COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 22nd /23rd January 2022
UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 15,859,288 (+74,799)
Losses of Life: 153,862 (+75)
Tests: 1,370,093
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 52,223,105 (90.8% of UK aged 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd Dose: 48,158,421 (83.7%)
Boosted / 3rd Dose: 36,890,079 (64.1%)
Rep. Of Ireland: 1,145,968 (+4,731) cases and 6,087 losses of life.
World: 350,713,601 reported cases and 5,612,098 losses of life.
"I'm no different to thousands of other New Zealanders who have had much more devastating impacts felt by the pandemic, the most gutting of which is the inability to be with a loved one sometimes when they are gravely ill. That will far outstrip any sadness I experience."
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, after cancelling her own wedding due to an Omicron outbreak in New Zealand.
The UK ONS figures estimate that there were around half a million new cases each day in the UK over Christmas.
The Canadian province of Quebec has introduced mandatory vaccinations for anyone wishing to buy alcohol or cannabis. They have also announced they will be implementing an additional 'health contribution' tax for unvaccinated people.
(People exempt for medical reasons are unaffected.)
"Triple-vaccinated people in the global North are rushing to declare the pandemic over, when ZERO (0%) of low-income country populations are triple-vaccinated."
Madhu Pai, MD, PhD, McGill University, Quebec, Canada.
(In fact, to date, according to Our World In Data: "Only 9.5% of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose".)
There were protests across the UK yesterday, including outside the BBC headquarters in London, Regent's street, Liverpool, Birmingham etc. Demonstrators were arguing against vaccine mandates for NHS staff and vaccine passports (the UK domestic versions of which we have already been told will no longer be required by law soon).
Manchester's anti-vaccine mandate protest began in Piccadilly Gardens and they obviously got carried away, because some of the demonstrators stormed the Arndale Centre - where they were in trouble for waving flags and handing out leaflets.
The UK isn't the only place with demonstrations, across Europe people have been protesting their own mandatory vaccinations and COVID certificates/passes - including those being used for travel.
On Friday Republic of Ireland announced they would be lifting most of their COVID restrictions. From Saturday 22nd Jan (yesterday) the following restrictions were removed:
- guidance in relation to household visiting
- early closing time for hospitality and events
- capacity restrictions for outdoor events, including sporting fixtures
- capacity restrictions for indoor events, including weddings
- sectoral protective measures
- restrictions on nightclubs
- requirements to have a valid Digital COVID Certificate to enter various premises
From Monday 24 January, a return to physical attendance in workplaces can commence on a phased basis appropriate to each sector.
A number of public health measures will remain in place until 28 February 2022:
- requirements for mask wearing in all settings where currently regulated for
protective measures in schools and early learning and care facilities
In addition, the government reiterated the need for ongoing close monitoring of the virus.
I think I failed to add this the other day, so sorry if I'm repeating myself, but it's probably worthwhile - Reuters and other media are reporting they've seen documents which say the UK will start charging for lateral flow tests from the end of June. There is no official announcement about this as yet, and everything is subject to potential change at any point, but something to bear in mind, because it's likely to happen eventually. The cost could be around £3 each/£20 for a box of 7.
Researchers at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston, USA, have found that almost 1/3rd of trial participants who received a placebo vaccine also reported adverse reactions, with headache and fatigue being the most common.
This is the “nocebo effect” - side effects from nothing, and it is just as powerful as the "placebo effect" - improvements from nothing. It also suggests that a really large number of people who did receive the vaccine will also have experienced side effects that originated in their own mind.
Research by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) has found that 2/3rds of online anti-vaccination propaganda is created by just 12 people. Most of these influencers claim to be political or medical leaders, and are based in America.
(I am coming across a "medical professionals" who turn out to be exciting things such as "business psychologist", "pet masseuse" and "dance therapist".)
New Zealand is really frustrated by Omicron, reporting another 71 cases in the last 24 hours. On Friday they announced new rules for self-isolation, meaning anyone who tests positive isolates for a full 14 days (must have at least 72 hours symptoms free before ending isolation). Household members of people who test positive must continue to isolate for another 10 days after the positive person - 24 days in total.
All of New Zealand has moved to RED on their traffic light system, meaning:
- Wear a face covering wherever you go. These are mandatory on flights, public transport, taxis, retail, and public venues.
- With a My Vaccine Pass, you can visit cafes and bars, attend gatherings and events, and visit close contact businesses like hairdressers. Some limits like capacity and distancing requirements will apply.
- Without My Vaccine Pass, there are more restrictions in place. For example, you can't visit close contact businesses like hairdressers or gyms, attend events like concerts, or dine in at cafes and restaurants.
- Workplaces and schools are open — public health measures will be in place
- Keep scanning QR codes and recordkeeping wherever you go
- Keep physically distanced wherever possible
- If you have cold or flu symptoms, isolate immediately and call Healthline for advice about a test.
