Wednesday, the 8th of April, 2020

Wednesday, the 8th of April, 2020 evening

Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of  the UK, continues to be in the ICU, at St Thomas Hospital in London, in stable condition.  At today's 5pm press briefing, it was said that he was sitting up in his bed, and responding to treatment.  Other news from today regarding the Corona Virus, include a new 750 million pounds pledged to help charities, with 370 million to help small, local charities, up to 200 million pounds for hospice, CAB (Community Advice Bureau), ambulance services, and services for the disabled.  Also, the government will be matching pound for pound the National Emergency Trust fundraising appeal/Comic Relief, which will be going ahead later in the month of April.  The evening's press conference was held by Rishi Sunak (Chancellor of the ExChequer), Professor Dame Angela McClean (Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Defense, and Sir Steve Powis (National Medical Director for England in the NHS.  Various reports on the virus' spread, and aftermath were given.  It is reported that there has been a 94% decrease in footfall traffic at train stations, and that new cases were showing consistent-not accelerating out of control.  CV deaths across the UK are now greater than 7,000 (7,097), which is an increase of 938 deaths-the most deaths recorded in the UK for one day.  282,074 tests have been performed, with 60,733 testing positive.  Cheshire deaths are now at 89, with more than 700 cases of CV in Cheshire.  The Countess of Chester Hospital has reported a total of  27 deaths from Covid.  Total UK cases of CV are 60,733, which is a daily increase of 5,491.  More than 10,000 third year nursing and midwifery students are now part of the frontline staff.  There will be a COBRA meeting tomorrow (Thursday) morning to review the lockdown that remains in place.  There are slight murmurings that schools could re-open after Easter, in an effort to restart the economy.  Spain has had a total of 14,555 deaths.  France's total is now "at least 10,000", and they are implementing tougher lockdown measures.

It was my Dad's 75th birthday today (and my uncle's birthday too, as Dad is a twin).  I sent them emails.  Dad responded.  It was interesting to hear some of his anecdotes from the US, and from working at the Home Depot.  I hope he is remaining safe.  This virus is really quite sad and sobering.