Very early in January, I started reading reports of a new pathogen, unnamed and certainly unwanted. It wasn’t long before reports by Chinese doctors started appearing at the end of the day’s news. Having always felt that man’s greatest threat was from this kind of invisible enemy (I’ve probably watched too many dystopian movies), I started a germ journal. Now looking at it afresh it makes insightful reading.
Tuesday, 31 December 2019
Going almost unnoticed, today the World Health Organisation’s China office first heard reports of a previously unknown virus which has caused a number of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, a city of 11 million people in Eastern China. It would be a potent of something that virologist Professor John Oxford has been warning, and been ignored, for many years – a global pandemic.
The WHO China Country Office was informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. Around 44 suspected cases were reported in the month of December.
Wednesday, 1 January 2020
A seafood market in Wuhan has closed for environmental sanitation and disinfection after being closely linked with the mysterious disease.
While here the media has ignored the report coming out of China and is concentrating on the vast bush fires in Australia, costing now over A$300m and blamed, predictably, on climate change.
Thursday, 2 January 2020
Even as the fires raged in Australia with the news media filming cute koala bears being given first aid after suffering burns, a second case of the highly-contagious measles virus cropped up in Sydney (which had gone ahead with the New Year’s fireworks despite the fires), went virtually unreported. The virus can survive in the air and on surfaces for a couple of hours, needless to say, the public was cautioned to get vaccinated.
Friday, 3 January 2020
Reuters have reported four more outbreaks of bird flu across Poland, bringing the total number of incidents in Europe’s largest poultry producer to six leading to the destruction of over 100,000 birds. The virus was a subtype of highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu that can pose risks to humans.
Saturday, 4 January 2020
Hong Kong has stepped up monitoring and infection controls in its hospitals as a mystery viral pneumonia outbreak spreads in mainland China. Hospital officials in Hong Kong raised their alert level to ‘serious’ as the viral pneumonia outbreak in mainland China continued to spread.
The infection first reported on 31 December in Wuhan, a central Chinese city with a population of over 11 million — has lead to online speculation about a resurgence of the flu-like SARS virus that killed hundreds of people in 2002-2003.
According to China’s public health watchdog, the number of reported cases of this new type of virus has now risen from 27 to 44, with 11 people listed in serious condition.
The outbreak sparked fears in Hong Kong when a woman who travelled to Wuhan during the Christmas holiday was admitted to hospital on Thursday for treatment of respiratory infections.
By mid-day today, Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority had reported a total of eight cases to the city’s health department. Three are being treated under isolation conditions in a public hospital, while the other five have been discharged.
Officials in the international financial hub also implemented enhanced monitoring and infection control in public hospitals and clinics.
In mainland China, authorities report that the major cluster of recent infections have centred around a wet market in Wuhan where wild animals were sold. They are still in the process of identifying the cause but have determined that common respiratory diseases such as influenza, bird flu and adenovirus infection are not to blame.
So far, Chinese officials say there has been no human-to-human transmission, but Ho Pak-Leung, director of the University of Hong Kong’s Centre for Infection, advised the city to brace for that possibility.
“Preventive measures should be as stringent as possible,” Ho told Hong Kong’s public broadcaster RTHK, urging the mainland government to provide real-time updates.
Additional thermal imaging systems were put in place on Friday at Hong Kong’s international airport to check the body temperature of travellers arriving from Wuhan.
In Singapore, the health ministry also announced Friday that all travellers arriving from Wuhan would be subject to temperature checks.
Sunday, 5 January 2020
The mystery virus which has infected 59 in China is baffling scientists as they rule out deadly SARS, which killed hundreds of people in China and Hong Kong in the early 2000s. But no cases have been recorded in the world since 2004.
Seven patients are in a critical condition with this new virus, and the World Health Organization (‘WHO’) has announced it is closely monitoring the situation.
Other possible cases have cropped up. fifteen travellers who returned to Hong Kong following visits to the city in Hubei province. One suspected case was also reported in Singapore.
The two nations have put new screening measures in place following fears travellers will spread the mystery illness.
The outbreak – which began at the start of December – has prompted the closure of a seafood market in Wuhan’s suburbs, where several patients worked.
Some 163 people who had been in contact with those infected are currently under medical observation, while efforts continue to try and identify the virus.
No obvious human-to-human transmission has been found and no medical staff had been infected, the commission previously said.
Experts from the National Health Commission is to carry out further tests, in hope of finding a cause of the cases.
Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority said Sunday that a total of 15 patients in Hong Kong were being treated for symptoms including fever and respiratory infection after recent visits to Wuhan. Tests have yet to confirm if they have the same illness.
Hospitals and doctors have been directed to report cases of fever in anyone who has travelled to Wuhan in the past 14 days. The city is home to 11million people.
The hospital authority said it activated a newly created ‘serious response’ level over the weekend to curb the spread of the infection.
The city’s health department added an additional thermal imaging system at Hong Kong’s airport to check if arriving passengers had a high temperature.
More staff have been assigned to carry out temperature checks at the West Kowloon high-speed rail station, which connects Hong Kong to mainland China.
Hong Kong’s health chief Sophia Chan warned residents against visiting wet markets – places that sell fresh meat – and eating wild game in mainland China.
The South China Seafood City food market, where many of the infected patients had worked, has been suspended until investigations are complete.
But the two latest possible cases in Hong Kong – two females, aged 12 and 41 – are not thought to have visited the market during a trip to Wuhan.
It has been reported that a link to a wholesale fish and live animal market could indicate an exposure link to animals.
But the agency added that no travel or trade restrictions are necessary at this time.
The mystery condition’s most common symptom is fever, with shortness of breath and lung infections appearing in a ‘small number’ of cases.
Wuhan police on Wednesday said they had punished eight people for ‘publishing or forwarding false information on the internet without verification’.
Monday, 6 January 2020
The Wuhan health authorities announced they continue seeking the cause but had so far ruled out influenza, avian influenza, adenovirus, and coronaviruses SARS and MERS as the respiratory pathogen that had infected 59 people.
Tuesday, 7 January 2020
Deadly brain-destroying virus lurking in European SHREWS has killed 14 people
A deadly disease spread by shrews has been killing humans for decades and going unnoticed, according to scientists.
Doctors say at least 14 patients in have died from encephalitis caused by Borna disease virus 1.
But it is feared the total could be much higher, given the shrews that carry the bug are found in Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Experts are now calling for more research into the spread of the virus, to work out if it really is behind even more unexplained human deaths.
Wednesday, 8 January 2020
The team of Chinese scientists probing the mysterious pneumonia-like illness that’s struck 59 people have identified a new, never-before-seen strain of coronavirus in some of the patients, the reported.
Both SARS and MERS – which have previously broken out in Wuhan – are coronaviruses, but the current viral was not a match for either.
