COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 12 / 13 August 2020.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 12 / 13 August 2020.

"The data for deaths in England have been updated to include deaths within 28 days of the first laboratory-confirmed test. The 60–day measure will be added to the dashboard in due course." UK Gov.
(As a result of website faffing, information today is late and incomplete.)

The UK officially added 1,009 cases today and now has reported a total of 313,798 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 116,311 tests yesterday. 952 people were in hospital on Tuesday 11th, with 80 patients using a ventilator yesterday. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we reported the loss of 18 people with 28 days of a positive COVID test result. We now very sadly have a total of 41,347 losses of life in all settings within 28 days of their test.

Rep. Of Ireland 26,929 (+91) cases and 1,774 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 20,949,851 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 750,014. Already 13,806,485 people have recovered.

Welsh, Northern Irish and English A Level students have their results - I hope yours were as you hoped. After the disaster in Scotland earned an apology and the right to take teacher assessed grades or moderated grades, in a late night move on Tuesday, Gavin Williamson announced a "triple lock" for English students. Students can accept moderated teacher assessed grades, mock exam results or retake in Autumn. You also have the right to appeal.... 

Remember school grades only measure a tiny part of who you are. When academic results seem a disaster, it can very often send you heading off in a different direction that suits you better anyway. This year has been an especially hard one, even if you didn't pass your exams, you definitely aren't a failure. 

3 Book Reviews for Reading Together or Younger Independent Readers. (Sent by Matador)

I'm sent a lot of books for review, and I'm ridiculously behind with Young Fiction because, as you may have seen, the Coronavirus is taking up my time. I took a break today and had a look at 3 recent releases which are ideal for reading together, or for children aged around 6+ to read alone. 

The 3 fully illustrated picture story books are all self-published and sent to me by Matador for review - and they are all really good, with bold illustrations, modern style and lots to talk about... 

There's No Place Like... Written by Greta Mitchell and Illustrated by Alice Haskell.

This is a lovely little tale about a big robot which space-loving youngsters might recognise. The Curiosity Rover is sent on a mission to Mars. He is lonely out there and although he is busy doing science, he really wants to find the Opportunity Rover, so that he has a friend.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 10 / 11 August 2020.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 10 / 11 August 2020.

Message on the UK Govt. site - "Owing to technical difficulties, the data will not be updated until 12 August 2020", but they have now released some figures - Losses of life +102 total 46,628. Cases +1,148 total 312,789

The UK added 816 cases yesterday, so the total of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 stands at 311,641. 1,067 people were in hospital last Thursday 6th, with 67 using a ventilator on Friday 7th August. 

Yesterday we reported the loss of another 21 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have an official total of 46,526 UK losses of life in all settings. 

Rep. Of Ireland 26,801 (+33) cases and 1,773 (+1) losses of life.

There have now been a total of 20,382,146 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 741,689. Already 13,280,375 people have recovered.

"There are two essential elements to addressing the #COVID19 pandemic effectively: Leaders must step up to take action and citizens need to embrace new measures." Dr Tedros, WHO. 

ONS figures released today show the number of people with COVID listed as a cause on the death certificate, in England and Wales only, from the beginning of the year until the end of July, was 51,710. Of these, 49,122 people were lost in England, and 2,513 in Wales. 

Nicola Sturgeon has apologised about Scottish student's exam results, saying the government "did not get this right". Teacher assessments for students in the poorest areas were over twice as likely to be downgraded by moderators, than students in the wealthiest areas.
They announced this afternoon that original teacher assessments will stand. Well done to everyone who NOW has the result they worked so hard for. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 8th /9th August 2020.

 COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 8th /9th August 2020.

The UK added 1,062 cases today and now has reported a total of 310,825 positive cases of COVID-19. That is the highest daily total since June 26th. 

We completed 165,176 tests yesterday. 1,067 people were in hospital on Thursday 6th, with 67 using a ventilator on Friday 7th.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we reported the loss of another 8 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 46,574 losses of life in all settings.

England 268,312 / 41,948
Northern Ireland - Not given today (I don't think it's sinister, I think it's just a day off.)
Scotland 18,998 / 2,491
Wales 17,451 / 1,579

Rep. Of Ireland 26,712 (+68) cases and 1,772 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 19,919,745 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 731,727. Already 12,801,438 people have recovered.

