Covid 19

[SteveH]

I caught a bit of the news last night, a UK firm, waiting to hear from the government re a large scrubs order, said it would probably end up in the US ?

PPE makers in UK frustrated by Westminster red tape.

Manufacturers of protective equipment opt to bypass official channels and sell direct


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   https://www.ft.com/content/7b1b43ec-f73a-4f6e-8311-350da70f2538

   Dozens of frustrated UK companies that responded to the government’s request to switch production towards personal protective equipment have abandoned efforts to deal with Westminster and are selling kit directly to British healthcare institutions and overseas.

From cosmetics bottle makers to waste bag manufacturers, businesses have repurposed factories and bought new equipment to help the National Health Service battle coronavirus. But, despite health chiefs and care homes across the country reporting huge PPE shortages, many in the industry said they felt ignored by central government and described the procurement process as shambolic.

Their actions come as Downing Street became further embroiled in a spat with Brussels about why the UK did not take part in an EU-wide PPE procurement scheme.

On Tuesday, health secretary Matt Hancock said the government was working with 159 potential British manufacturers to increase PPE production. But during Wednesday’s prime minister’s questions, Labour leader Keir Starmer brandished a list of 36 companies that he said had offered PPE to the government and been ignored.

cont   https://www.ft.com/content/7b1b43ec-f73a-4f6e-8311-350da70f2538

[Ian]

It's becoming increasingly obvious that the government is making a shambles of the whole thing.

[SteveH]

Coronavirus testing of all Welsh key workers to start next week as path out of lockdown mapped out
First Minister lays out government's Covid-19 exit strategy and the seven questions that must be answered before restrictions are eased
he framework has seven key questions to help determine when the time is right to relax some of the stay-at home regulations.
They are:
Would easing a restriction have a negative effect on containing the virus?

Does a particular measure pose a low risk of further infection?

How can it be monitored and enforced?

Can it be reversed quickly if it creates unintended consequences?

Does it have a positive economic benefit?

Does it have a positive impact on people’s wellbeing?

Does it have a positive impact on equality?

The Chief Medical Officer for Wales’ office has also developed a Wales-wide programme of surveillance, case identification, and contract tracing.

cont   https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/pathway-lead-wales-out-coronavirus-18142299

[SteveH]

Minute's silence for key workerstomorrow.
The nation is expected to fall silent in tribute to key workers who have died in the coronavirus pandemic.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who battled the illness himself, including a spell in intensive care, will be among those observing the minute's silence on Tuesday at 11am.
 

[SteveH]

Covid-19 test centre opening this week at coach park in North Wales town
UK facilities management company Mitie says the centre in Llandudno will shortly be operational

The Llandudno site will be at the coach park on Builder Street. They said it would open later this week but didn't have an exact date.

Mitie, headquartered in London, is supporting each site by providing critical clinical waste management and security services, such as traffic management and lane support.

The firm says it will help ensure that the centres meet their testing targets which are essential for identifying people with Covid-19 and therefore limiting the spread of the infection.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/covid-19-test-centre-opening-18156668

[Ian]

From New Scientist:

"Wuhan, where the coronavirus pandemic began, has discharged the outbreak’s last covid-19 patient. The whole of China reported fewer than 12 new coronavirus cases on Saturday. Social distancing restrictions are still in place, but are being gradually reduced, with almost 50,000 high school students returning to class in Beijing today.

Since the outbreak began, China has reported more than 83,000 cases and more than 4,600 deaths, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University. "

[SteveH]

From New Scientist:
"Wuhan, where the coronavirus pandemic began, has discharged the outbreak’s last covid-19 patient. The whole of China reported fewer than 12 new coronavirus cases on Saturday. Social distancing restrictions are still in place, but are being gradually reduced, with almost 50,000 high school students returning to class in Beijing today.
Since the outbreak began, China has reported more than 83,000 cases and more than 4,600 deaths, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University. "

     I am not convinced, I do not trust China's figures, and dread to think what the truth is.

