The coronavirus situation in the U.K. is far more pervasive now than in March when the country first locked down.
When U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the countrys first lockdown on Mar. 23, 2020, there were 967 new cases. Even in the two months that followed, the highest daily new case reading was 6,201. When Johnson again addressed the nation on a new lockdown, on Jan. 4, 2021, there were 58,784 cases.
It is fair to note that the situation isnt 10 times worse hospitalizations are up about 10% from the worst levels of April, and deaths are slightly lower, reflecting the younger mix of new coronavirus patients as well as better treatment. But experts are warning that the peak in hospitalizations is still to come, with the National Health Service examining how to discharge patients into hotels to free up beds.
But faced with at least as bad a situation as March, Brits are out and about.
That is clearly seen in the mobility data. In the days after the Mar. 23 lockdown, mobile phone traffic around workplaces fell as much as 70%, according to Google. In the days after the Jan. 4 lockdown, mobile phone activity around workplaces is down about 50% from normal levels.
Car use, down to as low as 23% of normal levels after the March lockdown, was 56% of normal levels on Monday, according to the U.K. Department for Transport. On the London Underground, activity was 16% of normal levels, which doesnt sound like much except when compared with the roughly 5% usage after the March lockdown.
Andrew Goodwin, chief U.K. economist at Oxford Economics, said current rules are in many cases weaker now than they used to be. The housing market, for example, is now able to operate pretty much as normal, while it was closed last year.
In addition, firms have become much more adaptable, said Goodwin. Last March, many firms across sectors such as manufacturing and construction closed down, partly because the government messaging around what was and wasnt permitted was not very clear and they adopted a cautious approach. But this time around they have been able to demonstrate they comply with the governments COVID-safe rules and, because their workers cannot work from home, many have remained open.
The U.K. governments definition of key worker has changed, which is significant because those workers are allowed to put their children into schools. Some schools have up to 50% of their classrooms filled, according to U.K. press reports.
David Owen, European economist at Jefferies, echoed that view that the change in mobility is a function of different rules rather than weak adherence to them. There seems to be pretty much adherence to the rules, he said. Where I live in southwest London, theres not that many people around. People seem to be much more concerned about being close to other people.
There is hope on the horizon, as the U.K. is so far leading all but a handful of countries in vaccinations. Im sure for a lot of people, what they dont want to do over the next few weeks [while waiting to get vaccinated] is actually catch the thing, Owen said.
This increased activity should mean the U.K. economy will be stronger than it was in April 2020. Deutsche Bank is forecasting a 1.4% downturn in U.K. gross domestic product in the first quarter, which isnt nearly as steep as the 19.8% nosedive in the second quarter of 2020, though that is off a base that is about 7% lower than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 7,500 COVID-19 deaths in the state have been confirmed since March, with dozens more added each day in recent weeks.
NEW ORLEANS The governors top health advisor said coronavirus cases are spiking in the Louisiana, driven by informal gatherings in peoples homes over the holidays.
Things are as bad now as they ever have been, Dr. Joe Kanter said. We do anticipate that theyre going to get worse.
Louisiana is averaging more than 2,800 new confirmed infections each day over the last week.
More than 7,500 COVID-19 deaths in the state have been confirmed since March, with dozens more added each day in recent weeks.
All of our 64 parishes are in the highest category of community transmission risk according to the CDC, Kanter said. Percent positivity for the state is well above 10 percent. Hospitalizations are above both of our previous spikes.
Dr. Nicholas Van Sickels is the chief medical officer at Crescent Care Health Center in New Orleans.
He says his clinic has seen an alarming increase in patients coming in to be tested for COVID.
"We dont see any signs of it slowing down, Van Sickels said. We see consistently high numbers in Orleans Parish and Jefferson Parish and transmission rates and everything thats going on right now, not plateauing, only going up.
Tulane infectious disease doctor David Mushatt said COVID fatigue is also playing a role in this latest surge.
He is urging people to continue to follow all CDC mitigation measures.
Just a little bit longer, Dr. Mushatt said. Keep it up. Wear your mask. Keep your distance, avoid gatherings. If enough of us do that, we can save lives.
Doctors say with the NFL playoffs upon us and Carnival season just around the corner, folks need to be thinking now about how to safely enjoy those events.
Dont do anything that is optional, Van Sickels said. What I would consider optional would be even dining out or taking a trip, postpone that for now. Weve got to crush the curve again.
We think the next couple of weeks are going to be challenging, Kanter said.
Governor John Bel Edwards just renewed state Coronavirus rules that have been in place since November.
They include a statewide mask mandate, limits on crowd sizes and other restrictions for businesses, bars and restaurants.
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With three new deaths in January, the total number of Larimer County residents who have died from the coronavirus hit 176 on Wednesday.
The Larimer County Department of Health and Environments overall case tally reached 16,155 on Wednesday, up 138 from Monday, while the total number of outbreaks was at 279 since March.