A new strain was detected in a sample taken from one patient. The scientists sequenced the genome of the virus and found something wholly unique.
Some of the 59 patients with the mysterious respiratory have a strain of coronavirus scientists have never before seen.
South Korea is monitoring incoming travellers for fevers in an effort to prevent the mysterious illness from spreading from China.
Prior to the new discovery, six known coronaviruses affect humans.
But not all coronaviruses trigger such severe symptoms, so the newly-discovered one my not be driving the ongoing outbreak in China, which began in December.
Other possible cases have cropped up in 15 travellers who returned to Hong Kong and following visits to the city in Hubei province. One suspected case was also reported in Singapore.
Seven patients are in a critical condition, and the World Health Organization has announced it is closely monitoring the situation
The commission said in a statement on Sunday evening: ‘We have excluded several hypotheses, in particular the fact that it is a flu, avian flu, an adenovirus, respiratory syndrome severe acute (SARS) or Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).’
Some 163 people who had been in contact with those infected are currently under medical observation, while efforts continue to try and identify the virus.
No obvious human-to-human transmission has been found and no medical staff had been infected, the commission previously said.
Experts from the National Health Commission is to carry out further tests, in hope of finding a cause of the cases.
Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority said Sunday that a total of 15 patients in Hong Kong were being treated for symptoms including fever and respiratory infection after recent visits to Wuhan. Tests have yet to confirm if they have the same illness.
Hospitals and doctors have been directed to report cases of fever in anyone who has travelled to Wuhan in the past 14 days. The city is home to 11million people.
The hospital authority said it activated a newly created ‘serious response’ level over the weekend to curb the spread of the infection.
The city’s health department added an additional thermal imaging system at Hong Kong’s airport to check if arriving passengers had a high temperature.
More staff have been assigned to carry out temperature checks at the West Kowloon high-speed rail station, which connects Hong Kong to mainland China.
Hong Kong’s health chief Sophia Chan warned residents against visiting wet markets – places that sell fresh meat – and eating wild game in mainland China.
Thursday, 9 January 2020
Officials at Wuhan Municipal Health Commission reported the outbreak’s first death on January 9, a 61-year-old man.
Friday, 10 January 2020
Britons travelling to China for the Chinese New Year have been warned by Public Health England to wash their hands regularly to avoid catching this mysterious illness.
At least 59 people have now developed pneumonia because of the virus, which officials revealed is one that has never been seen before.
Seven of the patients were in critical condition, the World Health Organisation said Sunday, and a seafood market at the centre of the outbreak has been closed.
The novel coronavirus genome sequence was made publicly available by China.
Saturday, 11 January 2020
Health authorities in the central Chinese city of Wuhan reported the first death from a new type of coronavirus.
The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission reported on Saturday that seven other people were in critical condition.
It said a total of 41 were suffering from pneumonia caused by a “preliminarily determined new type of coronavirus” as of Friday, down from the earlier figure of 59.
It said those were in stable condition and at least two had been released from a hospital.
Another 739 people who were in close contact with the patients, including 419 medical workers, have been placed under medical observation but no related cases have been found.
Sunday, 12 January 2020
China virus outbreak linked to seafood market not currently spreading -WHO
An outbreak of pneumonia that has killed one person in China and infected 40 others appears to be linked to a single seafood market in the central city of Wuhan and has not so far spread beyond there, the World Health Organization said on Sunday.
The cluster of infections had raised fears of a potential epidemic after China said last week that the virus causing it was a previously unknown type but came from the same family of viruses that caused the SARS and MERS epidemics.
However, the WHO said the outbreak had not spread. The seafood market in Wuhan – a major domestic and international transport hub – is now closed and no cases have been reported elsewhere in China or internationally, it said.
“The evidence is highly suggestive that the outbreak is associated with exposures in one seafood market in Wuhan,” the WHO statement said, adding that the market was closed on January 1. “At this stage, there is no infection among healthcare workers, and no clear evidence of human to human transmission.”
The WHO said last week that a newly emerging member of the ‘coronavirus’ family of viruses that caused the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreaks was the likely cause of the outbreak.
Coronaviruses can cause infections ranging from the common cold to SARS. Some types cause less serious disease, while others can be far more severe.
Among 41 people confirmed as infected with the new viral pneumonia, one – a 61-year-old man with serious underlying medical conditions – died last week. Seven others are in critical condition, the Wuhan health authorities said on Saturday.
The WHO said preliminary epidemiological investigations had found most cases were in people who either worked at or were frequent visitors to Wuhan’s Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market.
Monday, 13 January 2020
A Chinese woman in Thailand has become the first confirmed case of the mystery virus outside of China. The 61-year-old was quarantined on 8 January, but has since returned home in a stable condition after having treatment, the Thai Health Ministry reported.
Tuesday, 14 January 2020
The World Health Organisation is working with Thai officials after a woman who travelled from China hospitalised with a new strain of coronavirus
Health authorities in China reported the country’s first death from the new type of coronavirus at the weekend.
Health authorities have confirmed that a woman travelling from China to Thailand has been infected with a new strain of the coronavirus, marking the first time the mystery illness has been detected outside China.
Altogether, 41 people have now been infected by the disease which has symptoms including fever, breathing difficulties and pneumonia.
The first fatality was recorded on Saturday when a 61-year-old man died from the illness. Seven patients have been discharged and six remain in critical condition, according to the Wuhan municipal health commission.
Most of the cases were of workers, handlers or frequent visitors to one food market in Wuhan city, but authorities have not yet pinpointed the origin of the disease, raising fears of more cases. They indicated that most – but not all – of the cases were vendors, operators or visitors to the Huanan (seafood) market.
The most worrying situation from a public health perspective would be if the disease could be passed between people. Preliminary investigations have found “no clear evidence of human to human transmission.
There have also not been any infections reported among healthcare workers, who would be among the most vulnerable if the virus can jump directly between people.
Chinese authorities are monitoring 763 people who had close contacts with people who fell ill. So far no related cases have been found.
However, the mode of transmission has not yet been determined and human to human transmission is always a concern when patients have respiratory symptoms. This requires further investigation.
The World Health Organisation told hospitals around the globe to prepare, in the ‘possible’ event of the infection spreading.
It said there is some ‘limited’ human-to-human transmission of the virus. Two days previously, the UN agency said there was no clear evidence of human to human transmission.
Wednesday, 15 January 2020
The first known travel-related case of coronavirus entered the United States: The patient from Washington with confirmed 2019-nCoV infection returned to the United States from Wuhan. The patient sought care at a medical facility in the state of Washington, where the patient was treated for the illness. Based on the patient’s travel history and symptoms, healthcare professionals suspected this new coronavirus.
