COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 2nd and 3rd April 2022

UK Daily Statistics don't update over weekends, so you won't see them here or in the figures at the bottom.

World: 491,255,721 reported cases and 6,175,357 losses of life.

The UK vaccinations programme has opened up for kids aged 5-11 - so you can book appointments from Monday (tomorrow). Lots of walk-in appointments are adult 18+ or 16+ only, so you will be lucky if you can turn up at a walk-in with a minor next Wednesday and get them vaccinated. Check in advance. And remember it looks plausible there is a very slightly increased chance of heart inflammation as an adverse injection reaction for youngsters if they have had COVID within the last 2 or 3 months, so wait 12 weeks after a positive test before vaccinating young people aged under 18. 

Vaccination is advised by religious leaders of all major denominations. If you're invited to get your Spring booster vaccine, or if you haven't yet come forward for your first or second dose or booster vaccine this Ramadan, please come forward.

The UK Health Security Agency is studying XE - which is what we are now calling the 'recombinant mutation' of BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron strains. Hundreds of cases have now been identified - 637 up until 22nd March. As we had over 4 million COVID cases in the UK last week, and they were almost entirely Omicron BA'1 and BA.2 anyway, I'm not going to panic for a long while yet... 

The Independent have been investigating the prosecutions for breaking COVID restrictions in the UK, and have discovered that almost a third have actually been wrongful.
More than 800 miscarriages of justice identified already, but there may be thousands of cases, because not every one has been checked. If the Government Ministers can 'get away with it', you should too.... even though I might personally think you behaved with reckless abandonment... 

"The World Health Organisation (WHO) has suspended the supply through United Nations agencies of COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin manufactured by India-based firm Bharat Biotech. In a statement, the international body said the vaccine is safe and the suspension is "to allow the manufacturer to upgrade facilities and address deficiencies found in an inspection"."
There have been questions over the vaccine manufacturing facilities in the past, and they have returned.
"The risk assessment to date does not indicate a change in the risk-benefit ratio of the vaccine. The data, available to WHO, indicate the vaccine is effective and no safety concern exist."
They just need to bring their manufacturing up to 2022 specs. Sort it out lads!! 

As the Russians pull back out of parts of Ukraine, we are seeing the true horrors of war in what is left behind, and it is grim to the point of sobbing/vomit. This war is rare in that religion does not feature, and nor does language or ethnic origin. I don't believe in a God, and more wars have been fought supposedly in the name of religion than for any other reasons, but when you look at what their books and leaders actually say, I believe most religions have moral standards we should aspire to, and modern day leaders who seek peace and tolerance for all people. 

"Once again, some potentate is provoking and fomenting conflicts, ordinary people sense the need to build a future that, will either be shared, or will not be at all.  Now in the night of the war, let us not allow the dream of peace to fade!"
Pope Francis.
Without a shadow of a doubt my favourite Pope, although not my actual favourite religious leader. That title goes to the current Dalai Lama, whose latest tweet reads:
"The fact that inner peace is the principal characteristic of happiness, explains the paradox that while we can all think of people who remain dissatisfied, despite having every material advantage, there are others who remain happy, despite the most difficult circumstances."
And words from Muslim leader, his Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad:
"It is not just one country. In fact many countries will become embroiled in this conflict if it continues, and the horrifying consequences will last for generations to come...(he asks that they find Godliness)... and not play with human lives for the sake of fulfilling their worldly desires."
We all dream of peace.  

Photos and video that showed crying young children isolated from their families at a Shanghai hospital have really upset local people. There has been nothing to suggest they are not real, and they do seem to fit in with China’s response to COVID, by isolating everyone who is (or may be) infected.

What is currently coming out of Ukraine is truly grim, especially from areas which have been cut off for weeks. Earlier today Zelenskyy said:
"Mothers of Russian soldiers should see that. See what bastards you've raised. Murderers, looters, butchers."
War is always ugly. 