The county is reporting 19 deaths in January, all dated Jan. 1-10. The newly listed deaths on Wednesday were an 84-year-old Fort Collins man, who died Jan. 7; a 62-year-old Berthoud man, who died Jan. 6; and a 104-year-old Fort Collins woman, who died Jan. 5.
Out of the 176 total deaths, 86 were among residents at long-term-care facilities in the county.
The 138 cases added to the countys cumulative total on Wednesday included 132 confirmed and six probable. The new reports were dated Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. The oldest is an 89-year-old Loveland woman, and the youngest is a 4-year-old Loveland boy.
Of the countys list of 279 outbreaks, 86 are active, and the rest are considered resolved.
An outbreak is two or more cases tied to a single location. An outbreak location must have zero new reports for 28 days to be considered resolved.
The active outbreaks include ones at 18 long-term-care facilities, with 329 residents confirmed to have the virus, 42 who have died, and 340 employees who have tested positive.
Residents and employees of long-term-care facilities are included in the first round of vaccinations, which are underway and which health officials said should be completed within two weeks.
Health care providers have been vaccinating front-line health workers and long-term-care residents, so far administering about 16,000 doses across Larimer County, of which just over 12,000 were the first dose and the rest the second one.
Some of the largest outbreaks still considered active are at skilled nursing centers and schools. Others include: Walmart Distribution Center in Loveland, 92 employees; Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Fort Collins, 25 employees; Larimer County Jail, 17 inmates and 18 staff members; Harvest Farm rehabilitation center in Wellington, 42 residents and nine employees; Blue Spruce temporary shelter in Fort Collins, 55 clients and eight staff members.
Every case tied to Colorado State University, whether or not they are connected and including last semester, is listed under one outbreak, with 1,563 cases, and the Cameron Peak Fire, though fully controlled, is still listed as an active outbreak with 78 cases.
Other newly listed outbreaks include:
Overall, the countys risk rating remains high, with a two-week positivity rating of 6.8% and an overall prevalence of 368 cases per 100,000 residents. Both statistics were down from Tuesdays levels.
Larimer Countys hospitals, as of Wednesday, were treating 49 patients for the virus, down from 54 on Tuesday, and were reporting 76% of beds in use across all conditions, including 83% of the intensive care unit beds.
Information is updated daily at larimer.org/coronavirus.
The COVID-19 outbreak at Sullivan Countys assisted living home in Unity has remained isolated to one unit, and Administrator Ted Purdy is encouraged by his staffs response.
The whole facility has kicked in to enhanced precautions, Purdy said.
This week, the facility is reporting 11 residents and nine staffers have tested positive. The outbreak is contained to the Stearns 3 living unit, Purdy said.
Im encouraged weve been able to keep it to one unit at this point, Purdy said.
Since the outbreak started on Dec. 29, all staff members and residents are being tested weekly. This weeks test results are expected at the end of the week. Purdy said its not known how the virus entered the building.
With the community spread, its really difficult to know where it came in, Purdy said.
Jake Leon, director of communications for the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, said New Hampshire is experiencing outbreaks in long-term care facilities similar to what happened in the spring. Thats being driven by community spread.
Rising rates of community transmission throughout the state have created an environment where COVID-19 is able to get in the front door of a facility and expose residents who are otherwise not out in the community, Leon said.
Purdy said no residents have been hospitalized for the illness since this outbreak started, and the symptoms have been manageable. Most of the staffers who have tested positive have exhibited mild to no symptoms, he said.
Leon said the state is helping out in Sullivan County with testing resources. The home can only do so much, and he encourages people in Sullivan County to work to cut down on possible community spread.
The best way to protect our seniors is to follow the steps that reduce the spread of the virus, including wearing a mask, social distancing, frequent hand washing, staying home when experiencing even one symptom, and getting tested if you are concerned you may have been exposed. he said.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., is calling for members of Congress who refuse to wear face masks to be fined and removed from the floor of their chamber. Graeme Jennings/Pool/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., is calling for members of Congress who refuse to wear face masks to be fined and removed from the floor of their chamber.
Updated at 11:45 a.m. ET
At least three Democratic members of Congress have tested positive for the coronavirus this week, blaming their results on their Republican colleagues' refusal to wear face masks during the hours-long lockdown last Wednesday as pro-Trump extremists attacked the U.S. Capitol.
"Only hours after Trump incited a deadly assault on our Capitol, many Republicans still refused to take the bare minimum COVID-19 precaution and simply wear a damn mask in a crowded room during a pandemic creating a superspreader event ON TOP of a domestic terrorist attack," Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said on Twitter.
On Tuesday, Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., announced he has tested positive for the coronavirus after sheltering in place with other lawmakers who refused to wear masks.
"I am at least the third Member from that room paying the price," Schneider said, noting positive coronavirus tests from Jayapal and Rep. Bonnie Coleman, D-N.J.
Schneider shared a video of the scene, saying, "Several Republican lawmakers in the room adamantly refused to wear a mask, as demonstrated in video from Punchbowl News, even when politely asked by their colleagues."
