COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 31st July 2020.

The UK added 880 cases today and now has reported a total of 303,181 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 206,656 tests yesterday. 1,251 people were in hospital on Wednesday 29th, with 84 using a ventilator yesterday. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 120 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 46,119 losses of life in all settings.

England 261,348 / 41,512

Northern Ireland 5,948 / 556

Scotland 18,627 / 2,491

Wales 17,258 / 1,560

Rep. Of Ireland 26,027 cases and 1,763 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 17,608,350 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 679,334. Already 11,015,941 people have recovered.

"Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives"

"Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives"

"Hands, Face, Space....plus get a test if you need it"

Give Me Strength.

Well it all got very exciting last night after 7pm. 

In case you missed it yesterday, people from different households within these areas are not allowed to spend time together indoors or in private gardens, for the next two weeks:

Greater Manchester

Blackburn with Darwen 

Burnley

Hyndburn

Pendle

Rossendale

Bradford

Calderdale

Kirklees

City of Leicester

If it has a method of payment, it remains open. You can all still go to the pub, but you can't sit together with different households. 

There was a surprise English press conference today to give us all the bad news that new cases are going up. Boris was there to deliver his own bad news for once, but it's okay, because there was a shiny new slogan to take our minds off it, and Chris Whitty, Chief Medical officer, alongside for the science. 

New cases are just over 100 each day. We have 87 people using a ventilator today (which is 3 more than yesterday) and the number of deaths is falling, but we can't ignore rises in cases. The weekly survey by ONS (Office for National Statistics) says cases in the community are going up. Around 1 in every 1,500 people in the UK community has COVID, compared to 1 in 1800 on 15th July, and 1 in 2,000 on 2nd July. We have around 4,000 new infections per day. We can't ignore this evidence. 

We have new restrictions on household contact - households mixing, which data tells us is causing the rise. Restrictions on workplaces do not change. 

Measures taken in Leicester and Luton have worked, and allowed us to relax restrictions. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 29 / 30 July 2020.

The UK added 846 cases today and now has reported a total of 302,301 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 154,746 tests yesterday. 1,273 people were in hospital on Tuesday, with 87 patients using a ventilator yesterday. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 38 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 45,999 losses of life in all settings.

England 260,534 / 41,398

Northern Ireland 5,938 / 556

Scotland 18,597 / 2,491

Wales 17,232 / 1,554

Rep. Of Ireland 25,942 (+13) cases and 1,762 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 17,334,919 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 673,026. Already 10,827,388 people have recovered.

The advice on self-isolating in the WHOLE UK has changed. From now on anyone who has symptoms of COVID, or a positive test result, has to self-isolate for minimum 10 days - and immediately book a test if you haven't had one.

The vast majority of people seem to stop shedding virus within 10 days of catching COVID, so most countries go for 14 days self-isolation to be sure. 7 days was always too short and not in line with the science.

The people of Leicester were expecting an announcement regarding their local lockdown today, but it's been delayed until tonight. Rumour is that "there is an issue unrelated to Leicester that the Government's had its eye on which has held things up.....". 

For the first time ever, the ONS (Office for National Statistics) have published comparison data on all-cause mortality across Europe, from January to June 12th. They looked at how many people died (from any cause) over that time period, and compared it with 5 year averages. The extra people who died in 2020 are the 'Excess Mortality' - those people who we assume died because COVID exists. It's grim reading:

- Every local authority area in the UK experienced excess mortality during the peak weeks of w/ending 3 April to w/ending 8 May, while other Western European countries experienced more geographically localised excess mortality

- The highest rates of excess mortality were in Central Spain and Northern Italy; Bergamo (Northern Italy) had the highest peak excess mortality of 847.7% (week ending 20 March) compared with the highest in the UK, Brent at 357.5% (week ending 17 April).

- Looking at major cities, the highest peak excess mortality was in Madrid at 432.7% (week ending 27 March) while in the UK, Birmingham had the highest peak excess mortality of any major British city at 249.7% (week ending 17 April).