I've had a crazy weekend, as yesterday, out of the blue, we were served notice to move out of our rented home after 15 years! Bit of a shocker. Where do you even start? Thankfully not too much news today, but my surprise moving will no doubt affect how much I can cover over the next 8 weeks, so fingers crossed the slow news situation remains, or I'll have you guys guest posting for me while I frantically pack... 

Ramadan Mubarak and blessings to everyone observing the holy month. I hope you have a fantastic time. Please remember COVID still exists, and it is still harshest on our older and weaker populations. Don't take unnecessary risks, and open windows whenever possible.

Some people. They look like numbers here, but they are all people.

Countries / Cases / Losses of life (since midnight GMT. In larger countries,  such as the USA and India, some states /provinces have yet to report today):

S. Korea 13,639,915 (+264,097) 16,929 (+339)

France 25,895,586 (+132,114) 142,475 (+68)

Germany 21,588,614 (+128,639) 130,529 (+187)

Italy 14,792,227 (+72,224) 159,666 (+129)

Vietnam 9,716,282 (+65,619) 42,563 (+37)

Australia 4,633,278 (+54,667) 6,367 (+26)

Japan 6,606,464 (+53,544) 28,200 (+103)

Thailand 3,684,755 (+28,029) 25,321 (+96)

Brazil 29,995,638 (+20,473) 660,192 (+127)

Austria 3,873,448 (+19,043) 15,957 (+52)

Russia 17,880,038 (+17,949) 369,404 (+340)

Netherlands 7,897,928 (+16,918) 22,006 (+12)

Greece 3,067,354 (+15,823) 27,623 (+52)

Malaysia 4,234,087 (+14,692) 35,069 (+56) 

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Sources: 

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/

https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-vaccine-programme-expanded-to-children-aged-five-to-11-12580105

https://twitter.com/i/events/1509145347561603083?t=U5-LqS9n5qAQebTuPVNYMw&s=09

https://twitter.com/NHSEngland/status/1510572907143045130?t=SE64kzGBAiYKnY_FgbcBbg&s=19

https://twitter.com/CrazyBigBoy1/status/1510353289996558340?t=Pl4l40KhUJ6rrH5Oq2iMGQ&s=19

https://t.co/aUMllqFBRL

https://twitter.com/Pontifex/status/1510210434309128196?t=oETQX68O9Cu5_wk_6OYQ2g&s=19

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/covid-new-omicron-xe-variant-symptoms-tests-b2049494.html

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/new-omicron-variant-xe-contagious-symptoms-latest-b2049858.html

https://twitter.com/i/events/1510632789082664962

Shanghai is struggling to contain an outbreak of highly contagious Omicron. 

https://twitter.com/WilliamYang120/status/1510424170835763209?t=42PWfgHnfN1zN5JdX6iqQQ&s=19

Photo: AFP via Getty Images. https://t.co/Ae4CNCZicV

Amendment: I typed blood clots rather than heart inflammation and have corrected. Many links on this page: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jcvi-update-on-advice-for-covid-19-vaccination-of-children-and-young-people/jcvi-statement-on-covid-19-vaccination-of-children-and-young-people-22-december-2021

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 30th / 31st March / 1st April 2022

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases last 7 days: 527,550 (average 75,364 per day)
In hospital yesterday 31st March: 19,575 (up from 17,440 a week earlier)
Using a ventilator yesterday 31st March: 356 (up from 302 a week earlier)
Losses of life last 7 days: 1,116 (average 159 per day)
Tests: 4,671,510 (average 667,358 per day)
Vaccinations 1st dose: 52,803,065 (91.8% of UK age 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd dose: 49,439,759 (86%)
Boosted / 3rd dose: 38,823,674 (67.5%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 1,465,150 (+5,725) cases and 6,786 (+33) losses of life.

World: 489,186,080 reported cases and 6,168,935 losses of life.

