15 new deaths and 38,409 new infections were reported today on the UK government dashboard – lower data because of the usual weekend lag. The pandemic continues...


First published in February 2022.











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  • 15 deaths due to coronavirus have been reported in the last 24 hours.
  • 38,409 new coronavirus infections reported in 24 hours and the actual number UK-wide is potentially significantly higher, always worth checking out the data provide by the ONS and by the King’s College team in the accompanying tables.
  • The total number of coronavirus infections reported across the UK in the last 7 days was 309,260, while in the last 28 days 1,873,975 infections have been reported.
  • 1,005 deaths due to coronavirus have been reported in the last 7 days.
  • The number of deaths in the past week equates on average to around 144 deaths each of the past 7 days. If this was to be the “new normal” for daily deaths caused by Covid-19, then annually this would equate to around 52,404 deaths across the UK.
  • Meanwhile, a total of 5,793 deaths due to Covid-19 have been reported across the UK in the last 28 days.
  • 1,294 Covid-19 hospital admissions occurred on 15 February 2022.
  • 11,223 patients suffering from Covid-19 are currently occupying hospital beds - reported as of 18 February 2022.
  • 335 Covid-19 patients are occupying mechanical ventilation beds – according to the data reported on 18 February 2022.
  • All three of these healthcare measures a continuing concern for our seriously under-pressure NHS.

SO FAR:

  • 753 days since the first infection due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus was reported in Britain (31 January 2020).
  • 717 days since the first reported death (6 March 2020). Coronavirus has now been responsible for infecting around 18.6 million people in the UK (according to the official reported positive cases data).
  • In this time, the virus has been responsible for at least 160,610 deaths (within 28 days of a first positive test result). Official data also currently indicate there have been 181,424 deaths in total, where the deceased person’s death certificate mentioned COVID-19 as one of the causes, registered up to Friday 4 February 2022, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).




Notes: UK data (including the data noted above) will not necessarily fully reflect the numbers in specific measures, e.g., where there are data issues, delays due to IT issues, or issues with reporting arrangements for the four nations. It is important therefore to note the specific reporting cycles of UK Covid-19 data when looking at how data are presented. Seven-day rolling averages are often used to help ‘smooth’ the various reporting cycles across different nations; nevertheless, care is needed when seeking to gain an accurate picture of the situation at any time. The deaths’ data used in the charts below relate to deaths ‘attributed to COVID-19 – each following a reported positive test result for COVID-19 within 28 days of their death’.

Further detail can be found at the UK Health Security Agency link below.


(Source: UK Health Security Agency)





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ENGLAND


Now:

  • If you’re fully vaccinated you will no longer need to take a COVID-19 test either before or after arrival in the UK. You still need to complete a passenger locator form.
  • If you are not fully vaccinated you will need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day 2 after you arrive in the UK. You will not need to quarantine unless the result of the PCR test is positive. You still need to complete a passenger locator form.
  • You no longer are required to wear a face covering, including in communal areas of schools, but the government suggests you continue to wear one in crowded and indoor spaces where you may come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
  • You no longer need to show your NHS COVID Pass at venues and events by law.
  • Staff and pupils in secondary schools and colleges are no longer required to wear a face-covering in classrooms.
  • You are no longer asked to work from home if you can. Talk to your employer to agree on arrangements to return to your workplace.

WALES


From 18 February:

  • You will no longer be legally required to show your NHS COVID Pass at venues and events.

Now:

  • If you’re fully vaccinated you will no longer need to take a COVID-19 test either before or after arrival in the UK. You still need to complete a passenger locator form.
  • If you are not fully vaccinated you will need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day 2 after you arrive in the UK. You will not need to quarantine unless the result of the PCR test is positive. You still need to complete a passenger locator form.
  • There are no limits on how many people can meet indoors at pubs, restaurants, cinemas and theatres. Nightclubs reopen.
  • Sporting events can have crowds, with no limits on how many people can attend outdoor events.
  • If you get a positive rapid lateral flow test result, most people will not need to take a PCR test to confirm the result. You must self-isolate immediately if you get a positive rapid lateral flow test result.

SCOTLAND


Now:

  • If you’re fully vaccinated you will no longer need to take a COVID-19 test either before or after arrival in Scotland. You still need to complete a passenger locator form.
  • If you are not fully vaccinated you will need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day 2 after you arrive in Scotland. You will not need to quarantine unless the result of the PCR test is positive. You still need to complete a passenger locator form.
  • There are no longer any limits on how many households can meet indoors or outdoors. There is no need for physical distancing between groups at indoor and outdoor venues including bars, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and gyms. Table service is not needed.
  • Most people don't need to have had a booster dose to be recognised as fully vaccinated under the COVID certification scheme.
  • If you are a close contact of someone with COVID–19 and you are fully vaccinated along with your booster dose, you can take daily rapid lateral flow tests for 7 days instead of self-isolating. If you test positive or develop symptoms during this time you should self-isolate for 10 days.
  • If you test positive for COVID-19 you should self-isolate for 10 days. You can end self-isolation early if you do not have a high temperature and get 2 negative lateral flow test results on days 6 and 7, taken at least 24 hours apart.
  • If you do not have symptoms and get a positive rapid lateral flow test result, you must self-isolate. You do not need to take a PCR test to confirm your result. Find out more on gov.scot

NORTHERN IRELAND


From 15 February:

  • You’re no longer legally required to wear face coverings in public places and there is no limit on the number of people who can meet indoors in private homes. You’re no longer legally required to show your COVID-19 certificate at nightclubs and large indoor events.