- "While England did not have the highest peak mortality, it did have the longest continuous period of excess mortality of any country compared, resulting in England having the highest levels of excess mortality in Europe for the period as a whole."

Sadly, we are world-beating at something... (and it's not Track and Trace). 

Nicola Sturgeon has today confirmed Scotland remain in Phase 3 of lockdown:

- Shielding will be paused from August 1

- Pupils will be able to return to school from August 11, with extra measures in place to keep everyone safe. 

- Gyms will remain closed until at least September 14.

Scotland have lost no-one to COVID for 14 days. Well done guys. Keep it up. 

In case you don't remember, 10 days isolating is what any of us should do if we have symptoms of COVID - and book a test! They're super easy now, my son did a postal test at the weekend (as part of the random population sampling by ONS) and the only effort was getting him to stop bouncing long enough to put the swab up his nostrils. 

If a member of your household has a positive test, the rest of you isolate for 14 days, because it is pretty likely you will have been exposed to the virus in the home, but it can take a few days before it grows to big enough numbers to affect you, cause symptoms and/or give you a positive test result. 

"The season does not seem to be affecting the transmission of this virus currently."

Dr Margaret Harris of the World Health Organisation, with a warning that Summer will not kill off covid in the same way that it suppresses flu. She also warned that we are still in the first wave, and it's a big wave which will go up and down a bit. "The best thing is to just flatten it and turn it into just something lapping at your feet."

Boris Johnson has defended his decision to impose quarantine restrictions on travellers from Spain, saying "I’m afraid you are starting to see in some places the signs of a second wave of the pandemic." 

Lapping ripples in parts of Europe haven't ever really stopped, and sometimes those ripples get a bit bigger than you are comfortable with. Fingers crossed Spain get it back under control swiftly. 

It being reported that at least 10 English schools are expecting pupils to wear washable face masks when they return in September. I'm presuming they are all secondary schools, and I can't imagine it'll go down well with all of the parents, but it's commonplace in Asia and Africa, and makes more sense to me than a tie - which has no use whatsoever.  

Facebook has removed a Breitbart COVID news video for misinformation, but only after it had already received 20m views. They say they are going to have an inquiry as to why it took longer than it should, but representative Andy Stone has stressed the text from their press release:

"...between April and June, we removed 7 million pieces of content on Instagram and Facebook for violating our policy against sharing dangerous COVID-19 misinformation."

The chief official at Heathrow Airport has asked why we aren't testing new arrivals? He hopes to use testing instead of 14 day quarantines. It isn't as effective at catching all cases, but is used in several countries, including Iceland. 

The Philippines is beginning to really suffer, and lockdowns and restrictions have left thousands of people without work and needing to go home. They announced a government transportation scheme and thousands of unexpected stranded Filipinos turned up at a stadium to be tested for travel - cramming into a baseball stadium and completely ruining any hope of social distancing. 

After failing to immediately suppress the recent covid19 outbreak, the state of Victoria in Australia has had to introduce further measures. Last night they announced 723 new cases, 13 losses of life, and mandatory face coverings when outside the home from midnight on Sunday. This is a massive blow for a country which for so long seemed to have avoided the worst - fingers crossed they still can. 

Brazil closed entry to foreign air travellers in March, and has now reopened entry to all comers. The only rule is that you have to have health insurance. Yesterday Brazil reported single day totals of +70,869 cases and +1,554 people lost. 

Tempting as it is, I think I'll pass on that one just for now... 

Trump of the Day: 

He's been ranting about this coming November's election being rigged again, and here he is with what we were all expecting: 

“With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history. It will be a great embarrassment to the USA. Delay the Election until people can properly, securely and safely vote???” 

I honestly think science and pandemics are not your strongest fit Donald, I'm stunned you are so adamant you don't want to pass it over to ANYONE else. The election is due to take place on November 3rd, and if he loses, Donald should leave in January.

While some people just chuck them into landfill or throw them in the sea, clever folk worldwide are trying to solve the issue of disposing of bio-hazardous disposable masks. UV light bins may provide an answer to at least the bio-hazard part. Obviously if you aren't part of a medical or care team, reusable cloth face coverings solve that whole issue almost entirely. 

