In Hospital Yesterday 22nd December: 8,216 (Up from 7,611 on 16th December - an extra 100 ish patients a day average)
Using A Ventilator Yesterday 22nd December: 842 (fairly level still)
Losses of Life: 147,720 (+147)
Tests: 1,577,020
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 51,617,091 (89.8% of UK age 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd Dose: 47,210,053 (82.1%)
Booster / 3rd Dose: 31,684,926 (55.1%)

Area: Cases / Rate per 100,000 population
Wales: 21,232 / 669.9
Scotland: 38,662 / 707.3
Northern Ireland: 13,976 / 737.3
England: 517,580 / 915.3

Rep. Of Ireland: 680,375 (+7,411) cases and 5,890 losses of life

World: 277,891,348 reported cases and 5,397,228 losses of life

"2022 must be the year that we end this pandemic."
Dr Tedros, The World Health Organisation. 

No prizes for noticing the UK case rates are eye-wateringly high... and on the increase.

Wales will have stronger 'Alert Level 2' measures than previously announced. From 6am Boxing Day:
- social distancing returns to public spaces.
- the 'Rule of 6' returns in cinemas, theatres and hospitality. No more than 6 people may mix.
- all events and parties have a maximum 30 people indoors and 50 people outdoors.
- nightclubs must close.
- no spectators for sports fixtures, with a newly-announced exemption for grassroots and children's sport, which can have up to 50 spectators.

And Scotland has tweaked their measures too. Night clubs will now close for 3 weeks from 27th December, unless they wish to try and open 'as a bar' with table service and 1m distance between groups.
Scottish people have already been asked to stay at home more than they usually would, and limit gatherings to people from 3 households.