Now:

  • If you’re fully vaccinated you will no longer need to take a COVID-19 test either before or after arrival in the UK. You still need to complete a passenger locator form.
  • If you are not fully vaccinated you will need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day 2 after you arrive in the UK. You will not need to quarantine unless the result of the PCR test is positive. You still need to complete a passenger locator form.
  • Nightclubs reopen. You will still need to show your NI domestic certificate.
  • Up to 30 people can meet in a private home. Organisers of large indoor gatherings at places like pubs, restaurants, cinemas and theatres need to carry out a risk assessment.
  • If you get a positive rapid lateral flow test result, you should isolate immediately. You no longer need to book a PCR test.



UK Government’s latest self-isolation guidance

When to end self-isolation if you have had COVID-19 symptoms, have received a positive COVID-19 test result, or if you are a contact.

UKHSA Guidance | PMP

(Source: Gov.uk)





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“Show us the science, Mr Johnson. Explain the real reasons for: removing public health protections, not following the science, not listening to scientists, not being concerned about those who are vulnerable; using data in a very partial way. There is division!” – Dr Joe Pajak. #ShowUsTheScience

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■ 🧬 COG-UK sequencing

The Omicron variant’s sub-lineage BA.2 and second-generation sub-lineage BA.1.1 are spreading so fast in the UK that they now represent together more sequenced cases than the original Omicron variant.



(Source: COG-UK)


■ 🧬 UKHSA genomically confirmed case numbers



(Source: UK Health Security Agency)





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📈 UK COVID-19 data


(Source: UK Health Security Agency)


■ 🧮 Case & Death Totals
🦠 18,654,572 positive cases so far to date (recorded) – Since the first case was reported at the end of January 2020
🕯️ 160,610 deaths so far – Number recorded within 28 days of first positive test result - since the first reported death on 6 March 2020.
🕯️ 181,424 total deaths – Total number of people whose death certificate mentioned Covid-19 as one of the causes – Registered up to Friday 4 February 2022





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💉 Vaccination UK







(Source: UK Health Security Agency + Public Health Wales
+ Public Health Scotland + HSC NI + ONS)


Note: Data cross-referenced with the latest official data from the UK dashboard.





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🧩 Long COVID UK

⏳
LONG COVID UK ESTIMATE (ONS – 3 Feb 2022)
🚨 1.33 million people currently live with long COVID in the UK
🚨 2.1% of the UK population currently live with long COVID
🚨 Long COVID symptoms adversely affect the day-to-day activities of 836,000 people (63% of long COVID sufferers)
🚨 Most common symptoms: Fatigue (50%), shortness of breath (37%), loss of smell (37%) and loss of taste (28%)

(Source: ONS)





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■ Total Cases & Total Deaths



■ Estimated ®️ Number

(Sources: UK Health Security Agency + Welsh Government
+ Scottish Government + N-I Ministry of Health)


■ Population Testing Positive for COVID-19

(Source: ONS)


■ Number of contact tracing alerts sent (England & Wales)

(Source: NHS)


■ Stringency Index

(Source: University of Oxford)


PMP Magazine


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📚 Data Sources:


PMP Xtra

Total UK population: 67,081,234 (last year: 66,796,800), via ONS (subject to changes in population over the year). These figures were updated on 25 June 2021.
(Source ▪ ONS)






📈 Full Daily UK #COVID19 Charts & Comments via #TodayInCovid: www.pmp-magazine.com/tag/today-in-covid/

🦠 Everything #COVID19: www.pmp-magazine.com/covid19/

🗃️ Sources: @CovidGenomicsUK | @UKHSA | @ONS

🧮 Special thanks: @JoePajak & #NHS



— AUTHORS —

▫ Dr Joe Pajak, PhD in physical chemistry: exploring the data, governor of an NHS FT hospital.
▫ J.N. PAQUET, Author & Journalist, Editor of PMP Magazine.
GET THEM INVOLVED:


Sources
  • Text: This piece was first published in PMP Magazine on 21 February 2022. | The authors write in a personal capacity.
  • Data cross-referenced with the latest official data from the UK dashboard.
  • Cover: Adobe Stock/SergeyBitos.
  • Icons from www.flaticon.com
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