If you are looking for a new job then I have just the position. Boris Johnson is advertising for a TV-friendly Press Secretary. You'd have to “represent the Government and the Prime Minister to an audience of millions on a daily basis, across the main broadcast channels and social media”. Apparently major journalists wouldn't be interested because the fee is around half their wage, at a mere £100,000 a year. I'm clearly in the wrong job here... 

Some people, all of them with favourite foods, music, animals, and people:

Countries / Cases / Losses of life (some states /provinces yet to report):

USA 4,601,406 (+33,369) 154,562 (+722)

Brazil 2,566,765 (+11,247) 90,383 (+195) 

India 1,639,184 (+54,800) 35,786 (+783) 

Russia 834,499 (+5,509) 13,802 (+129) 

South Africa 471,123 not yet reported today 7,497

Mexico 408,449 (+5,752) 45,361 (+485) 

Peru 400,683 not yet reported today 18,816

Chile 351,575 not yet reported today 9,377

Spain 332,510 (+2,789) 28,443 (+2) 

UK 302,301 (+846) 45,961

Iran 301,530 (+2,621) 16,569 (+226) 

Pakistan 277,402 (+1,114) 5,924 (+32) 

Indonesia 106,336 (+1,904) 5,058 (+83)

Philippines 89,374 (+3,954) 1,983 (+23) 

Sweden 80,100 (+34) 5,739 (+9) 

Oman 79,159 (+590) 421 (+9) 

Bolivia 73,534 (+1,207) 2,808 (+88)

Israel 69,603 (+1,304) 499 (+8)

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Sources

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

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-from-the-uk-chief-medical-officers-on-extension-of-self-isolation-period-30-july-2020

https://twitter.com/scotgov/status/1288763385333645312

https://twitter.com/Channel4News/status/1288117727068995588?s=19

"WHO official warns that COVID-19 is 'one big wave'" https://twitter.com/i/events/1288401164300480513?s=09

https://twitter.com/BBCr4today/status/1288371032005509121?s=19

https://twitter.com/andymstone/status/1288206256277258240?s=19

https://twitter.com/AajFake/status/1288686726534148096?s=09

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1288818160389558273

https://twitter.com/BBCScotlandNews/status/1288798954965131264

https://twitter.com/Danjamesmartin/status/1288882871898382337

"England's self-isolation period may increase to 10 days" https://twitter.com/i/events/1288737706369888256?s=09

https://twitter.com/Danjamesmartin/status/1288882871898382337

https://twitter.com/i/status/1288721124176596992

We love Big Potato games - they're pick up and play, and perfect for our family. The latest game they've sent us to review is Herd Mentality, and it's a goodun. One of our new favourites and we've played it several times already....

Suitable for 4-20 players aged 10+, this is a game where being unique wins you a rubber cow... 

This game is plastic-free except for 2 tiny stickers holding the box shut and the single pink rubber cow. Absolute stars - Earth and Christmas-morning friendly. Gorgeous flocked box too, it feels a lot nicer than a real cow! 

Inside the box is everything you need except pencils. It's more eco-friendly if you supply your own mark-making materials. You need to assemble the paddock for your cow, which is a fun construction activity lasting about 3 minutes before first play. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 27th / 28th July 2020.

The UK added 581 cases today and now has reported a total of 300,692 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 99,090 tests yesterday. 

1,286 people were in hospital on Sunday 26th, and for the first time since March, we have less than 100 people using a ventilator. 97 were reported yesterday, 27th July.  

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 119 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 45,878 losses of life in all settings.

England 259,022 / 41,282

Northern Ireland 5,912 / 556

Scotland 18,554 / 2,491

Wales 17,170 / 1,549

Rep. Of Ireland 25,892 cases and 1,764 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 16,765,653 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 660,140. Much more positively, 10,318,323 people have been reported as officially recovered.

