Covid-19 Daily Bulletin

02 Jul

2 July 2021

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

Key Announcements:

  • The number of people who tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday in the UK was 27,989 and 22 people died within 28 days of a positive test.
  • As of the 30 June , 44,860,978 people had received the first dose of a vaccine in the UK and 33,048,199 people had received a second dose of a vaccine.
  • Ministers are planning to remove all mandatory mask and social distancing restrictions in England on 19 July, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson expresses optimism that double Covid jabs will be a “liberator” for foreign travel.
  • More than 20 countries including France, Italy and Austria could be added to the UK “green list” for foreign travel this month. However, reports suggest that millions of Britons could miss out because some AstraZeneca jabs are not recognised by the EU.
  • The World Health Organisation has warned that Europe risks a new wave of the pandemic as Covid infections rise by ten percent in a week, following two months of declining cases.
  • Reports indicate that the Government is not monitoring how many Covid cases in England are being prevented by sending pupils home from school to self-isolate.
  • New research has found that Covid is common in pet cats and dogs whose owners have the disease. Most infected pets tend to be asymptomatic or display mild symptoms.

Devolved

  • GPs in Scotland are concerned about delivering Covid booster jabs as they are working “beyond full capacity.” Older age groups could receive a third vaccine when they see their GP for a flu jab ahead of winter.
  • Vaccination centres across most of Wales will be open for people to walk in without an appointment from Saturday.
  • The Welsh Conservatives have accused the Welsh Government of being “stuck in lockdown mode” and have called on First Minister Mark Drakeford to stop “treating the Welsh people like children” after lockdown was extended amid concerns over the Delta variant.

International

  • Lockdown has been extended to seven cities in Australia, as state officials attempt to contain a Covid outbreak amid concerns over a slowing vaccine rollout. From 14 July, Australia will accept just over 3,000 international arrivals per week.
  • Germans who received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been told to take Pfizer or Moderna for their second dose, owing to the “better protection” it can provide.

Stakeholders

  • Members of the European Parliament have said that allowing 60,000 fans into Wembley and other Euro 2020 venues is “irresponsible” and “a recipe for disaster,” as the WHO calls on host cities to deliver better Covid monitoring of Euro 2020 fans.
  • Blood Cancer UK has warned blood cancer patients that they may not be protected by Covid vaccines, after research by the charity found that four in five patients had not been told by the NHS that weakened immune systems can lessen the effectiveness of vaccines.
  • University leaders in Wales have indicated that online teaching will remain in the longer term, suggesting that students have benefitted from a “blended approach.”