Thursday, 16 January 2020
A second patient dies of mystery virus in China amid growing fears the lethal outbreak may spread around the world following a confirmed case in Japan. The 69-year-old man died in the early hours of January 15 in Wuhan. He was admitted to hospital on December 31 with symptoms of the virus. His health deteriorated on January 4 before he died, local media claims.
Japan today confirmed its first case of infection from the new coronavirus.
A total of 41 patients in Wuhan have been struck with pneumonia caused by the virus since December. The first death, on January 9, was a man aged 61.
The news comes on the same day Japan confirmed its first case of infection – a man in his 30s from Tokyo who had recently visited Wuhan.
It was the second time the virus has been detected outside China after a 61-year-old woman was quarantined and treated in Thailand. She had also visited Wuhan.
Since two cases have been identified outside the country, the World Health Organization has warned hospitals worldwide to prepare for a potential global spread.
Friday, 17 January 2020
A second death was reported in Wuhan, health authorities in the US announced that three airports would start screening passengers arriving from the city.
Authorities in the United States, Nepal, France, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan confirmed cases over the following days.
Saturday, 18 January 2020
The Wuhan City government held an annual banquet in the Baibuting community celebrating the Chinese New Year with 40,000 families in attendance despite the officials’ knowledge of the spread of the novel coronavirus. They shared meals, plates and ate together.
Sunday, 19 January 2020
The first confirmed cases were reported in China, outside Wuhan, one in the southern province of Guangdong and two in Beijing. Wuhan reported 136 additional laboratory-confirmed cases, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases in China to 201. A new death was also reported in Wuhan, bringing the total number of fatalities in China to three.
Monday, 20 January 2020
China reported a third death and more than 200 infections, with cases also reported outside Hubei province including in the capital Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
Meanwhile, a Chinese expert on infectious diseases confirmed human-to-human transmission to state broadcaster CCTV, raising fears of a major outbreak as millions travelled for the Lunar New Year holiday.
Asian countries ramped up measures to block the spread of the virus, introducing mandatory screenings at airports of all arrivals from high-risk areas of China.
Tuesday, 21 January 2020
A total of 291 cases have now been reported across major cities in China, including Beijing and Shanghai. However, most patients are in Wuhan, the central city of 11 million at the heart of the outbreak.
A report by the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College London suggested there could be more than 1,700 infections.
Wednesday, 22 January 2020
The death toll in China jumped to 17 with more than 550 infections. Many European airports stepped up checks on flights from Wuhan.
Thursday, 23 January 2020
Wuhan was placed under effective quarantine as air and rail departures were suspended.
The same measures were announced for two more cities in Hubei province: Xiantao and Chibi.
Beijing cancelled events for the Lunar New Year, starting on January 25, while officials reported the first death outside Hubei.
Friday, 24 January 2020
The death toll in China stands at 26, with the government reporting more than 830 infections.
The number of cities under lockdown in Hubei rose to 13, affecting 41 million people.
Shanghai Disneyland shut down and other cities announced the closure of entertainment venues. Beijing said a section of the Great Wall and other famous landmarks would also be closed.
Saturday, 25 January 2020
Travel restrictions were imposed on a further five cities in Hubei, taking the overall number of people affected to 56 million.
Hong Kong meanwhile declared a virus emergency, cancelled Lunar New Year celebrations and restricted links to mainland China.
Sunday, 26 January 2020
The death toll rises to 56, with almost 2,000 cases confirmed as travel restrictions were increased and Hong Kong closed its Disneyland and Ocean Park theme parks.
New cases were confirmed in the US, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan and South Korea.
Monday, 27 January 2020
The death toll in China rose to 106, with 100 in Hubei province, authorities reported. Another 4,515 people in China were reported to be infected. There were 2,714 confirmed cases in Hubei province, up from 1,423 the day before.
Tuesday, 28 January 2020
China’s Supreme People’s Court ruled that whistleblower, Li Wenliang, had not committed the crime of spreading “rumours” when on 30 December 2019 he posted to a WeChat forum for medical school alumni that seven patients under his care appeared to have contracted SARS.
Li Wenliang was a Chinese ophthalmologist who worked as a physician at Wuhan Central Hospital later contracted the virus from an infected patient and died from the disease on 7 February age 33.
Wednesday, 29 January 2020
Air Canada is halting all direct flights to China following the federal government’s advisory to avoid non-essential travel to the mainland due to the coronavirus epidemic.
Tibet reported its first suspected case identified on the previous day and declared a level 1 health emergency in the evening, the last mainland provincial division to do so.
Thursday, 30 January 2020
The WHO declared coronavirus a global emergency as the death toll in China jumped to 170, with 7,711 cases reported in the country, where the virus had spread to all 31 provinces.
India and the Philippines confirmed their first cases of the virus, with one infected patient in each country.
Friday, 31 January 2020
The number of confirmed cases in China jumped to 9,809. Russia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom confirmed their first cases of the virus.
Saturday, 1 February 2020
The death toll in China rises to 259, with 11,791 confirmed infections in the country, according to new figures released by the Chinese health authorities.
New cases were confirmed in Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Singapore, the US, the UAE and Vietnam.
Sunday, 2 February 2020
The first death outside China, of a Chinese man from Wuhan, was reported in the Philippines.
The death toll in China rose to 304, with 14,380 infections reported.
Monday, 3 February 2020
China reports 57 new deaths, bringing its death toll to at least 361. The number of cases rose to 17,205 across the country.
Tuesday, 4 February 2020
China said the death toll rose to 425 people and the number of infected people stood at 20,438 in the mainland. Hong Kong also reported one death, bringing global deaths to 427. The first case was confirmed in Belgium in a person who was repatriated from Wuhan.
Wednesday, 5 February 2020
More flights evacuating US citizens return from Wuhan and the WHO reaffirmed there was “no known effective treatment” for the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, China reported 490 deaths and 24,324 cases of infection.
Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in Japan with more than 3,600 passengers. On 20 February a passenger becomes the first Briton to die. Many more would contact the pathogen as it infected the ship.
Thursday, 6 February 2020
The death toll in mainland China rises to at least 563, with more than 28,000 cases confirmed.
Meanwhile, authorities in Malaysia reported the country’s first known human-to-human transmission and the number of people infected in Europe reached 30.
Friday, 7 February 2020
Li Wenliang, a doctor who was among the first to sound the alarm over the coronavirus, died, and Hong Kong introduced prison sentences for anyone breaching quarantine rules.
Mainland China confirmed the death toll had reached at least 636, with 31,161 cases of infection and Chinese researchers suggested the pangolin may have been one link in the chain of animal-human infections.
Saturday, 8 February 2020
A US citizen died in Wuhan.
A Japanese man in his 60s with a suspected coronavirus infection also died in hospital in Wuhan, Japan’s foreign ministry said.