Oldham is the latest English area to have extra restrictions imposed, in order to avoid a local lockdown. They had over 100 new cases last week, so for the next 2 weeks:

- No social visitors to your home

- Maintain 2m social distancing with everyone not in your household when you are outside

- Shielded people should stay at home for 2 weeks from this Friday. 

- Care Homes will not accept visitors

The 3 areas which have most cases in the UK as of today are: 

1. Blackburn with Darwen

2. Leicester

3. Oldham

The area which is currently losing most people is still East Kent. 

Trolls Word Tour is available 27th July on Blu-ray and DVD and to celebrate a month of positivity, check out the Trolls UK Facebook page. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment sent us a screening link to take a sneak preview... 

The images below are Trolls World Tour activity sheets you can save and print off in A4. 

I wouldn't have put Trolls World Tour anywhere near the top of my watch list, but reviews were really good. The Dance Party Edition is 2 movies for the price of 1, as it includes an interactive dance party mode. This really is a party movie, launching into the first song almost instantly, and just like the name of those 80's/90's multi-band tours, the rock never stops... 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News weekend update 25 / 26 July 2020

The UK added 747 cases today and now has reported a total of 299,426 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 123,954 tests yesterday. 1,445 people were in hospital on Thursday 23rd, with 104 patients using a ventilator on Friday 24th. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 14 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 45,752 losses of life in all settings.

England 257,859 / 41,156

Northern Ireland 5,891 / 556

Scotland 18,551 /  2,491

Wales 17,125 / 1,549

Rep. Of Ireland 25,872 (+12) cases and 1,763 losses of life. 

There have now been a total of 16,321,464 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 650,357. Already 9,983,208 people have recovered.

At midnight last night the 'travel corridor' between England and Spain closed (It closes at midnight tonight in Scotland. Wales and Northern Ireland are also closing theirs.) This is not a "dramatic u-turn", it's a safety measure and exactly what they promised they'd do. Anyone returning from Spain will now have to undergo a 14 day quarantine. This is very bad luck for everyone who had raced out there for a holiday (including Grant Shapps, Transport Minister, and family), but Spain appears to have temporarily lost control of the virus, and it is a risk you'll be taking if you go anywhere abroad for a long while. 

If you think suddenly closing a travel corridor is harsh, just imagine for one minute that we had imposed a 14 day quarantine on everyone returning from Italy in February half term. We knew by the Friday that they were having a disaster, and tens of thousands of people from all over the UK returned over the next two days alone. We'd have had such a different 5 months, and we'd have saved possibly tens of thousands of lives. There is no point waiting. Ask Jacinda. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 24th July 2020.

The UK added 770 cases today and now has reported a total of 297,914 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 152,533 tests yesterday. 1,634 people were in hospital on Wednesday 22nd, with 111 using a ventilator yesterday. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 123 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 45,677 officially reported losses of life in all settings.

England 256,428 / 41,082

Northern Ireland 5,891 / 556

Scotland 18,520 / 2,491

Wales 17,075 / 1,548

Rep. Of Ireland 25,845 (+19) cases and 1,763 losses of life. 

There have now been a total of 15,795,688 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 639,159. Already 9,627,155 people have recovered.

"Almost 10 million COVID19 cases, or two-thirds of all cases globally, are from 10 countries, and almost half of all cases reported so far are from just three countries. 

As we have said previously, political leadership and community engagement are the two vital pillars of the COVID19 response. 

One of the tools governments can use is the law – not to coerce, but to protect health while protecting human rights."

Dr Tedros, Head of WHO, at the launch of COVID-19 Law Lab, a platform that shares legal documents from over 190 countries.

If you are obese, your risk of serious illness from COVID is bigger, and that risk increases along with your increasing weight. It is anticipated that the English Government will be encouraging those of us carrying some extra pounds to lighten up a bit. It's for your own good - don't say I didn't tell you. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 22 / 23 July 2020.

The UK added 769 cases today and now has reported a total of 297,146 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 147,595 tests yesterday. 1,504 people were in hospital on Tuesday. 110 patients were using a ventilator yesterday (22nd July).

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 53 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 45,554 officially reported losses of life in all settings.

