COVID-19 Coronavirus and other viruses UK and World News Update 12th August 2022

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other viruses UK and World News Update 12th August 2022

World COVID Statistics: 

Cases: 593,567,442

Losses Of Life: 6,449,589

UK COVID stats regarding cases, hospitalisations and deaths are on the way down. According to the ONS random survey week ending 25th July for Wales and Northern Ireland, and 26th July for England and Scotland:

"The percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) continued to decrease in England, Wales and Scotland; and the trend remained uncertain in Northern Ireland."

- England, estimate 2,106,000, equating to 3.86% of the population, or around 1 in 25 people.

- Wales, estimate 108,800, equating to 3.58% of the population, or around 1 in 30 people.

- Northern Ireland, estimate 109,800, equating to 5.98% of the population, or around 1 in 17 people.

- Scotland, estimate 260,800, equating to 4.95% of the population, or around 1 in 20 people.

A clinically extremely vulnerable chap named Nicholas Chavez has pulled out some exciting COVID stats for us. That's exciting as in startling rather than fun... we'll start with England’s COVID hospital admissions in the first week of August: 

2022: 6,842

2021: 4,738

2020: 411

And how about England’s excess deaths during the month of July (more deaths than average, via the ONS):

2022: 6,260

2021: 2,109

2020: −1,018

Well, that's going well then. Funny how well masks, distancing, being sensible and acting like we might have a disease worked, as compared to this year's "it's finished, we're done with that now. Move on".... 

Ad | 15 Ways Your Baby’s Name Can Shape Their Future

15 Ways Your Baby’s Name Can Shape Their Future

Once your baby has been placed in your arms, the next step is to select a simple, modern, and sweet name for the baby. The most difficult part is selecting a meaningful name. But does it end with the meaning only?

You may find it funny but your baby’s name can impact their future. There are studies claiming that certain names can cause hatred, love, and success. As a parent, that news may be shocking. All this time you thought there were no 'good' or 'bad' names, yet here we are.

1. Is It Easy to Pronounce?

A Marquette University study suggests that an easy-to-pronounce name can help get more favor from others. They have a higher chance of reaching a reputed position. For example, Frank is one of the more easily-pronounced Norse names for boys. This is because of the way our brain process a name. Simple names are easy to memorise, and then we tend to like it more.

COVID-19 Coronavirus and Monkeypox UK and World News Update 5th August 2022

COVID-19 Coronavirus and Monkeypox UK and World News Update 5th August 2022

The UK is currently reporting an average of around 9,000 new COVID cases per day, and 120 losses of life. 

World COVID Total: 587,110,053 reported cases and 6,431,557 losses of life.

"ONS deaths data has been released for week ending 22 July, the week of the heatwave.

1,885 more deaths were recorded in-week compared to the 2015-19 average. That’s 21% more.

Year-to-date there have been 320,980 deaths recorded which is 4% more than the 2015-19 average." 

Stuart McDonald, COVID Actuaries. 

No surprise that death registrations for the week of the UK heatwave show a marked increase. Not all deaths which occurred will show in these figures, so there'll also be a higher than average total next week too. COVID losses are also showing a marked increase in the previous week, up to 745.

I am sorry to everyone who lost somebody they cared for.

We have some excellent news from the COVID Actuaries, COVID is truly DOWN:

"Hospital admissions with COVID are now falling rapidly across England. 7-day average is down 21% week-on-week. Implied R estimate is around 0.9.

Regionally, falls of between 13% (Midlands) and 25% (South West).

Bed occupancy with COVID is also falling, down 17% week-on-week."

Good stuff. 

Sorry about July's #TBCSmiles...

So there were no #TBCSmiles in July. My mother had died, and the funeral was on the 19th. I was exhausted and having a desperately needed few days at home with my family. They needed me to be there, even if just to ruffle their hair occasionally and feed them something including vegetables. I needed some normality and a break. 

Funerals are mainly organised by other people after talking to you, but they are still really stressful. It was forecast to be the actual hottest day ever, and with people travelling (mainly by train) from all over the country, any stress was doubled. We went down a day early, and avoided the midday. It was a mere 31 degrees in the shade at 7am...

