The Brick Castle: COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 8th / 9th May 2021.

Sunday, 9 May 2021

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 8th / 9th May 2021.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 8th / 9th May 2021.

The UK added 1,770 cases today and now has reported a total of 4,434,860 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 1,067,566 tests yesterday.

The counter says 35,371,669 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 17,669,379 people had received 2 doses and are fully vaccinated.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 2 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 127,605 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 252,809 (+506) cases and 4,921 (+2) losses of life.

There have now been a total of 158,760,290 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 3,302,449. Already 136,261,730 people have recovered.

2in3 UK adults have now had a dose of COVID vaccine

"The coronavirus has caused much death and suffering, affecting the lives of all, especially those of the most vulnerable. I ask you not to forget those who are most vulnerable. #VaxLive #AVaccineforthePoor"
Pope Francis

2 out of 3 UK adults have now received at least 1 dose of a vaccine.
1 out of 3 UK adults is fully vaccinated with both doses.

I had my jab yesterday, as did my partner. Neither of us cried, which surprised me, because it's a really emotional thing isn't it? There was a real air of nervous excitement and 'shared hopes'. We did however walk all the way home (in the pouring rain) grinning like winners.

Clive Dix, who is just leaving his role as a stand-in head of the UK's JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations), has been quoted in the Telegraph as saying he believes COVID won't be circulating in the UK by sometime in August. He feels certain all adults will be vaccinated, and that the vaccinations will offer protection against known variants.
I'd take that. That would be epic. I tend to be a little more reserved in my predictions, but fingers crossed he's right.

2nd dose provdes longer term protection. Don't delay, get yours C

indieSAGE have asked that the upcoming Champions League match between Man City and Chelsea is played in the UK, rather than Turkey. They have a raft of scientific evidence to support this, but common sense and the fact Turkey is struggling pretty badly at the moment, so inessential travel is banned, really is enough.

Indian capital Delhi is due to come out of their already extended lockdown on Monday morning. Delhi has a population of just under 20m people, and has reported an average 19,000 new cases a day for the past week. That's actually an improvement from 20,000 cases a day the week before, but with hospitals already over capacity, and desperate calls for oxygen cylinders still happening, it isn't enough to reopen with any confidence.

Reuters are reporting that the EU is not going to renew their deal with AstraZeneca when it ends in June.
This isn't a surprise. AstraZeneca did really let them down by failing to supply over 50% of their orders so far this year, and the EU are taking them to court over it. It doesn't make for a jolly business relationship.
Currently some EU countries have bans on using the jab on people under 30, 40, 50 or another age, and a couple still have outdated bans on using it on elderly people - after an initial lack of data last year.
Obviously EU countries can independently choose to buy their own doses of whichever vaccine they approve of.

UK school children aged 4-14 have until 5pm Friday May 28th to think up, draw and post a Royal Mail stamp design honouring their UK COVID heroes, and win between £100 to £1,000 in high street vouchers.
8 final stamp designs will be chosen to go into circulation, but there are over 100 regional and national prizes for runners up, and each prize winner's school, nursery, scout group, home school group etc. will also win £100 - £1,000.
Stampcompetition dot ichild dot co dot uk for full terms and conditions.

ITV has a great article about some of the weird and wonderful incentives people are being offered alongside vaccination.
Lots of countries offer extra events and indoor leisure opportunities to vaccinated people, but some give you a free gift as you get vaccinated.
We've already had eggs, joints and beer, but in parts of Gujarat, India, they don't mess about. Women have been offered a gold nose stud, and men get a hand blender. Sounds fair to me!

Apparently there'll be an English briefing tomorrow, and we will be told about further relaxation of restrictions. Rumour is that the effects from vaccination are so astoundingly good, you'll be able to hug relatives and friends from May 17th. That gives you a week to be extra good about washing your hands whenever you leave or arrive anywhere, and practise gentle hugs. It's been a while, we don't want you squeezing each other too hard.

Some numbers. All were their parent's most precious gift:

Countries / Cases / Losses of life (since midnight GMT. In larger countries some states /provinces have yet to report today):

USA 33,456,913 (+2,332) 595,619 (+31)

India 22,602,596 (+306,685) 245,256 (+2,858)

Brazil 15,150,628 not yet reported today 421,484

France 5,767,959 not yet reported today 106,277

Turkey 5,016,141 not yet reported today 42,746

Russia 4,880,262 (+8,419) 113,326 (+334)

UK 4,434,860 (+1,770) 127,605 (+2)

Italy 4,111,210 (+8,292) 122,833 (+139)

Spain 3,567,408 not yet reported today 78,792

Germany 3,523,190 (+3,940) 85,324 (+72)

Poland 2,833,052 (+3,852) 70,012 (+147)

Iran 2,654,811 (+14,141) 74,910 (+386)

Mexico 2,364,617 (+2,743) 218,928 (+271)