The death toll in China reached 722, with 34,546 confirmed infections.
Sunday, 9 February 2020
The death toll in China surpasses that of the 2002-03 SARS epidemic, with 811 deaths recorded and 37,198 infections.
An investigative team led by experts from the WHO departed for China.
Monday, 10 February 2020
97 new deaths were reported following the deadliest day of the outbreak. China had 908 confirmed deaths and a total of 40,171 infections –
President Xi Jinping appeared in public for the first time since the epidemic began, visiting a hospital in Beijing and urging confidence in the battle against the virus.
Tuesday, 11 February 2020
WHO announced that the new coronavirus would be called “COVID-19”.
Meanwhile, deaths in China reached 1,016, with 42,638 infections recorded.
Wednesday, 12 February 2020
175 people became infected on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship, docked at Yokohama.
The death toll in mainland China hit 1,113, with 44,653 infections recorded.
Thursday, 13 February 2020
North Korea imposed a month-long quarantine on all foreign visitors and others suspected to have COVID-19, the official Korean Central News Agency said.
The death toll in mainland China hit 1,300, with nearly 60,000 infections recorded. Meanwhile, Japan confirmed its first death from the virus.
Friday, 14 February 2020
Egypt became the first country in Africa to report a case and France reported Europe’s first death from the virus.
China reported 121 more deaths, bringing to the total number across the mainland to nearly 1,400.
Saturday, 15 February 2020
Today saw the death toll in mainland China surge past 1,500, with 66,492 infections confirmed in mainland China.
Elsewhere, the US prepared to evacuate its citizens from a cruise ship quarantined at a Japanese dock.
Meanwhile, a February 3 speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping, published by state media, indicated the government knew about the threat of the virus well before the public alarm was raised.
Sunday, 16 February 2020
Taiwan recorded its first death of a taxi driver in his 60s due to the coronavirus.
Authorities reported that 1,665 people had died in mainland China with 68,500 cases of infection reported.
Monday, 17 February 2020
17 February 2020
As of today, there have been 1,770 deaths reported in mainland China and 70,548 cases.
Japan confirmed 99 new cases of the virus onboard the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship.
Tuesday, 18 February 2020
Today saw China’s daily infection figures drop below 2,000 for the first time since January, with the country’s health commission reporting 72,436 infections on the mainland and 1,868 deaths.
Meanwhile, Russia said it would ban entry for Chinese citizens from February 20.
Wednesday, 19 February 2020
Iran reported two deaths from the coronavirus, hours after confirming its first cases.
China’s daily infection figures drop below 2,000 for the second straight day, with the country’s health commission reporting 74,185 infections on the mainland and 2,004 deaths.
Thursday, 20 February 2020
South Korea reported its first death from the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, China reported the death toll had risen to 2,118 while the total number of cases reached 74,576. The country’s health commission reported daily infections dropped to the lowest in almost a month, a result of authorities only counting cases confirmed by genetic testing in Hubei.
Friday, 21 February 2020
South Korea reported its second death and 100 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus, bringing the total to 204. In mainland China, the death toll reached 2,236 as the confirmed cases of the infection rose above 75,400.
Also, Israel reported its first confirmed case of the coronavirus after a woman who returned from a cruise ship tested positive.
In Italy, the region of Lombardy reported the first local transmission of the virus with three new cases bringing the total in the country to six infections.
Saturday, 22 February 2020
South Korea saw its largest spike in a single day with 229 new cases of the virus.
Italy reported its first two deaths, while Iran confirmed a fifth death among 10 new infections. A sixth death was later confirmed, though it was not clear whether this case was included in the country’s 28 confirmed cases.
In mainland China, the number of new infections fell significantly with 397 cases reported.
Sunday, 23 February 2020
Today saw several countries close their borders with Iran as the number of infections and deaths in the country grew.
In Italy, officials confirmed a third death, while local authorities brought the Venice Carnival to an early close and suspended sports events in an attempt to combat the spread of the virus in Europe’s worst-hit country.
Monday, 24 February 2020
Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Afghanistan and Oman all reported their first cases of the virus. Meanwhile, the number of cases in South Korea ballooned to 833 cases with seven deaths.
The death toll in China rose to 2,595 among 77,262 confirmed cases.
A seventh death was reported in northern Italy.
Tuesday, 25 February 2020
Iran’s deputy health minister, who had a day earlier given a press briefing on the outbreak, confirmed that he had coronavirus. The country’s official total reached 95 cases with 15 deaths.
Meanwhile, China’s reported cases continued to plateau, with 518 new infections and 71 new deaths confirmed. South Korea’s confirmed cases rose to 977 while Italy’s reached 229.
Wednesday, 26 February 2020
The global death toll neared 2,800 with a total of about 80,000 confirmed infection cases reported globally.
Norway, Romania, Greece, Georgia, Pakistan, North Macedonia and Brazil all detected their first cases of the coronavirus.
Thursday, 27 February 2020
Estonia, Denmark, Northern Ireland and the Netherlands reported their first coronavirus cases. The number of infections passed 82,000 worldwide, including more than 2,800 deaths.
Italy has seen a spike in infections which jumped to 650, while 3 more people died with the tally of deaths now at 17.
Meanwhile, in the US, the administration is considering invoking the Defense Production Act which would grant President Donald Trump the power to expand industrial production of key materials or products for national security.
Friday, 28 February 2020
Lithuania and Wales reported their first coronavirus cases, with Netherlands and Georgia reporting their second.
Saturday, 29 February 2020
South Korea reported its highest daily number of confirmed cases yet, 813, bringing the country’s total to 3,150 with 17 deaths. Iran also reported the number of its cases had jumped 388 cases to 593 in 24 hours, with the death toll reaching 43.
Meanwhile, Qatar confirmed the first case in the country.
Sunday, 1 March 2020
Armenia confirmed its first case, a 29-year-old man returning from Iran.
The Dominican Republic confirmed its first case, a 62-year-old Italian tourist.
Saint Barthélemy confirmed its first case.
Saint Martin confirmed its first case.
Scotland confirmed its first case.
Monday, 2 March 2020
Saudi Arabia’s health ministry announced its first coronavirus case. The victim travelled from Iran to the Gulf kingdom through Bahrain, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported.
Tunisia and Jordan also reported their first cases as the outbreak continues to spread in the Middle East.
Tuesday, 3 March 2020
Italy announced the death toll in the country reached 77, equalling the total deaths in Iran, which stand at 77.
Wednesday, 4 March 2020
The Faroe Islands confirmed its first case.
Poland confirmed its first case.
Slovenia confirmed its first case. A person travelled through Italy.
Thursday, 5 March 2020
Coronavirus has cost the makers of Mexican beer Corona £132 million in lost sales.
Mount Everest is shut to climbers.
