UPDATED DAILY : UK CORONAVIRUS - UPDATED 29/10/22

Covid: DVLA staff in Swansea 'scared to enter the workplace' -

Staff are scared to work at the UK vehicle licensing agency's contact centre in Swansea where 500 workers have contracted coronavirus since the pandemic began, a union says.

The PCS union has urged ministers to intervene and described the numbers as a "scandal".

A DVLA spokesperson insisted safety was a priority and it followed guidance to "help keep our offices Covid secure".

The Welsh Government said it had been "worried about the DVLA for a while".

First Minister Mark Drakeford said he has repeatedly raised concerns over case numbers at the offices.

Minister Eluned Morgan said the decision to introduce tougher Covid regulations for workplaces in Wales was made, in part, due to the situation at the DVLA.

In December, a coronavirus outbreak was declared at the centre at Swansea Vale in Llansamlet after 352 cases of Covid-19 in the space of four months.

The DVLA has about 6,000 staff based in Swansea but said it was currently operating on a "far reduced capacity".

Today's coronavirus headlines -

It is "difficult to put a timeline" on when England's lockdown could be lifted, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said. While there are "early signs" measures are working, it is "not a moment to ease up", he told a Downing Street briefing

A further 592 people have died in the UK within 28 days of a positive Covid test and another 22,195 cases have been recorded, according to Monday's government figures

The government will tell teachers and parents when schools in England can reopen "as soon as we can", Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said. MPs want the government to set out a "route map" for reopening schools

Heathrow Airport has warned that requiring all international arrivals to enter quarantine hotels would have "huge ramifications" for the aviation sector. Ministers are due to discuss the idea

The Scottish government is "looking at all sorts of ways" to accelerate its Covid-19 vaccine programme, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said. There has been some criticism of the speed of the rollout in Scotland, with a greater proportion of over-80s having already received a jab in England

Moderna's Covid vaccine appears to work against new, more infectious variants of the pandemic virus found in the UK and South Africa, say scientists from the US pharmaceutical company

UPDATED: Monday 25th 2021

UK

Coronavirus Cases:
3,669,658
Deaths:
98,531
Recovered:
1,648,218

Covid: UK passes milestone of 100,000 deaths -

More than 100,000 people have died with Covid-19 in the UK, after 1,631 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were recorded in the daily figures.

It means a total of 100,162 deaths have been recorded in the UK, the first European nation to pass the landmark.

The UK is the fifth country to pass 100,000 deaths, coming after the US, Brazil, India and Mexico.

It follows a surge in cases last month, leaving the UK with one of the highest coronavirus death rates globally.

The number of cases in the UK has been falling in recent days, but the number of people in hospital remains high, as do the UK's daily death figures.

Earlier, figures from the ONS, which are based on death certificates, showed there had been nearly 104,000 deaths since the pandemic began.

Total Uk deaths 101,162

6.85mill been vaccinated

Covid deaths: 'Hard to compute sorrow' of 100,000 milestone - PM

More than 100,000 people have died with Covid-19 in the UK, after 1,631 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were recorded in the daily figures.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he took "full responsibility" for the government's actions, saying: "We truly did everything we could."

"I'm deeply sorry for every life lost," he said.

Covid: Schools in Wales opening in summer holiday 'a possibility'

Schools in Wales may reopen on a phased basis with some allowed to open during the summer holiday to allow pupils to catch up with lost learning time.

Education Minister Kirsty Williams wants to see the youngest pupils and those in exam years to return first.

Schools will be shut until at least the February half term unless the Covid case rates fall.

In relation to schools opening in August, Ms Williams said she was "willing to discuss all possibilities".

UPDATED: 27th January 2021

UK

1,725 New deaths


25,308 NEW CASES


7.16Mill Vaccinated


Well over 100,000 now died

Coronavirus: EU demands UK-made AstraZeneca vaccine doses -

The EU has urged pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca to supply it with more doses of its Covid-19 vaccine from UK plants, amid a row over shortages.

The company has infuriated the bloc by saying it can deliver only a fraction of the doses it promised for the first quarter of the year.

It blames production issues at European plants, but the EU says doses made elsewhere should make up the shortfall.

The EU has been criticised for the slow rollout of its vaccinations.

The contract between the EU and AstraZeneca contains a confidentiality clause but the EU has asked the company to release the details nevertheless.

Reports said last week that the EU would get 60% fewer doses of the vaccine than promised for January-March 2021.

The EU reiterated its position after the two sides met on Wednesday evening to try to resolve the issue.

This is typical of the EU I wouldn’t give them anything.

