Covid-19 Daily Bulletin

A series of daily updates for CHO members regarding relevant updates pertaining to Coronavirus from home and abroad.

Key Announcements  

• As of yesterday, of 327,608 people tested for covid-19 in the UK, 103,093 had tested positive and 13,729 have died
• The rate of infection is now below 1. Under guidance from SAGE, current social distancing measures would remain in place for at least three more weeks.
• Dominic Raab announced five criterion the UK would need to meet before there was a consideration of relaxation:
• The Government are able to provide sufficient critical care and specialist treatment
• There is a sustained and consistent decrease in coronavirus related death rates
• Reliable data from SAGE would demonstrate that the infection rate was decreasing to below a manageable rate
• There is confidence that operational challenges, including PPE is in hand for future demand, could be met
• There is confidence that adjustment measures would not result in s second wave that would overwhelm the NHS.
• In what has perhaps been the nation’s most optimistic and heart-felt news story, Captain Tom Moore’s fundraiser has now raised over £16m for the NHS. A petition has been signed some 453,000 times to have him knighted.
• The fashion world and British brands such as Burberry and Barbour have been called on by NHS bosses to help them with PPE supplies.
• Following the death of 21 transport workers in London, it has been announced that passengers will be banned from boarding busses by the front of doors and will be given free travel.
• The Government will give £10m worth of cash grants to England’s fishing industry to help if during the crisis.
• The House of Commons has  published details  about how it will function next week, in a hybrid, virtual format. Up to 120 MPS would be able to partake in proceedings virtually, whilst 50 could remain in the chamber.

International   

• The Chinese economy reportedly shrank by 6.8 percent in the first three month of this year, meaning it has faced its first contraction since 1992.
• The number of deaths reported from Wuhan, China, has been revised an up by some 50 percent.
• In America, President Donald Trump has outlined three phases by which state governors could start reopening businesses by May 1st or earlier. “You’re going to be calling your own shots,” he reportedly told Governors, but would still get help from central US administration.
• The German Health Minister, Hens Spahn has announced that a contact-tracing app will be ready for use on smartphones, in three to four weeks.
• Macaron has said without the bloc embracing financial solidarity, the EU will unravel.
• The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea has been tested as positive for the virus.
• It has been announced that 25,000 prisoners will be released in Myanmar during the nation-wide lock down.
• In some intergalactic news, a space crew comprised of one Russian and two American passengers has returned to Earth after being away since September and July 2019, and before the coronavirus pandemic began.

Stakeholders     

• Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has said he is lobbying the Government to change advice regarding the public wearing face coverings. He has personally urged Londoners to wear non-surgical masks when going outside.
• Labour leader, Keir Starmer, has backed Government plans for the extension of lockdown, but continues to insist that the Government publish plans for when measures are eased.
• In response to the G20’s announcement that debt would be suspended for the poorest countries, the head of Oxfam International’s office in Washington DC is only “one part of the puzzle,” and that other measures such as the IMF selling some of its gold reserves, should be considered to help the most in need.
• The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, has said it is “deeply irresponsible” of Downing Street to not extend the transition period of Brexit, amidst the coronavirus pandemic.  The Chief of the IMF has said it would be “wise” to extend Trade negotiations.

Unconfirmed reports   

• The Sun  has reported that some Ministers are trying to push that primary schools open first following the lock-down. This is whilst Education Secretary Gavin Williamson  is apparently  privately insisting  that  Parliament as well as other  high profile  institutions must  instead take the first step.  Ministers are apparently  having discussions regarding the use of protective equipment in the workplace and on public transport, for example factory workers, as a way of easing the country back to normality after social distancing measures are relaxed.