Friday, 6 March 2020
The Grand Princess cruise ship, with some 3,500 people on board, will now not dock in San Francisco but was instead ordered to stay at sea Wednesday evening after several dozen people on board began to show symptoms. Which seem to run the risk of a repeat of its sister ship the Diamond Princess off Japan, which ultimately saw 700 infected and six die.
Saturday, 7 March 2020
The coronavirus has killed nearly 3,500 people and infected another 102,000 people across more than 90 countries.
China’s Health Commission reported 99 new cases, down from 143 cases the day before, with a total of 80,651 cases nationwide. Official data, meanwhile, showed China’s exports plunging 17.2 per cent in the first two months of the year after the outbreak brought much of the country to a halt.
In Iran, one of the worst-hit countries with 4,747 reported cases and 124 deaths, recently-elected MP Fatemeh Rahbar died from the coronavirus.
Sunday, 8 March 2020
Saudi authorities locked down the eastern Qatif region in a bid to contain the fast-spreading virus. Riyadh also said it was suspending all schools and universities across the country from Monday until further notice.
In Italy, the government imposed a strict quarantine in the state of Lombardy and 14 other areas in the north, affecting a total of 16 million people.
Monday, 9 March 2020
Iran released about 70,000 prisoners because of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, Iranian judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi said, without specifying if or when those released would need to return to jail.
Germany reported its first two deaths, with at least 1,100 confirmed cases in the country.
Tuesday, 10 March 2020
Both Iran and Italy recorded their highest death tolls in a single day. A total of 54 people died in Iran over 24 hours, while in Italy, 168 new fatalities were recorded from the coronavirus.
Lebanon and Morocco reported their first deaths from the virus, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Panama and Mongolia confirmed their first cases of infection.
Wednesday, 11 March 2020
WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, as Turkey, Ivory Coast, Honduras and Bolivia confirmed their first cases.
In Qatar, infections jumped drastically from 24 to 262 in a single day.
Thursday, 12 March 2020
The global death toll surpassed 4,600 with infections exceeding 126,100 cases. China reported 15 new cases, its lowest number since the daily reporting on infections began seven weeks ago.
Friday, 13 March 2020
Panic buying has taken over supermarkets. The chaotic scenes, which stripped the shelves of toilet rolls, long-live milk and pasta.
A man wearing in Bath was pictured wearing a combat-style hazmat suit while carrying 27 toilet rolls out of a shop. While in Haringey North London a man was mugged for his toilet rolls.
While concern for prison inmates was expressed as alcohol-based gels, used in protecting against the virus, is drunk by prisoners.
A newborn baby at Middlesex Hospital has become the world’s youngest person to catch the disease.
Saturday, 14 March 2020
Ministers have drawn up plans to put troops on the streets as deaths almost doubled with 24 hours to 21. Members of the Royal Military Police would support the local constabularies.
Five Jet2 planes heading to Spain were turned around mid-flight as the operator cancelled all flights to the country.
With panic buying at fever pitch, a travel agent in Cheam, Surrey offered a toilet roll for £629 per person, which came with a free holiday in New York.
Sunday, 15 March 2020
Spain reported about 2,000 new coronavirus cases and more than 100 deaths over the last 24 hours. The new figures raise Spain’s COVID-19 death toll to 288, with more than 7,700 people infected.
Kazakhstan, the Philippines and Austria announced tightened restrictions in a bid to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
Monday, 16 March 2020
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered the city’s bars, theatres and cinemas to close down, as the number of cases continued to rise in the US.
On the same day, more cases were reported in Turkey and Pakistan, while Iran registered a total of 14,991 infections and 853 deaths.
The Gulf region marked its first death due to coronavirus in Bahrain.
In Africa, Somalia confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus.
Two South American countries, Chile and Guatemala, announced they had closed their borders as part of measures aimed at containing the virus.
Iceland store in Belfast announces its first hour will be restricted to over 70s.
Criminal trials lasting over 3 days have been postponed, until at least next month.
Boris Johnson announces that even healthy people should reduce contact with others, while over 70s and those classified as vulnerable should self-isolate for several months to reduce their chances of catching Covid-19.
Originally thought to help coronavirus symptoms, ibuprofen could make matters worse. Anti-inflammatories could be a factor in aggravating the infection. It is now recommended that those with the virus take paracetamol. Naturally, the shops were cleared of the treatment overnight.
Tuesday, 17 March 2020
With a lockdown in her Tenerife hotel, a British tourist decided to take a protest dip in the pool. Onlookers egged a policeman to jump into the water and arrest the woman.
Italy reported 345 new coronavirus deaths in the country over the past 24 hours taking its total death toll to 2,503 – an increase of 16 per cent. The total number of cases in Italy rose to 31,506 from a previous 27,980, up 12.6 per cent – the slowest rate of increase since the contagion came to light on February 21.
Turkey, meanwhile, reported its first death related to the pandemic, an 89-year-old person.
The al-Naba newsletter has published a new set of ‘sharia directives’, cautioning members of Islamic State to ‘stay away from the land of the epidemic’. So a group who aspire of becoming suicide bombers are cautioned of the dangers of a virus that is a ‘torment sent by Godin whomsoever He wills’.
The Internet is filled with ‘good advice’. Public Health England warned against using a rapid home testing kit. Holding your breath for 20 seconds isn’t an indication of Covid-119. We are safer when it gets warmer – no. Vitamin C, known as an immune-boosting supplement can prevent catching the virus, it doesn’t. Men are more likely to catch it, only if they spend their days in the pub. Saltwater gargles will kill the virus. This would only make you thirsty. You can make your own hand sanitiser, get the ingredients wrong and you could end up in A&E.
Wednesday, 18 March 2020
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared for the first time a “human biosecurity emergency” in the country.
Morrison said the travel advisory had been upgraded to the highest level and told Australians: “Do not travel abroad, do not go overseas.”
Italy, meanwhile, recorded 475 new deaths, the highest one-day toll of any nation, taking its total to 2,978. The total number of infections in the country reached 35,713.
For the first time since the start of the epidemic, no new domestic cases were reported in China.
A bit of good news. The BBC is delaying the imposition of the TV Licence for 8 weeks. The charge would affect over 75s the very people told to self-isolate.
Thursday, 19 March 2020
Italy overtook China as the country with the most coronavirus-related deaths, registering 3,405 dead compared to 3,245 in China.
In Bergamo reports of the crematorium working 24-hours a day, 8 per cent of victims are health workers. “There’s no laughter, no car horns, no cheerful shouting. All you hear are sirens and church bells ringing for the dead.”
The death toll in Spain soared by 209 to 767 fatalities from the previous day. A roughly 25 per cent increase in infections was recorded, taking the country’s total to 17,147.
Levels of air pollutants and warming gases over some cities and regions are showing significant drops as coronavirus impacts work and travel.
