The UK recorded 30,004 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, with 610 further deaths in the latest 24-hour period, according to official figures. Government data up to 23 January shows that over six million Covid-19 vaccine jabs have been administered in the UK so far, including 6,353,321 first doses and 469,660 second doses. In order to meet the government’s target of 15 million first doses by 15 February, an average of 393,031 first doses would be needed each day. It comes as the deputy chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), Professor Anthony Harnden, said that delaying a second dose of the vaccine may give stronger protection in the long term. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...-news-live-latest-updates-today-b1791853.html
It’s not all bad news Lee Rigby killer fighting for life with coronavirus Michael Adebowale is serving a life sentence for murdering Fusilier Rigby in May 2013 By Neil ShawNetwork Content Editor 07:18, 25 JAN 2021 One of Lee Rigby’s killers is reportedly fighting for life after catching coronavirus. Michael Adebowale is serving a life sentence for murdering Fusilier Rigby in May 2013 on the streets of Woolwich, south-east London.
Worrying news about the South African variant in New Zealand - their first Covid case in months. Apparently the visitor who brought it in had 14; days quarantine and 2 negative tests before being diagnosed. They've immediately closed the air corridor with Australia.
So it begins Mother, 40, admits killing 10-year-old autistic son - but denies murder 1hr ago A mother has admitted killing her disabled child after suffering a mental breakdown while struggling to care for him weeks after care was removed during the first lockdown. Olga Freeman, 40, put a sponge into 10-year-old Dylan's mouth and laid him down to die next to his toys in the master bedroom of her flat in Acton, west London. Dylan suffered from Cohen Syndrome, a genetic disorder characterised by developmental delay, including disability, small head size, weak muscles, and visibility impairment. The court heard Freeman, who is the ex-wife of celebrity photographer Dean Freeman, had struggled to care for Dylan, who was also autistic, in the six months before his death. Dylan had been attending a special school five days a week, but during the first lockdown last year he was not able to attend school, with the burden of care falling on his mother, the court was told. Freeman appeared at the Old Bailey via video-link today from a psychiatric unit and spoke to admit manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. Her defence lawyer Jane Bickerstaff QC said she had been 'suffering from a depressive illness with psychotic symptoms'. Prosecutor Gareth Patterson QC said the plea was acceptable to the Crown after careful consideration.
Men in low-skilled, caring or service jobs more than three times as likely to die from Covid as professionals, ONS figures show The Office for National Statistics has just published a report on Covid deaths in 2020 by occupation. And its key conclusion, illustrated by this table, is that, among the working age population, men who were working in low-skilled jobs, in the care sector or in other service jobs were most at risk. They were more than three times as likely from Covid as professionals, the ONS says.
It's very, very sad. Unfortunately, we'll only hear about the minority of cases, and it will extend well into the future. There are also significant numbers suffering due to delays in treatments, or through fear of going to hospitals for the initial diagnosis, as well as the potential for an increase in mental health issues, including suicides, which will be exacerbated by employment and economic issues. It's why the situation regarding lockdowns needs to be viewed holistically, as focusing solely on the virus is quite liable to kill more than it saves in the longer term.
Worldwide, billionaires’ wealth increased by a staggering $3.9tn between 18 March and 31 December 2020. Their total wealth now stands at $11.95tn, which is equivalent to what G20 governments have spent in response to the pandemic. The world’s 10 richest billionaires have collectively seen their wealth increase by $540bn over this period. It said such sums could also help prevent anyone on Earth from falling into poverty because of the virus. The 10 richest men were listed as Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Bernard Arnault and family, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison, Warren Buffett, Zhong Shanshan, Larry Page and Mukesh Ambani. Oxfam said: Over 2 million people have died, and hundreds of millions of people are being forced into poverty while many of the richest – individuals and corporations – are thriving. Billionaire fortunes returned to their pre-pandemic highs in just nine months, while recovery for the world’s poorest people could take over a decade. The crisis has exposed our collective frailty and the inability of our deeply unequal economy to work for all. Yet it has also shown us the vital importance of government action to protect our health and livelihoods. Transformative policies that seemed unthinkable before the crisis have suddenly been shown to be possible. There can be no return to where we were before. Instead, citizens and governments must act on the urgency to create a more equal and sustainable world.
They keep saying schools were last to close (even though they’re not actually closed) so will be the first to reopen. Media saying they’re not expecting schools back until after Easter for some pupils (likely exam year groups for next year) and all back by May.