Covid-19 Daily Bulletin

30 Apr

30 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 2,445 and 22 people dies having tested positive within 28 days.
  • As of the 28th April, a total of 34,094,048 people had received the first dose of a vaccine in the UK and 14,043,961 people had received a second dose of vaccine.
  • The government has announced that the UK will host a global summit with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to raise funds for vaccine research and development. The summit will take place in 2022.
  • Chief Executive of NHS England Sir Simon Stevens is set to step down from the position this Summer and will be made a peer.
  • Guido has reported that the government had conducted secret Covid passports at a hospital in Kettering and Heathrow Airport. DHSC say “Use of the NHS App is being considered as part of the digital route, and Kettering General Hospital tested this potential technology.”
  • The Telegraph is reporting that hugging is expected to be allowed by 21 June, as it is hoped that all over-50s would have been offered two jabs by this time. The Telegraph has also reported that social distancing for large events could be scrapped from 21 June after initial results found no spikes in covid cases from attendees.
  • It has been reported that Health Secretary Matt Hancock has been ordered by a court to release more information about how PPE contracts were awarded during the pandemic. This comes as the Good Law Project have pursued a case in court.
  • The I is reporting that people in their 30’s could be called to get their first dose of vaccine in mid-May as everyone aged 40 or above is now eligible for a jab.

Devolved

  • Northern Ireland Economy Minister Diane Dodds has announced that every adult in Northern Ireland would be eligible for a £100 voucher to spend on the high street, in order to encourage people to spend in retail and hospitality outlets.

International

In India, 386,452 more people have tested positive for coronavirus, the biggest one-day increase of any country in the world.

Stakeholders

  • The Institute for Government have called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to establish a public inquiry into the government’s handling of coronavirus this May. The IFG say that “establishing the inquiry next month will give it time to determine its terms of reference and complete preparatory work – such as appointing a secretary and counsel and drafting its procedures – before beginning its investigations when parliament returns from summer recess on 6 September.”