Tuesday, the 14th of April, 2020
Today's press conference was held by Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, along with Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director for England in the NHS, and Professor Yvonne Doyle, medical director and director of health protection for public health England. There is a lot of talk today on financial and economic sequelae of the Covid virus. The OBR (Office for Budget Responsibility) reports that the economy could contract by as much as 35% by June, before bouncing back. The lockdown, followed by partial restrictions, would have an economic decline of roughly 35%. Mr Sunak had three points to make. 1) There will be serious implications on economy, and all will be affected. 2) The government's planned economic response is to protect the people and businesses, and help them to recover, but also that they would not be able to save all businesses. 3) The single most important thing we can do for the economy is to protect our healthy people, and to stay at home; continue to socially distance. Some positive economic news is that some European shops and businesses will be re-opening, and Denmark will be re-opening schools shortly.
Another point that received a lot of attention today, was the number of outbreaks in care homes. There are more than 2,000 care homes with outbreaks (the number of 92 I reported yesterday was actually the number of NEW care homes reporting an outbreak). There is upset that deaths occurring in care home settings are not being reported, and the chief medical officer would like more testing to be done in care homes. The ONS (Office of National Statistics) is saying 21% of deaths being registered mention Covid in the death certificate. It is estimated that 10% of total deaths are happening outside of hospitals. Therefore, the number of deaths being reported each day, is not an accurate one. It only reflects the number of deaths as a result of Covid in the hospital. The positive news is that the rate of hospital admissions is stabilizing.
In the UK, 382,650 tests for the coronavirus have been completed, with 14,982 performed yesterday. 302,599 people have been tested, with 98,873 testing positive, an increase of 5,252. Hospital deaths from Covid in the UK are now at 12,107, an increase of 778 in the last 24 hours. England and Wales are reporting a new weekly high of deaths since the start of April. Total hospital deaths from Covid in England are now at 11,005, an increase of 744 in the last 24 hours. The number of hospital deaths from Covid in Cheshire is now 180, an increase of 13. 59 of those deaths have occurred at the Countess of Chester Hospital, with 4 in the last 24 hours.
On a more personal level, we continue to socially distance, not going out, not meeting up with people. Weston had a trumpet lesson per Zoom today, Nolan and Jaymeson continue to play games with friends. I am trying to have Weston and Nolan revise for exams that will be coming after Easter break concludes, with mixed results. It depends what day it is. Nolan did an all-nighter last evening, and Weston would like to do one, as well. I am just trying to have the kids do reading, some writing, and their music endeavors, as well as schoolwork. Will continue to try tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment