Covid-19 Daily Bulletin

09 Apr

9 April 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 the virus yesterday in the UK was 3,030. Sadly, 53 people died having tested positive within 28 days.
  • As of 7th April, the number of people who have received their first dose of a vaccine was 31,807,124 and the figure for the second dose was 6,091,905.
  • Twice-weekly lateral flow tests are now available for free in England.
  • The government has given more detail on the resumption of international travel, including a traffic light system to categorise countries based on risk, but haven’t yet confirmed whether overseas travel will resume on 17 May.
  • Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has reiterated his plan to drive down the cost of coronavirus PCR tests for travellers under the travel proposals, telling BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that he wants the tests to be “as cheap and convenient as possible”.
  • Scientists say that real-time modelling indicates the UK is set to reach a ‘herd immunity milestone’ within days.
  • Islamic scholars and NHS leaders say Muslims can still get the vaccine during Ramadan.

Devolved

  • Wales is relaxing its restrictions earlier than anticipated due to a drop in the number of Covid cases, which will see indoor household mixing and the reopening of gyms.
  • Scotland’s virus death toll has now passed 10,000 with new figures also showing that two-thirds of Covid patients in the country are under-65 , prompting calls for younger people to take up the vaccine.
  • From today, the Covid vaccine in Northern Ireland has been extended to those aged 40-44, the NI Department of Health announced.

International

  • The rate of Covid infections in Canada is edging close to – and may overtake – US levels for the first time, as the country struggles to contain new variants and ramp up its distribution of vaccines.
  • Tokyo has asked for permission to use emergency measures to combat a surge in a rapidly spreading and more contagious coronavirus variant, three months before the Olympic Games.
  • Australia’s vaccine rollout is to be further delayed after local regulators advised limiting use of the AstraZeneca shot – the country’s main vaccine.
  • Brazil has recorded more than 4,000 Covid-related deaths in 24 hours for the first time, as a more contagious variant fuels a surge in cases.
  • North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has urged citizens to prepare for a “difficult” crisis, following human rights groups’ warnings that the country faces dire food shortages and economic instability.

Stakeholders

  • The UK’s leading sports bodies are backing the use of ‘vaccine passports’ and Covid testing as a “credible” means of allowing full capacities at venues, in a joint letter to leaders of the major political parties.
  • Travel industry leaders, including EasyJet and Heathrow Airport, have expressed concerns over the government’s proposed international travel plans, mainly around the costs of testing, which is estimated to cost around £120 per person.
  • The Royal College of Psychiatrists has highlighted the sharp rise in mental ill health, that began after the first lockdown in March 2020, in an analysis of NHS and Office for National Statistics data. The college said NHS services were struggling to cope with the demand.