UK, Scotland & Ireland - Coronavirus COVID-19

[margarita25]

 

[margarita25]

(Via @dixiegirl1035)

Statement from the UK Chief Medical Officers on the prioritisation of first doses of COVID-19 vaccines

 

[margarita25]

(Via @SouthAussie)

expert reaction to the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine being approved for use in the UK by the MHRA | Science Media Centre

 

[margarita25]

 

[margarita25]

 

[HongKongPhooey]

National lockdown imminent I reckon. Watch this space...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Faced with mounting cases, England announces new lockdown (nbcnews.com)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said trips outside will be allowed for only essential shopping, exercise, Covid-19 testing, medical help, escaping domestic abuse and work for those who can't work from home.

LONDON — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday announced a new national lockdown in England, including the most stringent level of restrictions since the start of the pandemic, to slow down the spiral in new cases of Covid-19 on the same day the U.K. started the rollout of AstraZeneca's vaccine.

The measures are similar to the lockdown imposed last March, and include asking the public to stay at home and only leave for limited reasons. Trips outside will be allowed for only essential shopping, exercise, Covid-19 testing, medical help, escaping domestic abuse and work for those who can't work from home.

Primary and secondary schools will also have to switch to remote learning starting Tuesday...

 

[Legally Bland]

New rules for England.

 

[LadyL]

COVID-19: Nicola Sturgeon announces lockdown in Scotland from midnight

A lockdown for most of Scotland will be introduced from midnight tonight, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

The first minister told the Scottish Parliament there will be a legal requirement for people to stay at home for the rest of January in Level 4 areas, which covers mainland Scotland and Skye.

Schools will also remain closed to most pupils until the start of February at the earliest.

 

[LadyL]

Further restrictions not ruled out, says Varadkar as hospitals under 'extreme pressure'

Ireland

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said the “explosion of cases” is “very alarming” and that it will not be feasible to end restrictions if Ireland still has a 5-day average of 800 cases per day at end of January.

“If patients continue to be admitted at the rate they’re currently being admitted then we will run into difficulties later on in January,” he said.

Speaking on RTÉ This Week he said it’s not possible to rule out additional restrictions, but that more time is needed to give current restrictions time to work.

He said there is a strong case for leaving current restrictions in place until those most at risk are vaccinated, “even if that means going well into February”.

 

[margarita25]

““The weeks ahead will be the hardest yet, but I really do believe that we are entering the last phase of the struggle,” Johnson told the nation Monday night. “Because with every jab that goes into our arms, we are tilting the odds against COVID and in favor of the British people.”“

It’s lockdown No. 3 for England, at least six weeks at home

 

[dalsglen]

(Lighthearted) I reckon our council are taking an awful extreme approach to this lockdown, they've not gritted the pavements the last two days, so folk are literally stuck at home

 

[margarita25]

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Just noticed the thread title has changed - did Scotland gain independence since I last checked?!

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

Just noticed the thread title has changed - did Scotland gain independence since I last checked?!

Nope, you're still stuck with us!

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Nope, you're still stuck with us!

Pleased about that!
(mainly )

Do we need to have England, Wales and NI also added to the title? Y’know, in the interests of geographical accuracy!

 

[Skigh]

Just noticed the thread title has changed - did Scotland gain independence since I last checked?!

Perhaps Nicola is a member.

 

[LadyL]

Police in England say they won't enforce masks in supermarkets

 

[Legally Bland]

Military helicopters could be used within days to airlift coronavirus patients from the Isle of Wight, the island’s medical director has said, after an “astronomical” rise in infections fuelled by mixing and visitors over Christmas.

A 74-fold increase in cases means the Isle of Wight has the 13th highest infection rate in the UK this week, from having one of the lowest in early December.

The county of 141,606 people recorded 1,871 new cases in the first 10 days of January – 43% of its total since the pandemic began. Hospital admissions and deaths are rising sharply.

Army helicopters may be sent to evacuate Covid patients from Isle of Wight

 

[HongKongPhooey]

Military helicopters could be used within days to airlift coronavirus patients from the Isle of Wight, the island’s medical director has said, after an “astronomical” rise in infections fuelled by mixing and visitors over Christmas.

A 74-fold increase in cases means the Isle of Wight has the 13th highest infection rate in the UK this week, from having one of the lowest in early December.

The county of 141,606 people recorded 1,871 new cases in the first 10 days of January – 43% of its total since the pandemic began. Hospital admissions and deaths are rising sharply.

Army helicopters may be sent to evacuate Covid patients from Isle of Wight

What a shame. Their numbers were relatively low beforw this. Mixing and visitors!!!!