Ad | 4 Fantastic Ways to Light Your Home

4 Fantastic Ways to Light Your Home

Light is a fundamental part of every interior design project; it can do wonders at improving

the look of a space and alter the aesthetic of a room.

A well-designed lighting plan can make even the smallest of rooms seem open, and the

dullest of décor look bright.

If your renovation is need of a lighting lift to brighten up your home, then here are four

fantastic ways to light up your home.

1) Fun Neon Fixtures

Lighting is serious business, but that doesn’t mean you need to be serious. Have some fun

with your fixtures and turn your lighting into a talking point.

While neon signs are often associated with commercial properties, they’re becoming a

popular addition to homes as well.

Companies like Sculpt Neon Signs allow you to design the ideal neon sign to suit the

aesthetic of whatever room you want to install it in. Kitchens are a particularly popular

placement, so why not think of a catchy breakfast slogan to hang on the wall?

COVID-19 Coronavirus (and Monkeypox) UK and World News Update Friday 29th July 2022

COVID-19 Coronavirus (and Monkeypox) UK and World News Update Friday 29th July 2022

World: 580,003,877 reported cases and 6,415,501 losses of life.

"Many people now are boasting about the fact "I've had this four times". I wouldn't like to have COVID19 four times. And I do think there's some evidence to suggest that sequential COVID19 infections do result in higher risk of long term Long COVID, or cardiovascular or neurologic complications. You don't want to get this disease once if you can avoid it, and you don't want to get it four times for sure.

Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director of WHO Health Emergencies Programme.

"The risk of monkeypox to the public remains low in the UK.

If you develop symptoms, stay at home and call 111 or a sexual health clinic.

The NHS is vaccinating at-risk groups and thousands more will be invited shortly. If eligible, please come forward when contacted."

Message there from the UK Government.

UK COVID hospital admissions are down - everyone together "Hurrah!"

The lovely COVID Actuaries have summarised neatly for us:

"Hospital admissions with COVID are now falling rapidly across England.

7-day average is down 19% week-on-week. Implied R estimate is below 0.9.

Regionally, falls of between 14% (East and NW) and 25% (London).

Bed occupancy with COVID is also falling, down 15% week-on-week."

Nice...

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 22nd July 2022

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 22nd July 2022

UK: 23,212,565 reported cases and 182,727 losses of life (within 28 days of a positive test) as of July 15th. 

World: 573,017,988 reported cases and 6,398,940 losses of life.

"The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration has been established to secure a broad consensus from across the whole of the United Kingdom on how we commemorate the COVID-19 pandemic and mark this distinctive period in our history at a national and community level. The Commission is expected to report to the Prime Minister [whoever that may be] by the end of March 2023."

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update Friday 15th July 2022

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update Friday 15th July 2022

UK COVID Statistics:
In England from 2nd to 8th July 691 people died within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test. This shows an increase of 32.6% compared to the previous 7 days.
In Scotland 4th July to 10th July there were 83 deaths involving COVID-19 (22 more than the previous week). The provisional total number of all deaths registered in Scotland in week 27 was 1,089 (62 or 6% above the 5-year average).
In Wales and Northern Ireland I cannot find any figures more recent than weeks old, so we'll leave that. They're basically using the ONS random sampling rather than stats from testing, which frankly is probably a lot closer to the truth now that testing is not free or easily accessed. 

Rep. Of Ireland Wednesday 13th July: 1,628,745 cases (+1,207) and 7,571 losses of life (+35).

World: 565,855,152 reported cases and 6,383,315 losses of life.

I wrote most of this on my phone on a train again, and I've had another incredibly busy week, so sorry if I missed anything! 

ONS (Office for National Statistics) figures show that over 200,000 people in the UK have now had their life cut short by COVID. 

The latest data from the ONS random sampling (COVID19 Infection Survey) shows infection rates have continued to climb across all four UK countries. For the week ending 6th July for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and 7th July  for Scotland:
England, estimate 2,873,600, equating to 5.27% of the population, or around 1 in 19 people.
Wales, estimate 183,500, equating to 6.04% of the population, or around 1 in 17 people.
Northern Ireland, estimate 107,600, equating to 5.86% of the population, or around 1 in 17 people.
Scotland, estimate 334,000, equating to 6.34% of the population, or around 1 in 16 people.