"For the NHS, Covid is far from over. Hospital admissions now higher than the January peak. Staff sickness high. New variants emerging. But reflecting on conversations with staff today in the hospital, they aren't giving in just yet. Too much to fight for"
Luke O'Shea, Director of Innovation, University College London Hospitals, with a reminder that COVID is doing pretty much the same thing that it has been for the last 2 years. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 28th / 29th March 2022

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases last 7 days: 574,027 (average 82,003 per day)
In hospital yesterday 28th March: 19,118 (UP from 16,272 a week earlier)
Using a ventilator yesterday 28th March: 363 (UP from 299 a week earlier)
Losses of life last 7 days: 1,051 (average 150 a day, UP from 119 average a week earlier)
Tests: 4,952,823 (average 707,546 per day)
Vaccinations 1st dose: 91.8% of UK age 12+
Vaccinations 2nd dose: 85.9%
Boosted / 3rd dose: 67.4%

Rep. Of Ireland: 1,442,877 (+5,263) cases and 6,721 (+11) losses of life.

World: 484,179,897 reported cases and 6,153,536 losses of life.

For 2 years many publications removed paywalls for anything regarding the pandemic, and made their reporting and articles free to read and open access to all. Some of those paywalls and limits on access to information are returning. Sad times guys, but at least we got the 2 years.

Good news regarding UK hospital admissions. I say good, I actually mean bad, but much better than it was. We have been seeing a huge increase week on week, but it has slowed down considerably. Whoot!
The COVID Actuaries Response Group keep track and tell us over the past 7 days:
"Strongest growth is currently being seen in ventilator beds, and the total beds figure has risen by over 1,300 to 15,170"
Overall it seems fairly obvious more people get symptoms with Omicron, but less are severely ill, so the rise in ventilator beds and ICU admissions is a bit of a bugger. It could be due to immunity in our most vulnerable people beginning to wane already - which makes getting those Spring Booster Jabs even more important. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 26th / 27th March 2022

There Are No Longer UK Daily Statistics At Weekends

World: 481,648,252 reported cases and 6,147,422 losses of life

Abuse of scientists is running high because of frustrations around COVID:
"Science (Magazine) asked 9585 researchers who have published on COVID-19 to fill out an online survey about their experiences. Of 510 who responded, 38% reported at least one type of attack, ranging from insults to death threats, delivered on social media, by email or phone, or sometimes even in person."

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 23rd / 24th / 25th March 2022

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases last 7 days: 599,244 (average 85,606 per day, up from 78,885 a week earlier)
In hospital yesterday Thursday 24th: 17,440 (up from 14,671 a week earlier)
Using a ventilator on Wednesday 23rd: 302
Losses of life last 7 days: 950 (average 136 per day)
Total losses of life: 164,454
Tests last 7 days: 5,098,534
Vaccinations 1st dose: 91.7% of UK aged 12+
Vaccinations 2nd dose: 85.8%
Boosted / 3rd dose: 67.3%

Rep. Of Ireland: 1,422,945 (+9,147) cases and 6,710 (+17) losses of life.

World: 478,839,027 reported cases and 6,136,057 losses of life.

"We all want to move on from the pandemic. But no matter how much we wish it away, this pandemic is not over."
Dr Tedros, Head of WHO

Wednesday was a National Day Of Reflection, in memory of all those lost over the 2 years since the UK first went into lockdown because of COVID. I didn't know about it in advance, so I didn't mention it - and I apologise to anyone who wishes they had known.
End of life charity Marie Curie has created online Walls Of Remembrance where you can leave a dedication to those you loved who have fallen victim to COVID. 

Last October we were invited over to take a good look around People's History Museum in Manchester, but then my 11 and 13 year old boys caught COVID and our plan was put on pause. This February half term we jumped on the tram into Manchester for a day looking at the history of the people who helped make our world what it is today. 

People's History Museum is really easy to get to, just a short walk from a couple of different tram stops, right in the centre of Manchester. 