Researchers in New York announced their early results showed carbon monoxide mainly from cars had been reduced by nearly 50% compared with last year.
Emissions of the planet-heating gas CO2 have also fallen sharply.
But there are warnings levels could rise rapidly after the pandemic.
Friday, 20 March 2020
Coronavirus-related deaths surged past 10,000 globally. The number of cases in Germany rose by 2,958 overnight to 13,957. Spain, meanwhile, said the death toll due to COVID-19 had risen to 1,002.
In China, however, no new domestic cases were reported for a second consecutive day even as concerns remained about infected people flying into the country and importing a second wave of the disease.
Boris Johnson orders all pubs, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, clubs, gyms and leisure centres to close for at least a fortnight.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer announces the State will pay 80 per cent of millions of workers salaries.
Guarding Royal Palaces since 1660, Household Troops suspended the ceremonial Changing of the Guard daily ceremony.
All schools in the UK closed today and will only take admissions from children of key workers, those who are employed in health, education, public services, transport, food production, distribution sale and delivery.
Saturday, 21 March 2020
Due to only five people, including the priest, being allowed at a wedding, we won’t be subjected to the nuptials of Princess Beatrice, with the ceremony still set for May 29, with dad Prince Andrew giving her away and mum Fergue posing for pictures for Hello! Magazine. The wedding arrangements have been delayed by a General Election, Prince Andrew’s Newsnight of a car crash interview, Megxit and now Covid-19. We can only be thankful for small mercies.
Police in Chula Vista, California plan to use drones, complete cameras and loudspeakers to make sure people comply with the lockdown.
Europe remains the epicentre of the coronavirus with Italy reporting 793 new fatalities, its biggest daily increase, bringing the total number of deaths to 4,825 amid 53,578 cases.
Spain is the second worst-hit country in Europe with more than 21,000 infections and at least 1,000 deaths.
To help each European country to contain the pandemic, the EU has taken the unprecedented step to suspend rules on public deficits, giving countries free rein to inject spending into the economy as needed.
Meanwhile, the first two fatalities have been reported in Singapore.
Sunday, 22 March 2020
Hairdressers are reporting a surge in demand from women who want to get their hair died before being stuck indoors for weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic.
John Lewis shuts all its stores for the first time in 156 years. John Lewis is closing all its 50 stores since beginning life as a drapery shop in Oxford Street in 1864.
Starbucks and Costa coffee outlets have gone cashless to cut hand-to-hand contact.
Patients are ordered to stay away from GP surgeries.
It was reported that scientists are working on 20 different vaccines.
Essex police were alerted when a vehicle was driven through a barrier at a site near Chelmsford. The raiders ignored expensive tools and equipment and made off with toilet rolls and hand sanitizer instead.
Being Mother’s Day today, everyone has been asked not to visit their loved ones.
The global death toll rose above 13,000 while the infection count surpassed 311,000. Governments around the world continued to lock down their countries, with the latest curfew coming into effect in India. The besieged Palestinian territory of Gaza registered its first two coronavirus cases.
Monday, 23 March 2020
Effectively the country is being locked down. You are only being allowed out once a day with people you live with, to go to the shops or get medicine. Weddings and baptisms are banned, but a funeral is allowed in new measures designed to stop the coronavirus spreading.
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson addressed the nation in a historic address watched by a record-breaking 28 million viewers, more than 40 per cent of the population.
Italy reported 602 new deaths, bringing the total to 6,077 with the tally of cases in the country rising to 63,928. Meanwhile, in the US, the number of cases surged past 35,000, with a death toll of 495, according to John Hopkins University data.
Tuesday, 24 March 2020
All hotels, campsites, B£Bs and caravan sites ordered to close. All those residing in second homes told to return home.
Spain reported 6,600 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of infections to 39,673, while fatalities rose to 2,696 from 2,182 the previous day.
Laos recorded its first two coronavirus cases.
Wednesday, 25 March 2020
Supermarkets’ home delivery service is at near collapse, as the Government suggested those under home quarantine should arrange food deliveries.
Oxford University has suggested the virus was circulating in Britain by mid-January, two weeks before the first reported death.
It was announced that London’s ExCel Centre will be turned into a giant temporary hospital. The 4,000-bed hospital will be constructed by the NHS and military planners.
On March 25, the White House and Senate leaders of both parties struck an agreement on a sweeping $2 trillion measure to aid workers, businesses and a healthcare system strained by the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak.
Meanwhile, India’s 1.3 billion people joined the global lockdown, and Spain recorded more than 700 deaths over the previous 24 hours, surpassing China in the total death toll, making the country now second to only Italy.
Pulling cruise ships out of the water has reduced the amount of global ocean noise almost instantaneously, scientists are reporting an unprecedented pause in ocean noise that probably hasn’t been experienced in decades.
Thursday, 26 March 2020
It has been suggested that ‘patent zero’ may have caught coronavirus at an Austrian ski resort. Daren Bland from East Sussex fell ill on 19 January. If confirmed, it would mean Britain began its outbreak more than a month earlier than first thought.
Chloe Middleton, aged 21, has become Britain’s youngest victim. Britain’s deputy ambassador to Hungary has also died of coronavirus at the age of 37.
The total number of coronavirus cases globally surpassed 500,000.
Cases in Europe topped 250,000 – more than half of which were in Spain and hard-hit Italy. Spain recorded 655 new fatalities over 24 hours, while Italy’s death toll rose by 712 to hit 8,215.
Kenya, Kazakhstan and Honduras all reported their first deaths.
Tonight thousands stood outside their homes or leant out of windows to applaud the NHS professionals working so hard to save lives.
Friday, 27 March 2020
The biggest daily rise of deaths was announced, the first time that more than 100 would die in Britain of coronavirus in a day.
Police warned the public to stay at home or face arrest after ministers granted them unprecedented powers to enforce the coronavirus lockdown.
Powers include:
You are only allowed to leave home to shop for basic necessities, exercise once a day, essential work and medical needs.
Those deliberately coughing at key workers face 2 years in jail.
No gathering in groups, only two from the same household.
Refusing to give name and address to avoid a fine face arrest.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced he had tested positive for the coronavirus.
“Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus,” Johnson said in a video posted on Twitter. “I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus.”
In Spain, meanwhile, the death toll rose to 4,858 after 769 people died over 24 hours, while South Africa recorded its first two deaths as a three-week nationwide lockdown came into force.
Saturday, 28 March 2020
The death toll claimed 181 today, the highest number so far.
Meanwhile, the BBC announced the long-running Radio 4 soap The Archers will be reduced from six to five episodes a week. New episodes will be recorded from cast members’ homes.
The number of cases worldwide surpassed 600,000, with more than 27,000 deaths.