Crowded conditions during the prolonged security lockdown recently prompted Dr. Brian Monahan, the attending physician to Congress, to urge members and staff to get coronavirus tests, citing a high chance of transmission.
Monahan also said that at least one lawmaker who was in a holding area was already positive before the chaotic events forced hundreds of people to gather together.
Jayapal was the second member of Congress to announce a positive test after the lockdown, along with Coleman. With Schneider, they join the ranks of more than 50 lawmakers and 220 workers in Congress who have either tested positive, or are presumed to have been infected with the coronavirus.
Jayapal, Coleman and Schneider are self-isolating. Coleman, who had taken the first of the required two doses of the coronavirus vaccine, says she is "experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms." Schneider said he has not had any symptoms.
Jayapal is pushing for people in Congress to show greater care in following safety guidelines and for anyone who ignores mask requirements to be punished including senators and representatives.
"Any Member who refuses to wear a mask should be fully held accountable for endangering our lives because of their selfish idiocy," she said via Twitter. "I'm calling for every single Member who refuses to wear a mask in the Capitol to be fined and removed from the floor by the Sergeant at Arms."
Schneider echoed that sentiment.
"Wearing a mask is not a political statement, it is public health guidance, common courtesy, and simply what should be expected of all decent people," he said.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) - Susan Pinza, Director of the Levan Institute for Lifelong Learning, joined 17 News at Sunrise to share more about classes available for community members.
Classes offered through the Levan Institute are meant to help people stay active, mentally and physically. Courses include piano lessons, yoga, photography and more.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced that people 65 years of age and older are the next priority group for COVID-19 vaccination, and the County is planning to make the vaccine available to them as soon as possible.
The region is currently vaccinating the 620,000 health care professionals and other priority groups in Phase 1A. Vaccinations to the more than 600,000 people in Phase 1B will begin to be available later this month, provided there are COVID-19 vaccination doses available.
However, some San Diegans in this age group might be able to get vaccinated if their health care providers have doses available. The County has asked local providers to give priority to people 65 and older with underlying medical conditions.
It would be ideal if we could vaccinate everyone who wants to be immunized at the moment, but unfortunately we dont have enough COVID-19 vaccine to do so, said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. We understand people are anxious to get vaccinated and they will get to do it when more vaccine arrives in the region.
When County sites begin vaccinating San Diegans 65 years and older, the public will be informed in a number of ways, including on coronavirus-sd.com.
The region is expecting the arrival of more COVID-19 vaccine doses, but a figure and a date have not been released by the California Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Starting in February, the County will begin to open three more vaccination super stations in other parts of the region.
To date, about 242,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been shipped to the region an amount that does not include doses shipped to vaccinate people in long-term care facilities, multi-county entities and military and veterans hospitals.
Through Jan. 12, a total of 92,305 COVID-19 doses have been administered to San Diegans; 79,607 to people who have received their first dose and 12,698 to people who have received both doses of the vaccine. The totals only include vaccine doses that have been recorded in the San Diego Immunization Registry and it is likely the number of those vaccinated is higher. The California Department of Public Health has asked vaccine providers to enter vaccinations administered into the registry within 24 hours.
The number of COVID-19 cases reported in the region has surpassed more than 200,000 infections.
An additional 3,261 were reported Jan. 12 and the regions total is now 201,580.
Furthermore, an additional 54 COVID-19 deaths were reported in San Diego County for a total of 1,952, one of the highest daily totals recorded since the pandemic began.
The high number of cases and deaths we are seeing shows that the virus is everywhere, Wooten said. People should be taking every precaution necessary, including getting vaccinated if theyre in a priority group that is currently being immunized.
Wooten continues to urge San Diegans to do the following:
For more information about COVID-19, testing locations and vaccine distribution, visitwww.coronavirus-sd.com.
The more detailed data summaries found on theCountys coronavirus-sd.com websiteare updated around 5 p.m. daily.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) The retailer known for its 10 for $10 grocery deals is lending a helping hand to get Michiganders vaccinated against COVID-19.
Meijer and its 120 pharmacies throughout the state will become involved in the rollout process beginning Jan. 18 in Wayne County.
The announcement came during Gov. Gretchen Whitmers press conference Wednesday afternoon, one day after the federal Operation Warp Speed gave the green light for pharmacies to get involved in vaccinating the public.
Even though appointments are not yet available in West Michigan, those interested in receiving their dose can register by texting COVID to 75049 or visiting the registration page online.
Be aware that high interest may mean the website works slowly or sees glitches. If you cant get through right away, you should be patient and check back later.
Once you get to the registration, you will have to answer three questions that allow Meijer pharmacies to properly determine which vaccine phase the patient is in.
The company says as COVID-19 vaccines are available, customers will be contacted with a date for their shot.They will also be able to decline the date offered while staying in the registration group for a future date, or opt out of the process if they change their mind or have already received the vaccine.
Its not yet clear when doses will be available in West Michigan, but the company is encouraging people to register ahead of time to reserve a spot.
