Covid-19 Daily Bulletin

15 Mar

15 March 2021

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

Key Announcements:

  • A total of 4,619 new cases of coronavirus were recorded in the UK yesterday and 52 people died within 28 days of testing positive for the virus.
  • UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency says that the evidence “does not suggest” that the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab causes blood clots.
  • The Netherlands has temporarily halted its AstraZeneca vaccine programme until the 29 March. It joins Norway, Denmark and Ireland.
  • Japan is considering limiting spectators at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics to half of venue capacity because of coronavirus risks.
  • People with underlying conditions including cancer, diabetes and heart disease have been encouraged to come forward for a Covid-19 vaccine by leading UK health charities.
  • Four more cases of the Variant of Concern VOC-202101/02, also known as P.1, have been identified in England – 3 in South Gloucestershire and one in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

Devolved

  • Hairdressers and barbers in Wales are allowed to reopen for appointments only from today, as lockdown restrictions are eased.
  • Northern Ireland will still use the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, despite the Republic of Ireland halting its programme.
  • More pupils are returning to school in Scotland in the latest phase of lockdown easing. Children in primaries four to seven are due to join their younger classmates.

International

  • Francesco Zambon, the WHO scientist who spoke out about Italy’s handling of Covid has resigned.
  • Singapore and Australia are discussing an air travel bubble with each other to eliminate the need for quarantine.
  • Italy will be placed under a nationwide lockdown for the Easter weekend, as the government battles to stem a fresh surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalisations.

Stakeholders

  • Prof Sir Ian Diamond, head of the UK’s ONS, said he has “no doubt” that there will be a further wave of coronavirus infections in the autumn.