Covid-19 Daily Bulletin

18 May 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 1,979 with 5 people losing their lives.
• As of the 16th May , 36,704,672 people had received the first dose of a vaccine in the UK and 20,287,403 people had received a second dose of vaccine.
• Health Secretary Matt Hancock delivered a statement to the House of Commons yesterday on coronavirus. He told the chamber that there were 2,323 confirmed cases of variant B1617.2, which was first identified in India. This strain was now the dominant strain in Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen. He added that “in Bolton, 19 people are now in hospital with coronavirus, the majority of whom are eligible for a vaccine but have not yet had one. That shows that the new variant is not tending to penetrate into older vaccinated groups, and underlines again the importance of getting the jab.”
• The government have published a Covid-19 passenger charter in order to provide an accessible source of information for those travelling internationally this summer. The charter also guides passengers about what to do if their travel plans change.
• The Times are reporting that Ministers are considering a contingency plan of local lockdowns or a delay to the roadmap beyond June 21st in response to the Indian variant of coronavirus.
• Research has shown that more than 90 per cent of people develop antibodies to coronavirus after having 1 jab of the vaccine from AstraZeneca or Pfizer. Almost 100 per cent do so after their second jab.

Devolved

• All mainland council areas in Scotland (apart from Glasgow and Moray) have moved from level 3 restrictions to level 2 restrictions. This easing of restrictions allows people to attend venues like cinemas and theatres which can open with restrictions. Hugs between loved ones is now permitted but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged people to be cautious.
• Wales Health Minister Baroness Eluned Morgan has said that the Welsh government would keep an open mind and not rule out targeted vaccinations in communities where there are spikes in the Indian variant of coronavirus.

International

• US presidents Joe Biden has announced that his administration shall share more coronavirus vaccines with other countries. This is in addition to the 60m doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine which he had already committed to sharing by 4th

Stakeholders

• The Labour Party have called for door-to-door vaccinations in parts of the country where take up is low and cases are rising. The spokesperson for the Prime Minister has said no part of the country should be going against the advice of Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which is to give two doses to priority groups one to nine in the first instance.