It is a challenging museum. It asks you to think about what you see. I like that, and my children have been raised to question, so I'm stunned I haven't ever taken them before. I think life just got in the way for us, so this visit was definitely overdue... 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 21st / 22nd March 2022

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases last 7 days: 592,459 (average 84,637 per day)
In hospital  yesterday 21st March: 16,272 (UP SIGNIFICANTLY by 2,724 from 13,548 a week earlier. Our COVID+ in-patients are almost an extra 400 people each day)
Using a ventilator: 299 (UP by 19 from 280 a week earlier)
Losses of life last 7 days: 836 (average 119 a day, up from 102 daily average a week earlier)
Tests last 7 days: 5,118,487 (average 731,212 per day)
Vaccinations 1st dose: 91.7% of UK aged 12+
Vaccinations 2nd dose: 85.8%
Boosted / 3rd dose: 67.2%

Rep. Of Ireland: 1,390,177 (+4,024) cases and 6,664 (+26) losses of life.

World: 473,272,998 reported cases and 6,107,861 losses of life.

Most COVID restrictions in Scotland have now ended - with the exception of masks in indoor public places, which should still be worn for at least the next couple of weeks. Now that COVID is all over and we're "learning to live with it", you might be surprised to discover that yesterday Scotland had a record breaking 2,128 patients in hospital with COVID, beating the previous record figure of 2,053 recorded on 22nd January 2021.
How can this be? Well, the simple truth is that COVID didn't get the memo that it was all over and the economy wanted to reopen, and has continued just doing its own thing...

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 19th / 20th March 2022

No UK daily statistics at weekends. .

World: 470,427,307 reported cases and 6,099,458 losses of life.

Scientists in Europe have now identified 2 different Delta/Omicron 'Deltacron' hybrid or 'recombinant' variants, and another variant which is a mix of the 2 different BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron Variants. None are considered to be any extra cause for concern - they don't seem to have, and shouldn't have, any special features - and we already know what Delta and Omicron are like.
They occur when a single person catches both at once, and the 2 viruses both enter a single cell at the same time. It's a rare thing, but when we have 3 million people in the UK catching COVID each week, rare things happen more often. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 16th / 17th / 18th March 2022

Today's stats error is.... "Reported case numbers for Scotland cover more than 24 hours" (Irrelevant as we are given a 7 day average).

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases last 7 days: 552,198 (average 78,885 per day, UP a lot from 59,117 a week earlier)
In hospital yesterday 17th March: 14,671 (UP a lot from 11,944 a week earlier)
Using a ventilator yesterday: 292 (UP from 253 a week earlier)
Losses of life last 7 days: 753 (average 107 per day, similar to 104 a week earlier)
Tests last 7 days: 4,997,040 (average 713,862 per day, UP from 650,544 a week earlier, despite less tests being distributed)
Vaccinations 1st dose: 91.7% of UK aged 12+
Vaccinations 2nd dose: 85.7%
Boosted / 3rd dose: 67.1%

Rep. Of Ireland: 1,365,467 cases and 6,638 losses of life (not yet reported today).

World: 467,256,593 reported cases and 6,090,530 losses of life.

"The Peace Bell in Mariupol.
It rings no more.
Until the evil is defeated."
Illia Ponomarenko, Ukrainian journalist at the Kyiv Independent.
His home town is Volnovakha, which has been razed to the ground. Every building has been damaged, including his family home and the maternity hospital where he was born.
His university in Mariupol and everywhere he made his student memories has been destroyed. 90% of the buildings in Mariupol are estimated to have been damaged or destroyed.
His new flat, which he moved into 1 month ago in Bucha, has been destroyed.
He is left in Kyiv, wondering how long he has left there, and where to go next.
This is a young man who will never forget, and how can he ever forgive?
No-one wins a war, and it continues long after it ends.

ASDA asked if we wanted to take a look at some of their personalised photo gifts, so I set my children the challenge to make me something nice - and they haven't disappointed me! They chose a Mother's day card, a mug and a large canvas... 

A good measure of how easy a website is to use, is to send a 13 year old to try it, and clearly ASDA's website is easy enough, because I received no complaints.

The teenager did have assistance from his older brother, and direction from his other siblings, but I am told he designed the card entirely by himself... including 5 photos of himself - 3 of them photoshopped into love hearts. Winning the prize for getting into my good books there...