We have infection levels higher than the 2020 Alpha variant peak, but the good news is that the number of people who die is way way lower. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 8th July 2022

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 8th July 2022

UK COVID Statistics on 6th July according to Medriva:
Cases: 22,883,995 (+142,930 over the previous 5 days, average 28,586 per day)
Losses of Life: 180,718 (+301 over previous 5 days, average 60 per day)

Rep. Of Ireland: 1,614,631 cases and 7,503 losses of life to 7th July.

World: 558,995,701 reported cases and 6,369,701 losses of life.

"Surveillance indicators suggest that, at a national level, COVID-19 activity has increased in several indicators in week 26 of 2022.
The number of acute respiratory infection incidents (suspected outbreaks) increased in England to 504 in week 26, compared to 382 in the previous week."
UK Government
Yes indeedy, COVID numbers continue to rise, and the number of people in hospital is now almost at the level of the last peak in April. English hospital admissions are still highest in those aged over 85, and now highest in the West Midlands.

The COVID Actuaries:
"Hospital admissions with COVID are still rising sharply across England. 7-day average is up 31% week-on-week. All regions seeing fairly consistent growth. Implied R estimate still at around 1.17.
London has now equalled the March peak.
Bed occupancy with COVID is above 12,000."
Yowch.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 1st July 2022

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 1st July 2022

UK: 22,741,065 reported cases and 180,417 losses of life. 

World: 552,972,953 reported cases and 6,358,508 losses of life.

You are going to have to bear with me a bit, because I'm still writing on my phone and not at home at the moment. Give me a couple of weeks and hopefully we'll be back to normal. 

Latest English hospital admissions are still rising fast - on Wednesday we were up 37% week-on-week, approaching 1,200. 

Bed occupancy with COVID is up by 35% to 8,120. Yowch. 

The experts are beginning to twitch a little at the thought of next Winter - I forsee more jabs this Autumn...

Some English hospital trusts are bringing back a requirement to wear masks. I reported back on 9th June that hospital-acquired illness was rising even faster than community transmission, and I suspect that is still the case. You are far more likely to pass on COVID to elderly sick Gladys in the bed next to the patient you are visiting, than to someone you pass in the supermarket, and Gladys is more likely to die as a result. Hospitals are full of sick and vulnerable people, and people who are interacting with sick and vulnerable people. It's common sense to try to protect them. 

UK GPs are threatening strike action over a new contract that forces them to work Saturdays and evenings.

Just hours after the above story, the BBC was reporting that within a decade around 1/4 of GP positions in England are likely to become vacant.

Well, at the moment you have more chance of being accepted onto UK medical courses if you were born into wealth than any other quality. We actually don't need doctors who can ride a pony. We need doctors who are keen and able - however much wealth their parents earned or inherited. Remove the glass ceiling, support tuition financially and properly invest in our future medics. Or keep dragging them in from countries which are desperately in need of doctors... 

The Zoe app. may have lost it's UK Government funding, but they are still keeping an eye on UK infection rates, and spoiler, its bad news. The ONS random sampling backs that up with more scientific data. 1,829,100 people are estimated to have had COVID in the week ending 23th June. 

It's become apparent that while married Boris Johnson (BJ) was working at the foreign office, he was caught while at work, receiving an oral massage (BJ) from a young lady who went on to get a £100,000 job and later become his new wife. The word is that The Times removed the article due to pressure from within Downing Street. I'll bet. Carrie won't have wanted that one leaked. 

I guess Boris would say to move on, it was a work event and he was only there for 10 minutes.  

The US FDA panel has recommended changing Covid shots to specifically fight omicron this Autumn, and has asked vaccine manufacturers to update vaccines accordingly and begin trials.  

Possibly partly in response to the FDA Panel recommendations, the US Government has signed a fresh contract with Pfizer worth $3.2 billion. 

Omicron BA.5 is now taking over in several areas, including the UK and USA. Sheer volume of infections means although vaccines are still keeping most people out of hospitals, numbers are going up and the death rate is also rising. Past infection is little protection against reinfection from BA.5 and in heavily vaccinated Portugal, hospitals are struggling. 