The African continent has now reported over 1 million cases
The United States of America has now reported over 5 million cases.
Brazil has now reported that over 100,000 people have succumbed to COVID
By tonight there will be over 20 million cases of COVID reported worldwide.
Almost 13 million people have been reported as recovered.  

Even now, after almost 8 months, COVID has not managed to infiltrate the entire globe. Okay, at least 2 of these countries and territories are maybe not entirely truthful, but I believe most of them when they officially say they have never had a single case:  Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, North Korea, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 7th August 2020.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 7th August 2020.

The UK added 871 cases today and now has reported a total of 309,005 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 185,980 tests yesterday. 1,101 people were in hospital on Wednesday 5th, with 69 using a ventilator.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we announced the loss of another 98 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. Please bear in mind that they often add historical data on a Friday, so 50 of these people at least succumbed earlier this year. We now very sadly have a total of 46,511 officially reported losses of life in all settings.

England 266,645 / 41,886

Northern Ireland 6,064 / 556

Scotland 18,890 / 2,491

Wales 17,406 / 1,578

Rep. Of Ireland 26,372 cases and 1,768 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 19,395,730 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 720,242. Already 12,453,855 people have recovered.

World Mask Week starts today. I've no idea who thought that one up, but it does mean there will be lots of promotions and possibly discounts etc. It's a rare one this - most of the world is actually required to wear masks or face coverings by law, so it's a genuine world event - even if most people won't realise it's happening. 

As part of #WorldMaskWeek, the World Health Organisation have launched the #WearAMask challenge - which seems to basically involve posting a photo of yourself in a mask. Obviously the cooler the better. So for today, if you make or sell face coverings, or if you bought an especially awesome one - feel free to drop a photo (and a link to your etsy or other online shop) in the comments below the post on my Facebook page. 

The UK Government have made it clear they aren't happy with people wearing face visors, or masks with valves (including N95 type), and you shouldn't wear surgical grade masks as that causes shortages for medical and care staff. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 5th/6th August 2020.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 5th/6th August 2020.

The UK added 950 cases today and now has reported a total of 308,134 positive cases of COVID-19 (yes, that is going back up unfortunately). We completed 174,519 tests yesterday. 1,118 people were in hospital on Tuesday 4th August, with 73 patients using a ventilator yesterday. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 49 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 46,413 losses of life in all settings, which is an increase of 203 from 2 days ago.

England 265,849 / 41,795

Northern Ireland 6,049 / 556

Scotland 18,847 / 2,491

Wales 17,389 / 1,571

Rep. Of Ireland 26,303 cases and 1,763 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 19,115,474 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 713,895. Already 12,258,906 people have recovered.

"Today, more than 18.5 million cases of #COVID19 have been reported to WHO and 700,000 lives have been lost.

No country has been spared. Low, middle and high-income countries have all been hit hard. The Americas remain the current epicentre of the virus and have been particularly hit hard. 

Just three countries have reported over half of all COVID19 cases."

Dr Tedros, head of WHO. 

Ex-SAGE member Sir Neil Ferguson has said he believes if we reopen all education then the R number / reproductive rate could increase by as much as 0.5. 

Chris Whitty also warned us that we can't reopen everything, and we have probably reached the limits of what can be opened without risking a dangerous rise in cases. 

It's a play off. If they want to reopen schools, colleges and universities for in-person teaching in September, they'll have to close something else. Bear in mind that from August 1st, shielded people and many others returned to work, so we have already increased opening over where we were when Chris Whitty made those comments. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 3 / 4 August 2020.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update  3 / 4 August 2020.

The UK added 670 cases today and now has reported a total of 306,293 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 158,666 tests yesterday. 1,230 people were in hospital last Thursday 30th, with 86 using a ventilator on Friday 31st.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm the day before yesterday, we lost another 9 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 46,210 losses of life in all settings. Remember these numbers (see below), they are not being updated today.  

England 263,602 / 41,598

Northern Ireland 5,988 / 556

Scotland 18,694 / 2,491

Wales 17,339 / 1,565

Rep. Of Ireland 26,208 cases and 1,763 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 18,548,386 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 699,835. Already 11,765,798 people have been officially reported recovered. The true figure is far greater. 

