The UK added 3,985 cases today and now has reported a total of 190,584 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 85,186 tests yesterday. The UK has 13,258 people in hospital, down from 14,284 yesterday. We have 3,413 free critical care beds
In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 288 people to COVID-19 - our lowest figure since March, but remember it is from weekend reporting, which is always low. We now sadly have lost 28,734 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in all UK settings.
England 126,346 / 25,785
Northern Ireland 3,836 / 381
Scotland 12,266 / 1,571
Wales 10,524 / 997
Rep. Of Ireland have 21,772 cases and 1,319 losses of life.
There have now been 3,611,394 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 250,125. Already 1,171,046 people have recovered.
"The race to find a vaccine is not a competition between countries, but the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes. It's humanity against the virus. We're in this together, and together we will prevail." Boris Johnson.
Matt Hancock, Health secretary did the UK press briefing today and explained about the test, track and trace. It's piloting in the Isle Of Wight this week. It is bluetooth, but conserves power. If you become unwell, you inform the NHS and then anyone who has been in close contact will be notified.
In theory everyone is then tested to see how far COVID-19 has spread and who has caught it, and they isolate.
(You need at least 50% of people who are out and about to download and use the app. for it to really work, ideally at least 80%).
The social distancing measures bring the number of cases down. Test, track and trace will help keep it down. The less cases we have, the more effective test, track and trace can be.
It is hoped it will be up and running by the middle of this month UK wide.
Press asked is it just the app.? Prof John Newton, coordinator of the national testing effort, said we will also have 'shoe leather epidemiology', with real people going out and finding contacts of people who are ill.
They also asked about personal information. Your phone holds all information, no personal details are contained or generated. Once someone has symptoms and contacts the NHS, then the data from their phone is shared and it says which phones they were in contact with.
Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, explained about the antibody testing. There are now 2 excellent antibody tests and the UK is evaluating them both. We have a trial to see who has antibodies, how long they last, and do they prevent you becoming ill again. Matt Hancock is taking part, as he has had COVID-19. Press asked if he'd be happy to go into a room full of people now? He clearly said "No. Not yet". That was honest!
The Nightingale Hospital in London is being 'stood down' for now. It is our insurance, and will be in place for as long as we may need it. It never had more than 100 patients at a single time, and the fact it was never full is nothing short of a massive success.
Co-hosting today's conference were a very exciting party list:
Ursula Von Der Leyen - President of the EU Commission
Charles Michel, President of the EU Council
Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations
Dr Tedros, Head of The World Health Organisation
Emmanuel Macron, French President
Angela Merkel, German Chancellor
Abe Shinzo, Prime Minister of Japan
Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Guiseppe Conte, President of Italy
Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain
Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the UK
Tawfiq B In Fawzan Al-Ribiah, Minister for Health, Saudi Arabia
At least 25 other heads of state, heads of government and other dignitaries were in attendance. Think James Bond, but on a massive scale.
The UK have already pledged £388m in funding to the Global Response – part of a larger £744m existing UK aid commitment, which includes £250 million for CEPI (the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) to develop vaccines against coronavirus.
The UK are genuinely very likely to be among the first to have a population-ready vaccine. Don't ever forget though, that any Western nation with a vaccine gets a head start on re-opening their economy to the full. There's also the fact that every human on the planet will want this vaccine, and depending on how long immunity lasts, it could be repeat business, or even an annual sale. Whoever sells their vaccine, even if it's for pennies, will be able to recover everything they put in.
The EU have given regulatory approval for the MosaiQ serological screening machines (which have 100 per cent sensitivity and 99.8 per cent specificity - no false negatives).
Donald Trump didn't take Sunday off. He is back talking about how great Hydroxychloroquine is, despite many countries ceasing trials due to adverse side effects, and unsuitability for many patients with heart problems or diabetes. He blames the democrats for the drug's negative press. Ermmmm.
Trump also seems pretty confident about a vaccine being ready this year, which isn't what the companies making it are saying:
“The doctors would say, well, you shouldn't say that. I'll say what I think.”
(Really? We hadn't noticed).
“I met with the heads of the big companies, these are great companies. I think we're going to have a vaccine much sooner than later.”
I'm going to keep listening to the doctors I think.
Japan have extended their state of emergency until May 31, but are prepared to consider lifting it in specific prefectures if conditions are right on May 14th.
Followers of 'PE with Joe' Wicks might have to manage without him for a few days as he needs to rest his wrist injury. Anyone who doesn't find him easy on the eye might be delighted to know his wife has temporarily taken over - glamour model Rosie Jones.
Spain has reported it's lowest loss of people in 7 weeks, and starts reducing lockdown restrictions today. They have a 4 phase plan spread over the month. Some small businesses can reopen, including take away food, bookstores and hardware, and bizarrely beauty salons. Masks are mandatory on public transport, and today 6m masks were distributed to transport hubs to ensure the public have access to them.