Asking for a share of our supply from the UK and then threatening to stop the Belgium factory sending us more.

It’s their fault 3 months dicking about before they ordered them and yet still today they haven’t even signed it off as safe, you couldn’t make it up. Hopefully the Govt will just carrying on as normal we are not in the EU anymore and gone are the days they can hold us to threats.

Even worse is they don’t even mention about helping the third world countries. I’d like to know who pays their wages and expenses now we’ve left the corrupt group!

Updated: Thursday 28th January 2021

UK

New Virus Cases 28,680

New Deaths 1,239

Covid-19: Novavax vaccine shows 89% efficacy in UK trials -

A new coronavirus vaccine has been shown to be 89.3% effective in large-scale UK trials.

The Novavax jab is the first to show it is effective against the new variant of the virus discovered in the UK, the BBC's medical editor Fergus Walsh said.

The PM welcomed the "good news" and said the UK's medicines regulator would now assess the vaccine.

The UK has secured 60 million doses of the jab, which will be made in Stockton-on-Tees.

The doses are expected to be delivered in the second half of this year, if approved for use by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the government said.
The jab was shown to be 89.3% effective at preventing Covid-19 in participants in its Phase 3 clinical trial in the UK, which enrolled more than 15,000 people between 18-84, of whom 27% were older than 65, Novavax said.

UPDATED: Friday 29th January 2021

United Kingdom

Coronavirus Cases:
3,743,734

Deaths:
103,126

Recovered:
1,673,936

7.89mill had the Vaccine

COVID-19: Wales coronavirus lockdown to be extended for another three weeks

Infection rates in Wales are falling and the pandemic is believed to be shrinking - but the national lockdown will stay for now.

Wales' first minister is to extend the country's coronavirus lockdown for another three weeks.

Mark Drakeford is also expected to confirm that primary school pupils could start returning after half-term if infection rates continue to improve.

The country entered the toughest "level 4" rules - effectively a national lockdown with a stay-at-home order - a few days before Christmas amid high case rates, but the Welsh government has said the situation is now improving.

However, officials said the lockdown needed to stay for now to "allow the NHS to recover".

"Rates of coronavirus across Wales have fallen below 200 cases per 100,000 people for the first time since early November," a statement said.

Cases have fallen from over 600 per 100k to 175 pee 100k!! A massive drop.and r rate is between 0.7 -0.9.

Cases have fallen from over 600 per 100k to 175 pee 100k!! A massive drop.and r rate is between 0.7 -0.9.

Ssshhh........don't state your Government's "facts"........it might push them into a corner!

UPDATED: Saturday 30th January 2021

United Kingdom

Coronavirus Cases:
3,796,088

Deaths:
105,571

Recovered:
1,673,936

UPDATED: Saturday 30th January 2021

United Kingdom

Coronavirus Cases:
3,796,088

Deaths:
105,571

Recovered:
1,673,936

Thanks for the update Annis....but where is this information coming from?

UPDATED: Saturday 30th January 2021

United Kingdom

Coronavirus Cases:
3,796,088

Deaths:
105,571

Recovered:
1,673,936

Thanks for the update Annis....but where is this information coming from?

It's a question I have asked too,when did they start publishing the recovery figures? How would they know if they weren't ,as I believe being recorded until recently.

Covid: EU 'made a mistake' over vaccines, Gove says -

The European Union recognised it "made a mistake" in triggering an emergency provision in the Brexit deal to control Covid vaccine exports, the Cabinet Office minister has said.

Michael Gove said he was "confident" of the UK's vaccine supply and said its programme would continue as planned.

He said the UK was "on track" to deliver 15 million jabs by 15 February.

It comes after the EU reversed a decision which could have seen checks at the Irish border amid a vaccine row.

Mr Gove said he had spoken with European Commission vice-president Maroš Šefčovič and both had agreed "we need a reset" and to put the people of Northern Ireland first.

He said Prime Minister Boris Johnson had spoken to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and it was made clear that "supply would not be interrupted so we can proceed with our plans".

Cases have fallen from over 600 per 100k to 175 pee 100k!! A massive drop.and r rate is between 0.7 -0.9.

Ssshhh........don't state your Government's "facts"........it might push them into a corner!

now we are locked down for at least another 3 weeks! To protect the NHS.
Aren't these figures close to when we locked down in march last year? Seems they are trying (impossibly ) to keep us locked away,until what? Because it will be around for a long time to come! But at least we can meet a friend in the park for a chat, and discuss our "done it myself" hair cuts

UPDATED: Sunday 31st January 2021

UK

8.98Mill People Vaccinated

New deaths 587

Total deaths 106,158

21,088 new cases

Cases have fallen from over 600 per 100k to 175 pee 100k!! A massive drop.and r rate is between 0.7 -0.9.