[Hugo]

From New Scientist:
"Wuhan, where the coronavirus pandemic began, has discharged the outbreak’s last covid-19 patient. The whole of China reported fewer than 12 new coronavirus cases on Saturday. Social distancing restrictions are still in place, but are being gradually reduced, with almost 50,000 high school students returning to class in Beijing today.
Since the outbreak began, China has reported more than 83,000 cases and more than 4,600 deaths, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University. "

     I am not convinced, I do not trust China's figures, and dread to think what the truth is.

Funny thing is that when reporters or those on social media report anything that goes against the Party line they seem to go missing   

[Ian]

From New Scientist:
"Wuhan, where the coronavirus pandemic began, has discharged the outbreak’s last covid-19 patient. The whole of China reported fewer than 12 new coronavirus cases on Saturday. Social distancing restrictions are still in place, but are being gradually reduced, with almost 50,000 high school students returning to class in Beijing today.
Since the outbreak began, China has reported more than 83,000 cases and more than 4,600 deaths, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University. "

     I am not convinced, I do not trust China's figures, and dread to think what the truth is.

Funny thing is that when reporters or those on social media report anything that goes against the Party line they seem to go missing   

[Ian]

From an epidemiological standpoint, we would expect China's cases to start decreasing faster than elsewhere. And in the past, it's worth remembering that major pandemics have simply fizzled out. Otherwise the black death would still be sweeping the globe.

[SteveH]

Minute's silence for key workerstomorrow.
The nation is expected to fall silent in tribute to key workers who have died in the coronavirus pandemic.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who battled the illness himself, including a spell in intensive care, will be among those observing the minute's silence on Tuesday at 11am.

‘Sombre, grateful’ nation to hold silent tribute to key workers who have died at 11am this morning.

[Meleri]

North Wales Coronavirus Testing Centre will be opening a drive through centre on Wednesday 29th April at Builder Street Coach Park. They will start with testing critical workers.

[SteveH]

North Wales Coronavirus Testing Centre will be opening a drive through centre on Wednesday 29th April at Builder Street Coach Park. They will start with testing critical workers.

Some more details.......
A drive-through coronavirus testing centre in North Wales is ready to open, it has been announced.

Vaughan Gething, the Welsh Government's minister for health and social services, confirmed during today's Welsh Government briefing that the site in Llandudno will open on Wednesday, April 29.

The testing centre, located on the Builder Street coach park, will begin by testing critical workers.

Only critical workers displaying symptoms of the virus will be referred for testing, said Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which includes NHS staff, police, fire and ambulance services, and care home workers.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/opening-date-north-wales-drive-18163283

[Hugo]

The Royal Mail will no longer be delivering mail on Saturdays until further notice

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/royal-mail-not-delivering-letters-18165371

[SteveH]

"Why UK has been worse affected than Germany
Coronavirus national testing co-ordinator Professor John Newton said the UK has been worse affected by the virus than Germany because of “the way it arrived in England”.
Speaking on LBC, Prof Newton compared Berlin with London, saying London is “so connected to the rest of the world”.
“This is a very unpredictable virus... it arrives slightly differently,” he said.
“The coronavirus really took hold in England because of the way it arrived. In Germany the virus has spread differently.” "

The above is from today's DP, I have been sitting on a piece about travelers arriving in the UK, being allowed to enter without checks, advice on isolation etc. I hesitated, because of the source, but reading it with an open mind, still raises questions..........sorry Ian


No tests, no checks... and no sense: Hundreds of passengers arrive at Heathrow from virus hotspots – and they're not even stopped for Covid-19 screening

Even the blue face mask covering the Iranian-British businessman’s face couldn’t conceal his consternation as he emerged into the arrivals hall at Heathrow Airport.

Before boarding his Iran Air flight from Tehran, Farzad Parhizkar’s temperature – and those of the other 80 or so passengers – was checked by a laser-beam thermometer, he told me.

They had also been obliged to fill in a form giving such details as their name and address, destination, reason for travel, and whether they had any symptoms of coronavirus.

‘Then, when I arrive here in London, there is nothing at all,’ he said, his eyebrows raising above the mask.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8238583/Hundreds-arrive-Heathrow-virus-hotspots-theyre-not-stopped-Covid-19-screening.html?ito=social-facebook&fbclid=IwAR2kGwdw7YfEzUimND0oDXRNg2SHFNINIbwsJPAvNjepXH12YOTnLT5CpfE