Covid-19 Daily Bulletin

12 Jan

12 January 2021

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

Key Announcements:

  • Cressida Dick, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has written in the Times today stating that Covid rule breakers are increasingly likely to face fines. In the article, Dick has also noted how police officers will be joining London Ambulance teams in support of their work, at a time where hospitals and paramedics have been overwhelmed by numbers of Covid patients.
  • Whilst there have been warning that coronavirus restrictions could be tightened if people failed to fully adhere to the rules, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has assured that support and child c a re bubbles will remain no matter the eventuality for adults living alone, and for single parents living with children under 18.
  • It has been confirmed that all inbound passengers to England will need to take a Covid test up to 72 hours before travel, otherwise they will face an immediate £500 fine. The new rules will apply in England from 4am on Friday. This will apply to inbound passengers on boats, planes and trains and apply to all UK nationals.
  • Politico’s London Playbook has reported there might be a press conference later today during which the Home Secretary will address the nation on the enforcement of coronavirus restrictions.

Devolved

  • In Northern Ireland , following the reported worst 48 hours since the pandemic began, the Health Minister is expected to update the executive of pressures in hospitals. Belfast Health Trust has cancelled urgent cancer surgeries and now more health trusts have said they might be forced to cancel further cancer operations.
  • Universities in Wales have delayed returns to face-to face learning, as a response to the new coronavirus variant.
  • An audit of patients in Wales has found that about half of people treated in intensive care units were discharged, whilst the other half of patients sadly died from Covid.
  • In Scotland , everyone over 80 should be given their first dose of a Covid vaccine by February, Jeane Freeman has said. Care home staff, residents, and front-line health and social care staff should also be vaccinated within the next few weeks.

International

  • A state of emergency has been declared in Malaysia in response to an increase in coronavirus cases. Critics of the Prime Minister have said this move could be a means to cling to power, especially with the long duration of the state of emergency – set to last until 1 August.
  • A state of emergency has also been declared in Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo in Japan due to a surge of Covid cases.
  • Four vaccine providers have had contracts signed in Palestine, as part of the Government’s efforts to vaccinate 70 percent of the population in two months. These providers include Russia’s Sputnik V.
  • Land borders in South Africa are to be closed to travellers until 15 February, President Ramaphosa has announced. This comes also at a point when Minister Jackson Mthembu has been tested positive for the virus, making him the fourth member of the executive to be confirmed with coronavirus.

Stakeholders

  • The Royal Mail has published a list of 28 areas which are receiving limited delivery services as a result of workforce shortages, where staff have been either sick or needed to self-isolate.
  • To help reduce coronavirus transmissions, supermarket chain Morrisons has said it will ban shoppers who refuse wear a mask unless they are medically exempt to do so. Sainsbury’s has also said that trained security guards will be posted at shop entrances to challenge customers who are either not wearing a mask, or who are shopping in groups.
  • The Transport and Travel Union ( TTSA ) has written to British transport minister asking them to ensure that essential transport workers are “next in line” for coronavirus vaccinations.
  • The GMB has said that 60 percent of NHS staff are considering leaving the service due to extensive workloads. They are asking that the Government “move heaven and health to supported demoralised health staff”.
  • The LGA has they are pleased that local councils will be receiving supplied of rapid coronavirus testing.