Kiribati has remained COVID-free for the entire pandemic, and for the last 10 months the borders have been shut. They reopened a few days ago, and 36 of the 54 passengers from the very first inbound flight have tested positive. 2 employees of the quarantine facility and another islander have now also tested positive. Seriously, how unlucky can you get?
Kiribati officials have declared a State Of Disaster.
Residents aren't allowed to travel between areas, and affected populations are locked down.
Global Health students at Trinity College Dublin have organised a week of action to promote ending the Covid-19 Pandemic through vaccine equity - the fair sharing of vaccines with the world. The students all wore red, took part in a minute's silence, and the facade of Trinity College was lit up red for the week.
Tonga turned away an aid flight from Australia after a person on board tested positive for COVID. Tonga is one of very few places in the entire world which is COVID-free (total to date 1 case, recovered).
It is lovely of anyone to send them aid, but the last thing they need right now is an extra gift like COVID. Doh!
Hopefully we'll all have a quieter week this week. The number of you guys with COVID seems insane right now - so a hug and a virtual Lemsip to everyone suffering. Remember to sleep, rest, and take it easy. You can't see the damage COVID causes inside you, but it is hard work for your body to repair, so it will take a while and you will be exhausted. Be kind to yourself.
Some people. All on the same piece of rock, looking up at the same sky:
Countries / Cases / Losses of life yesterday - full 24 hours until midnight GMT:
France 16,390,818 (+389,320) 128,514 (+167)
India 39,237,264 (+333,533) 489,422 (+511)
Brazil 23,960,207 (+202,466) 622,979 (+332)
Italy 9,781,191 (+171,263) 143,296 (+289)
Germany 8,641,865 (+105,903) 117,323 (+104)
Argentina 7,792,652 (+98,146) 119,103 (+134)
UK 15,784,489 (+76,808) 153,787 (+297)
Turkey 10,881,626 (+72,856) 85,784 (+184)
Portugal 2,176,256 (+58,131) 19,539 (+43)
Australia 2,148,127 (+57,522) 3,063 (+74)
Russia 11,044,986 (+57,212) 325,433 (+681)
Peru 2,894,215 (+54,696) 204,141 (+147)
Belgium 2,697,239 (+54,478) 28,780 (+21)
Mexico 4,595,589 (+49,906) 302,721 (+331)
Japan 2,067,062 (+49,531) 18,478 (+9)
Netherlands 3,824,344 (+46,057) 21,210 (+10)
Israel 2,212,596 (+44,580) 8,393 (+22)
Poland 4,484,130 (+40,911) 103,819 (+193)
Denmark 1,304,401 (+33,835) 3,596 (+25)
Philippines 3,387,388 (+30,416) 53,405 (+96)
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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.yahoo.com/zealand-outbreak-forces-pm-ardern-001429086.html
https://news.upday.com/uk/half-a-million-new-covid-19-cases-each-day-in-uk-over-christmas/
https://news.upday.com/uk/what-experts-say-about-mandatory-vaccination/
https://twitter.com/paimadhu/status/1484937784435556352?t=XxMSiACougkUVJO0ZiVrgw&s=19
https://www.insider.com/tonga-turns-away-plane-volcano-aid-positive-covid-19-test-2022-1
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/exclusive-britain-preparing-end-june-switch-paid-covid-tests-document-2022-01-18/
NHS 100 Anti vaccine mandate marches:
https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHS100K?t=9SUj6E8tKTjNRvGL7LefAg&s=09
https://twitter.com/BreesAnna/status/1484881965929181186
https://twitter.com/TheDisg78089244/status/1484901255659102214
Anti- vaccine mandate protestors
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/hundreds-protesters-storm-arndale-centre-22841319
Ireland Trinity students Dublin
https://twitter.com/DrTedros/status/1484590575689084932?t=KYRl8Txmb9-6hSjJ2YAR8g&s=19
https://universitytimes.ie/2022/01/trinity-students-launch-vaccine-equity-campaign/
https://twitter.com/i/events/1484805345507627008?t=p32Vy3WLZWX67A1sMVeZgA&s=09
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/0fc0d-government-announces-that-most-of-the-public-health-measures-currently-in-place-can-be-removed/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3361b-public-health-updates/
https://twitter.com/PoliticsForUK/status/1485011069349281794?t=7hsMw3RL4sOfLLyy2_4vEQ&s=19
https://twitter.com/danwootton/status/1484495518474682368?t=VG6umTozGr7AwmgRPiDOgA&s=19
https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/01/22/covid-rules-could-see-household-contacts-of-positive-case-isolate-for-24-days/
https://news.yahoo.com/zealand-outbreak-forces-pm-ardern-001429086.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall&s=09
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-data-and-statistics/covid-19-current-cases
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
https://covid19.govt.nz/traffic-lights/life-at-red/
https://www.facebook.com/ob.gov.ki/videos/477600280410328/
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/kiribati-flight-reopening-covid-island-passengers-b1997764.html
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-60092463
https://inews.co.uk/news/covid-vaccine-side-effects-placebo-adverse-events-jab-study-1408939
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