Spain’s death toll meanwhile jumped to 5,690, with 832 deaths in the past 24 hours, according to the country’s health ministry. In the US, the number of people infected with the virus hit more than 104,000, while deaths exceeded 1,700.
Italy’s death toll from the virus also shot past 10,000 with 889 new deaths, according to the country’s civil protection service.
Sunday, 29 March 2020
Police are interpreting the new laws relating to coronavirus lockdown in some creative ways. Blind people have been warned for not keeping 2 metres apart, even if they cannot differentiate the space. While a shopkeeper was given a penalty notice for drawing lines in chalk in the pavement to indicate queuing distances. Derbyshire Police dyed the Blue Lagoon in Buxton black to deter groups of people from gathering at the beauty spot, they also shared pictures on social media of queues of cars visiting the Peak District before the lockdown. If it couldn’t get worse authorities are confused whether to prevent the purchase of Easter eggs.
Bitterly cold, and walked Rupert first thing. Changed clock forward. Jemma came round with milk/potato/fruit.
The US accounted for the highest number of coronavirus infections in the world, recording more than 124,000 cases. The death toll in the country surged past 2,000, more than double the figure two days ago.
Spain’s health ministry announced 838 new coronavirus deaths, marking the country’s highest daily jump in fatalities and bringing its total to 6,528.
Monday, 30 March 2020
More than a hundred MPs have urged the Commons authorities to work to design a ‘digital Parliament’ to allow democracy to continue. A 19-year-old with no underlying health conditions has died in hospital after testing positive for Covid-19, she was among 367 new deaths in England announced today. Up 27 per cent on yesterday, the greatest day-on-day rise so far.
President Donald Trump extended federal guidelines on social distancing until April 30 after a top health official warned between 100,000 to 200,000 people could die from coronavirus in the US.
Meanwhile, France announced it would pay for hotel rooms for victims of domestic violence and open pop-up counselling centres after figures showed the number of abuse cases had soared during the first week of the lockdown.
Tuesday, 31 March 2020
Nurses are having to care for coronavirus patients with no personal protective equipment whatsoever, putting their and their families lives at risk. Reports are circulating of hospital staff buying their own equipment from DIY stores.
1 in 7 beds in England’s hospitals has a coronavirus patient. As the death toll increased by a further 180 to 1,408.
Earth-observing satellites have detected a significant decrease in the concentration of a common air pollutant, nitrogen dioxide, which enters the atmosphere through emissions from cars, trucks, buses, and power plants.
The number of deaths in the US from coronavirus surpassed those reported by China, where the pandemic began in December, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University.
There have been more than 3,600 deaths in the US from the virus, the Baltimore-based university reported, more than the 3,309 in China.
In the hardest-hit countries in Europe, Italy reported the slowest daily rise in infections for two weeks, although the number of dead rose by 812. In Spain, an additional 800 deaths were reported.
Wednesday, 1 April 2020
The bodies of coronavirus victims who die at home will be ‘double wrapped’ in protective sheeting and put in body bags by police before being collected by undertakers. Around 30 per cent of coronavirus victims in London are expected to occur in residential settings.
Novacyt has made £17.8 million-selling coronavirus testing kits to over 80 countries as Britain doesn’t have enough laboratories to process them.
Nearly 400 have died in the last 24 hours, by far the biggest daily rise, nearly double on the previous day’s total. The YK has the seventh-highest death toll, with Italy at the top.
The United Nations chief has warned the coronavirus pandemic presents the world with its “worst crisis” since World War II, with almost 922,000 people around the world having been diagnosed with the virus.
The US death toll passes 4,300 as Spain, the United Kingdom and France reported their largest single-day increase in deaths to date.
Meanwhile, China is due to release data showing the number of asymptomatic cases, data not previously released publicly.
Thursday, 2 April 2020
Donald Trump criticised Britain for not mass testing at the outset of the pandemic. He later would have his problems as American cities would be devastated by Covid-19.
Germany is now testing 70,000 a day while Britain can only manage 8,000.
The world marked two grim milestones as the global total of confirmed COVID-19 cases surpassed 1 million and the worldwide death toll from the disease topped 50,000.
Spain’s death toll rose to 10,003 from 9,053, according to the country’s health officials, the highest daily toll since the outbreak began.
Russia’s coronavirus case tally also jumped to 3,548, a record daily increase of 771, according to Russia’s crisis response centre.
Friday, 3 April 2020
Prince Charles beamed in from his armchair to open Nightingale Hospital. This will, surely, go down as one of the most memorable achievements in the history of the National Health Service. It was certainly marked by one of the more memorable opening ceremonies in the long plaque-unveiling history of the House of Windsor. Thus it was that the Prince of Wales opened the 4,000-bed in east yesterday – while sitting in his armchair in deepest Aberdeenshire.
‘It is, without doubt, a spectacular and almost unbelievable feat of work in every sense,’ declared the prince as he saluted all those involved in the ‘mass mobilisation to withstand the coronavirus crisis’.
It was just last week that the virus laid low the prince himself, although he appeared fully recovered as he spoke on a video screen in front of what is now Europe’s largest hospital.
Just nine days ago, this had been the ExCeL conference centre, it is one million square feet reserved for the ‘National Wedding Show’ which should have been kicking off at 9 am today.
As of now, it will be the epicentre of the greatest peacetime emergency in modern times.
‘An example, if ever one was needed,’ the prince continued, ‘of how the impossible can be made possible and how we can achieve the unthinkable through human will and ingenuity.’
The US recorded the highest daily death toll of any country since the pandemic began at nearly 1,200.
Meanwhile, Spain’s death toll has risen by 932 to 10,935, with health ministry figures confirming a consistent downward trend in the rate of new cases and fatalities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned Middle Eastern governments that they must act quickly to limit the spread of the coronavirus as cases in the region have risen to nearly 60,000 – almost double the tally of a week earlier.
The Queen held her first video-link Privy Council meeting with Jacob Rees-Mogg, Robert Buckland and Michael Give. Normally meetings are held standing. The trio was granted permission to sit down at their laptops.
Saturday, 4 April 2020
America has been accused of ‘modern-day piracy’ offering China three or four times the going rate for face masks. American officials moved in on loaded planes bound for France and bought the shipment of 1.5 million masks.
Two nurses have lost their lives to Covid-19 robbing six children of their mother. Seven front-line NHS have become victims.
Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab was buried today, by men in full hazard suits, after dying alone. The 13-year-old was the youngest to die in Britain.
President Trump calls for every American to wear a face mask, but said he would not follow the official advice himself.
The day the Earth almost stood still. Scientists across the world, from Belgium to Mexico, have reported the vibrations caused by cars, trains, buses and the public have dropped, meaning the Earth’s crust is much quieter than usual.