England 255,740 / 40,959

Northern Ireland 5,876 / 556 (no losses of life for 10 days)

Scotland 18,500 / 2,491

Wales 17,030 / 1,548

Rep. Of Ireland 25,826 (+7) cases and 1,763 (+9) losses of life.

There have now been a total of 15,503,657 officially reported cases worldwide - among other things, testing limitations, government policy and reluctance to get tested mean the true number is far, far greater.

The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 632,708. Already 9,434,866 people have recovered.

From tomorrow face coverings are compulsory in English shops, supermarkets, shopping centres, transport hubs, banks, building societies, post offices, and when buying food and drink to take away. Face coverings are also already mandatory on public transport. 

DON'T wear N95 masks, DON'T leave any rubbish behind, and it doesn't have to be a mask. A scarf for a shopping trip will prevent us spraying COVID around the shop and all over the produce too - remember it has to cover your nose as well as your mouth. Washable reusable masks are a fashion statement - and there are loads of small businesses selling them online if you don't want to make your own.

The UK government remind us that it is not your job to challenge people without face coverings  - unless it's actually your job. 

"...remember that it's not possible for people with certain conditions to wear a face covering. Please be mindful that not all disabilities are visible."

Face coverings for shop staff are NOT compulsory. (They really aren't paid enough to have to also wear a face covering for 8 hours a day - our behaviour protects them.) 

Children under age 11 are not required to wear face coverings, and Public Health England advise that children under 3 shouldn't wear face coverings or masks, as there can be a risk of strangulation or smothering. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 20 / 21 July 2020.

The UK added 445 cases today and now has reported a total of 295,817 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 101,741 tests yesterday. On Sunday 19th July 1,612 people were in hospital with COVID, and on Monday 129 people were using a ventilator. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 110 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 45,422 official losses of life in all settings.

England 254,519 / 40,828

Northern Ireland 5,859 / 556

Scotland 18,474 / 2,491

Wales 16,965 / 1,547

Rep. Of Ireland 25,802 (+36) cases and 1,753 losses of life. 

There have now been a total of 14,965,116 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 615,767. Already 8,985,407 people have recovered.

On Sunday, for the first time since the virus took hold in February, Lombardy in Italy reported no daily loss of life to COVID-19.

The Oxford vaccine candidate phase 2 study results are out, and they are excellent. There were no patients who experienced a 'severe clinical event', so it seems safe. The Oxford uni press release tells it very clearly:

"The vaccine provoked a T cell response within 14 days of vaccination (white blood cells that can attack cells infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus), and an antibody response within 28 days (antibodies are able to neutralise the virus so that it cannot infect cells when initially contracted)."

Remember we DO NOT yet have proof that a vaccine will actually prevent you from catching COVID,  or how long it will give immunity for, but this is the best place to start. 

Phase 3 human trials are already underway in two countries where COVID is rife in the community, Brazil and South Africa, and 30,000 patients are being recruited in the USA. There will also be a paediatric study. 

The Teen Calm box is exactly what it sounds like - a box full of soothing and relaxing goodies to make any young person feel cared for and calmed. I was asked if we'd like to receive a box to review and as I don't have any actual teenagers here at the moment, my almost 12 year old son said he'd happily take a look. 

Uncertainty and changed plans are things my son finds quite hard, so a global pandemic and closing schools aren't exactly what he'd have chosen for 2020. I know he isn't alone. Teen Calm has come along at the perfect time... 

Boxes such as this are generally aimed at girls, so I'm especially impressed with the fact that Teen Calm have worked hard to make their product accessible to everyone, with a feminine or gender-neutral option. 

"Teen Calm is for anyone who needs their confidence lifting and a little reminder that they’re not alone. Any teen out there who feels left out, anxious, or in need of an extra boost, will benefit from the Teen Calm subscription box."

Although their main business is in subscriptions, you can also order a one-off Mystery Box, also in feminine or gender-neutral. 

Inside everything is wrapped in tissue, which my son really liked - apparently boys don't often get specially wrapped packages, so that's a win. And it is true.