"On Friday the Emergency Committee on #COVID19 met & reviewed the current pandemic. It was a sobering moment coming 6 months on from when the Committee advised, & I agreed, that the outbreak constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

At the time, 30 January, there were fewer than 100 cases and no deaths outside of China. 

When the Committee met three months ago, 3 million cases of COVID19 had been reported to WHO, and more than 200,000 deaths.

Since then, the number of COVID19 cases has increased more than fivefold to 17.5 million, and the number of deaths has more than tripled, to 680,000."

Dr Tedros, Head of the World Health Organisation on Saturday. 

The UK Government have finally got around to sorting out the broken Public Health England data. They were asked for an urgent review on July 17th. Until now, if you had EVER tested positive, then PHE added you to the coronavirus losses, even if you were hit by a car. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) use what it says on your death certificate, so are much more reliable. Daily data on deaths in England will be paused until they sort it out. 

Conservation Crisis Strategy Board Game Giveaway (Age 7+) With Tunza Games.

We've just reviewed Conservation Crisis, which was sent to us by Tunza Games, and I'm pleased to say they've offered one of my readers a copy for themselves. Easy to play and suitable for 2-4 players or teams aged around 7+, there's a lot of strategy involved, so competitive adults will enjoy this as much as younger players. 

This is a clever family board game which makes you really think about some of the real problems facing communities and conservationists, all while playing a game. 

Manage your wildlife reserve and save as many animals as possible, while keeping the local community and the donors happy, and the reserve maintained. It's actually incredibly easy to play, and with a bit of luck a new young player can do just as well as a competitive adult, so it's a great one for different age groups to play together. You can find my full Conservation Crisis game review here. 

Conservation Crisis Family Board Game Review (age 7+) Sent by Tunza Games

Our latest game review has been sent to us by a smaller independent company, who are the kind of people I like to support because you can find some hidden gems. Conservation Crisis is an easy to play board game where you take the role of head of a wildlife conservation. Suitable for 2-4 players aged 7+ or teams, you have to work to save your species, and it really does make you think...

Inside the box is everything you need and it's entirely plastic-free and incredibly Earth-friendly. Main playing board, 4 x wildlife reserve boards, instruction booklet, wooden playing pieces, press out cardboard tokens. Event cards, bribe cards, community meeting cards and money. It will only take a minute to pop out the tokens before first play, after that there's no set up time needed. 

Each player (or team) chooses an animal to work to protect, and is given their first funding. Each time you go around the board, you have to spend all of your funding in order to get any more. You can pick which route you take, and that decides what you spend cash on - research, vets, livelihood schemes for ex-poachers, rangers, fences, education etc. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News weekend update 1st /2nd August 2020.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News weekend update 1st /2nd August 2020.

The UK added 744 cases today and now has reported a total of 304,695 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 162,088 tests yesterday. 1,230 people were in hospital on Thursday 30th July, with 86 using a ventilator on Friday 31st. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we lost another 8 people who have tested positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 46,201 losses of life in all settings.

England 262,746 / 41,589

Northern Ireland 5,948 / 556

Scotland 18,676 / 2.491

Wales 17,315 / 1,565

Rep. Of Ireland 26,162 (+53) cases and 1,763 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 18,136,195 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 690,806. Already 11,406,201 people have recovered.

A new case of COVID-19 is reported to the World Health Organisation on average every 3 seconds, and a higher number of cases are being reported each day. 

While a vast swathe of Europe has hopefully passed it's peak (and we are in the suppression stage, catching clusters and with the ability to test even asymptomatic people), the Americas, Africa and Asia are still on a rise towards the height of their epidemic. On Saturday Mexico overtook the UK as the country which has lost the third largest number of people, behind Brazil and the USA. This is far from over. 

There are some reports that the UK 's shielded category could be expanded to include a large amount of over 50's in future. Not because you're old,  but because you have a higher risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID. 

Naturally this doesn't come directly from government, it was "leaked" to press. Which is getting boring now. There must be a running tap to a couple of news outlets because they announce something new every Sunday, days before we get any official word. It may be to test public reaction, but it's highly unprofessional and implies our government can't keep anything secret.