Monkeypox continues to spread, with over 1000 cases in the UK now. If you have a strange rash, don't go to a sex spa, instead check with your doctor. It is still mainly spreading among people having intimate contact. Sexual partners and households of people infected. 

The World Health Organisation have not yet declared Monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, but they are likely to - becauaw once it spreads to local wildlife its incredibly hard to eradicate. Some experts are now asking if we are moving too slowly with this one and failing to use lessons learned from COVID. 

USA Chief Medical Advisor Dr Anthony Fauci has said he's now taking a second course of antiviral Paxlovid, after suffering what's being called "Paxlovid rebound". If you recall, this is where the antiviral doesn't actually help enough for the body to fully beat COVID, so after the course of treatment ends, symptoms return. People generally don't become seriously ill when this occurs, and a second course of antiviral should be enough to do the trick. Mr Fauci is 81. 

Canadian researchers think they’ve found a key clue as to what causes Long COVID. A team of researchers in Ontario focusing on breathing problems have discovered a microscopic abnormality in the way oxygen moves from the lungs to the blood vessels. They have been following 1w hospitalised and 22 non-hospitalised patients for 9 months to see why they arw exhausted and breaghless. That esearch is continuing.  

You more vulnerable people, I may have lost my mum, but I'm never going to forget the rest of you. Those of you who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, or anyone who will always be especially vulnerable to COVID - you still matter. You still deserve our protection, and our care. Don't be scared to ask for space, or wear a mask, or whatever makes you feel safer.  

No world numbers because I simply don't have time today. Sorry. Hopefully they will be back next week, but in the meantime you can find them all at Worldometer or John's Hopkins. They are all people... 

Back next Friday, remember to treat yourself and be kind. You deserve it. Give yourself a pat on the back for all that you have achieved over the past week, and don't ever think there was nothing - you have always done something that was difficult for you. Credit yourself. 

Sources: 

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

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

https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

https://t.co/0lavAOaeYK

https://twitter.com/COVID19actuary/status/1542165358609588235?t=ZiI6KDJwMtXOqbs8OqhHUw&s=19

https://news.upday.com/uk/call-for-autumn-boosters-as-another-covid-wave-hits-britain-see-the-hotspots/

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-omicron-vaccine-news-b2110061.html

https://twitter.com/Rebeccasmt/status/1542075562293870593?t=poncLatBpXeFOsSUaZXnhg&s=19

https://twitter.com/AdeleGroyer/status/1534817326637502464?t=sf_3iWGgNH6wZbZwqrT3lg&s=19

Doctors

https://twitter.com/i/events/1542095684794474496?t=MnQV2W8DFK-JjCoPvOTnHQ&s=09

https://twitter.com/BBCHughPym/status/1542393232713203715?t=Yg_L2eCEkXj7m4pnerYpRw&s=19

https://inews.co.uk/news/science/covid-case-surging-300000-day-warning-autumn-wave-worse-1713005

https://news.yahoo.com/pfizer-signs-3-2-billion-210047641.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/28/fda-panel-recommends-changing-covid-shots-to-fight-omicron-this-fall-.html

https://twitter.com/DrEricDing/status/1541418780210995200?t=OG8d4mhZqmXJt9GCMIidgg&s=09

And more BA.5

https://twitter.com/DrEricDing/status/1542115126215598080?t=Uf12XbvKfO9vaDNZLYAyUw&s=19

https://news.sky.com/story/monkeypox-cases-in-the-uk-rise-to-more-than-1000-latest-figures-show-12641999

https://twitter.com/zeynep/status/1542150260918816772?t=fj7zYrnXhV-8Q7E8i29ntA&s=19

https://twitter.com/T_Inglesby/status/1542220342072049666?t=fM4ViM46_DLQid4ZedV1WQ&s=19

https://twitter.com/i/events/1541846548845367302?t=f0RzC3LcVLBVRXXr1XTjeA&s=09

https://www.dnaindia.com/health/report-massive-breakthrough-as-cancer-disappears-in-every-patient-in-drug-trial-dostarlimab-2958614