Ssshhh........don't state your Government's "facts"........it might push them into a corner!

now we are locked down for at least another 3 weeks! To protect the NHS.
Aren't these figures close to when we locked down in march last year? Seems they are trying (impossibly ) to keep us locked away,until what? Because it will be around for a long time to come! But at least we can meet a friend in the park for a chat, and discuss our "done it myself" hair cuts

Been cutting my own hair all along. Enjoying myself. This morning I've given myself a John Mills type from the film Hobsons Choice

Covid-19: Captain Sir Tom Moore in hospital with coronavirus -

Captain Sir Tom Moore has been admitted to hospital with coronavirus, his daughter has said.

The 100-year-old, who raised almost £33m for the NHS, was taken to Bedford Hospital after requiring help with his breathing, Hannah Ingram-Moore said on Twitter.

She said he had been treated for pneumonia over the past few weeks and last week tested positive for Covid-19.

Mrs Ingram-Moore said her father was not in intensive care.

A spokeswoman for the family said Capt Sir Tom had not yet received the Covid-19 vaccine due to the medication he was on for pneumonia.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: "You've inspired the whole nation, and I know we are all wishing you a full recovery."

UPDATED: Saturday 30th January 2021

United Kingdom

Coronavirus Cases:
3,796,088

Deaths:
105,571

Recovered:
1,673,936

Thanks for the update Annis....but where is this information coming from?

It's a question I have asked too,when did they start publishing the recovery figures? How would they know if they weren't ,as I believe being recorded until recently.

Can someone at least answer my question regards recovery figures? Not looking for argument, it's just until recently they were not being released anywhere in the government figures, when did they start releasing them?

UPDATED: Saturday 30th January 2021

United Kingdom

Coronavirus Cases:
3,796,088

Deaths:
105,571

Recovered:
1,673,936

Thanks for the update Annis....but where is this information coming from?

It's a question I have asked too,when did they start publishing the recovery figures? How would they know if they weren't ,as I believe being recorded until recently.

Can someone at least answer my question regards recovery figures? Not looking for argument, it's just until recently they were not being released anywhere in the government figures, when did they start releasing them?

You wont find them otherwise it will spoil WG doom and gloom scenario they keep playing in news briefings! Today its full of contradictions all says targets met in nursing homes and over 80s but only 70+% done rest in pipeline or been offered..... infection rate down from 600 in 100k to150 in 100k past month or so but hospitals still full so means no one is recovering that's answer to your question...

UPDATED: Saturday 30th January 2021

United Kingdom

Coronavirus Cases:
3,796,088

Deaths:
105,571

Recovered:
1,673,936

Thanks for the update Annis....but where is this information coming from?

It's a question I have asked too,when did they start publishing the recovery figures? How would they know if they weren't ,as I believe being recorded until recently.

Can someone at least answer my question regards recovery figures? Not looking for argument, it's just until recently they were not being released anywhere in the government figures, when did they start releasing them?

its been at least a month and i have no idea why they have started....
dont see the point tbh...most pple do not end up in hospital , are told to isolate for a period of time , and then ? does anyone check... surely its cases minus who has died or is in a bad way in hospital and the rest to some degree have recovered ?

UPDATED: Monday 1st February 2021

UK

319,038 New Vaccines

9,296,367 Mill Total people Vaccinated


New Cases 18,607

New Deaths 406

Total Deaths 106,564

Covid: 'Earlier lockdown in Wales could have saved more lives' -

More lives could have been saved had Wales gone into lockdown earlier at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the health minister has said, looking back with hindsight.

Vaughan Gething made the admission while talking about the pressure faced by policy makers dealing with Covid-19.

But he also said he believes decisions were correct based on the information available at the time.

There have been 4,775 deaths with Covid-19 in Wales since March 2020.

There have also been 192,912 positive cases recorded.

Wales went into its first lockdown on 23 March and the Welsh Government came under fire early on for the speed of care home testing, as well as contact tracing.

"Looking back, if we had the opportunity to do this all again, we would have made different choices on borders definitely," Mr Gething said.

We will be chasing our tails with new variants for ever until we stop all flights all over the world for 2/3 months
apart from freight no holidays no buisness meetings they can all be done without face to face meetings every country deals with there own variants
rather than flying them around the world
If we had no aeroplanes flying the disease would not have left china .