Peru have a 4 phase reopening too. They have surging COVID-19 cases, but are struggling to survive after 8 weeks of lockdown, and need to get people back to work. Mining and industry, construction, services and tourism, and commerce will re-open during May.
Portugal lifted their state of emergency yesterday and start reducing lockdown restrictions today. Shops can open, including hairdressers and beauty salons for appointments only. Face masks or visors are mandatory in shops and on public transport - fines are up to €350.
Someone in the UK has been given a 6 month sentence for spitting at a police officer. Well-deserved.
Lost Their Fight:
Musician and member of The Stranglers, Dave Greenfield.
Peru have given an early release 'pardon' to non-violent prisoners who are pregnant, and mothers who are in prison with their children.
Afghanistan have released 650 Taliban prisoners since March 10th, in an effort to help stave off prison outbreaks.
The UK have identified around 4,000 prisoners suitable for early release, but have so far only released 33, starting with those who are pregnant. 15 UK prisoners are known to have died from COVID-19.
Back when we had the last proper pandemic, face coverings became mandatory in parts of the world, including the USA. Here's a snappy advertising jingle from 1918:
“Obey the laws and wear the gauze. Protect your jaws from septic paws.”
On Saturday France's Health Minister said they would be imposing a 14 day quarantine for arrivals, but yesterday clarified to CNN it will not apply to the Schengen countries of the EU or the UK.
Don't forget Ancestry dot co dot uk is FREE for everyone until 10th May , as part of the VE Day celebrations.
21 year old Somali mechanical engineer, Mohamad Adawe, has invented a homemade respirator, to try to help his country during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Somalia has a health system which has pretty much no money, and artificial breathing is often reliant on medical staff squeezing an airbag with their hand. Mohamad said:
"So, my automated device can be attached to the patient's face and moved away from them, as a social distancing measure."
Bless him.
An article in Scientific American this week reiterates that if we weren't destroying habitats, we wouldn't push animal and human populations closer together, and we'd be at less risk of future pandemics.
There's a lot we can learn from this entire experience - if we choose to.
Italians are finally allowed out today, as their lockdown restrictions begin to lift. Outdoor exercise is now allowed, and some people are returning to work. Travel is only allowed with specific reason, but people can now see their friends and family - as long as they follow social distancing rules.
"A new community hospital, named in honour of the pioneering nurse Mary Seacole, is opening in Surrey today as part of the NHS response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The NHS Seacole Centre, the first of its kind in England, will be used as a temporary service for patients who are recovering from covid-19."
If you don't know who Mary Seacole is - that's your homework.
Some people. All with a place they call home:
Countries / cases / losses of life (some states yet to report):
USA 1,199,122 (+11,000) 69,035 (+437)
Spain 248,301 (+1,179) 25,428 (+164)
Italy 211,938 (+1,221) 29,079 (+195)
UK 190,584 (+3,985) 28,734 (+288)
France 168,693 not yet reported today 24,895
Germany 165,745 (+81) 6,866
Russia 145,268 (+10,581) 1,356 (+76)
Turkey 126,045 not yet reported today 3,397
Brazil 101,826 (+679) 7,051 (+26)
Iran 98,647 (+1,223) 6,277 (+74)
China 82,880 (+3) 4,633
Canada 59,858 (+384) 3,767 (+85)
Belgium 50,267 (+361) 7,924 (+80)
Peru 45,928 Not yet reported today 1,286
India 42,836 (+331) 1,395 (+4)
Netherlands 40,770 (+199) 5,082 (+26)
Sources:
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/
https://rpp.pe/politica/gobierno/coronavirus-en-peru-gobierno-estas-son-las-actividades-economicas-que-se-reanudaran-en-la-fase-1-noticia-1262813
https://twitter.com/SimeonTegel/status/1257319815032627202
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/stopping-deforestation-can-prevent-pandemics/
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/uk-scientists-edinburgh-create-fast-and-accurate-antibody-test-results-35-minutes-nhs-miss-european-a4430811.html
https://www.euronews.com/2020/05/02/somali-engineer-creates-home-made-respirator-to-ease-country-s-covid-19-crisis
https://twitter.com/MichiyoCNA/status/1257223036123508737
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/may/03/the-big-picture-spreading-the-message-about-the-1918-pandemic
https://europa.eu/global-response/
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-its-humanity-against-the-virus
https://www.england.nhs.uk/2020/05/temporary-nhs-community-hospital-in-surrey-named-after-mary-seacole/
https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-pandemic-05-04-20-intl/h_c774ef80bff406bee049552ad80c0117
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52445806
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/03/trump-predicts-vaccine-end-of-year-233330
https://twitter.com/QuickTake/status/1257248635747696641
https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0504/1136403-coronavirus/
contact tracing taiwan
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2765641
https://twitter.com/BBCHughPym/status/1257279302158168064?s=19
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-its-humanity-against-the-virus
https://twitter.com/stuartlauscmp/status/1257241998483914752?s=19
Love that you compared Coronavirus Global Response International Pledging Conference to James Bond. And how awesome is Mohamad Adawe? What an amazing achievement xx
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