Corona beer is suspending production as Mexico deemed its manufacturer non-essential, and not, as someone though, a vehicle for spreading the virus.
While on the upside, our wildlife is feeling liberated. Shy Kashmiro giants are freely roaming the deserted streets if the Welsh seaside town of Llandudno, wild boar in Barcelona, coyotes enjoying the empty roads of San Francisco, wild turkeys strutting their stuff in California. Moles clambering above ground and sightings of oystercatchers on empty beaches, stoats, weasels, deer, golden eagles lapwings, skylarks are becoming a common sight.
Sunday, 5 April 2020
In a rare speech, the Queen, sitting in the same place in Windsor Castle where she made her first speech to the Nation during the war, thanked people for following government rules to stay at home and praised those “coming together to help others”.
She also thanked key workers, saying “every hour” of work “brings us closer to a return to more normal times”. History, Her Majesty told us, “will say the Britons of this generation were as strong as any”.
It comes as the number of people to die with the virus in the UK reached 4,934.
During the evening it was announced that Boris Johnson had been admitted to hospital to treat his coronavirus symptoms “as a precaution”.
A virtual Grand National was run with £10 to win bets being taken. All takings and some winnings were donated to NHS workers. It was run by Potters Corner, while the real horse was at his home farm in Ogmore-by-Sea in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Monday, 6 April 2020
A tiger at Bronx Zoo in New York City has tested positive for Covid-1, six other tigers and lions at the zoo are also showing symptoms, but have not yet been tested for the infectious disease.
Sales have increased in old anti-malaria drugs. Seldom used as the malaria parasites have become resistant to the drugs. Some believe President Trump’s tweets that these drugs, which can cause fatal cardiac arrest, can make one resistant to the coronavirus.
Three mobile phone mast fires around the UK are being investigated as possible arson, amid concerns that people are attacking telecoms infrastructure because of a conspiracy theory linking 5G technology to the spread of coronavirus.
Boris Johnson has been transferred into an intensive care ward as his coronavirus symptoms become more serious.
The United States death toll topped 10,000, only exceeded by Italy with 15,887 and Spain with 13,055.
Tuesday, 7 April 2020
No apparent improvement in Boris Johnson’s health, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab took over for only a few hours before he took was brought down with the virus.
Sue Ryder hospices are in danger of closing due to a lack of funds, brought on by the closure of its shops and curtailment of fundraising.
A result of a lockdown affecting almost half the world’s population has produced some benefits. Fish are now being spitted in Venice’s blue and transparent canals as far fewer boats churn up the sediment. Duck splash in Rome’s fountains and satellites have detected spectacular falls in air pollution over much of China, with a conspicuous lack of killer smogs. London, Bristol, Birmingham and Cardiff are reporting pollution levels down by a third. Stanford University has calculated that so far the shutdown gas saved the lives of 4,000 children under five and 73,000 adults over 70.
And The Beatles’ pedestrian crossing in St. John’s Wood is being repainted because just for once nobody is using it.
The UK had 786 recorded deaths in the last 24 hours, the highest recorded number since the pandemic struck.
Saw a contrail against a perfect azure sky. I found myself staring at this phenomenon. A rare sight these days.
A letter from the Government arrived today to inform us exactly what they have on television ad nauseum.
Wednesday, 8 April 2020
Today marks the 100th day since coronavirus in China was first announced.
Fourteen Transport for London employees have died as a result of coronavirus. They don’t seem to be exercising a duty of care.
The first patients have arrived at the Nightingale Hospital in London’s ExCel centre.
A 100-year-old coronavirus patient at University Hospital Centre of Sao Joao in the city of Porto in northern Portugal was presented with a birthday cake by medical staff at a hospital in Portugal shortly before learning he had beaten the infection. Photos show medical staff clad in full PPE handing Luciano Marques da Silva a cake on his 100th birthday.
Today, at 938, saw the highest number of Covid-19 deaths recorded in the UK over the past 24 hours.
China lifted its lockdown apart from a few areas. It had reported 3,213 deaths from the virus, although many question the authenticity of those figures. 200 flights were scheduled to depart Wuhan, carrying 10,000 passengers, who potentially could spread the infection. Over 100 high-speed trains also departed the city.
Thursday, 9 April 2020
Premium Bond jackpot winners were not visited in person, to tell them the good news, for the first time in 26 years.
Boris Johnson is improving, he is sitting up in bed, although still on oxygen. He later today was transferred to a ward.
Another poignant night of clapping as at 8 pm the road turned out to clap NHS and key workers.
Quotations from the Queen’s televised address were displayed, next to an image of the Monarch, on a 146ft digital billboard overlooking Piccadilly Circus. Unfortunately, pedestrians, and possible readers, were absent on this usually busy spot.
An unintended consequence of the lockdown could be that 310,000 miles of road verges will be left to run wilder than usual. The pandemic has put pressure on local authorities to reduce non-essential activities. Charity Plantlife predicts summer-flowering wild plants could be at their best for years.
£220,000 of fresh milk is dumped every day, largely because the virus has shut down coffee shops, who normally buy about half of the 40 million litres consumed each day. Wholesalers are slashing the price they pay dairy farmers and there’s a shortage of milk in the shops.
Another grim static with 881 deaths recorded over the last 24 hours.
Friday, 10 April 2020
It’s Good Friday and everyone is staying home, yet 980 died yesterday.
In Singapore, the use of Zoom for online education was suspended after hackers hijacked a lesson and showed obscene images to students.
Boris Johnson is said to be getting up from his bed and taking short walks in St. Thomas’ Hospital.
Saturday, 11 April 2020
The BBC who make hospital dramas, Casualty and Holby City have donated functioning ventilators, used as props in the soap dramas, to the London Nightingale Hospital.
Health Secretary, Matt Hancock claimed that 742 million pieces of personal protection equipment had been delivered, including 161m masks, 127m aprons, 1m gowns and 345m pairs of gloves.
Sunday, 12 April 2020
A little bit of good news, Boris Johnson has been discharged from hospital. Taken to Chequers to recuperate. He gave a terrific speech thanking the NHS for saving his life.
The Pope commemorated Easter mass behind closed doors.
While today Great Britain passed the 10,000 deaths marker with 737 deaths during the last 24-hours. The daily ‘briefing’ is becoming more like The Great Plague of London with its Bills of Mortality published each week in the capital.
Monday, 13 April 2020
As the holiest week in the Christian calendar draws to a close, it’s been disclosed that the Church of England has transported church plate worth millions of pounds to the Tower of London over fears that the rare silver, paintings and artefacts from 400 London churches might be looted.
Tim Brooke-Taylor, 79 of Goodies fame has died of coronavirus.
London Zoo’s pygmy goats are missing their young visitors. At 10 am they rush to the gate of the petting enclosure, and wait expectantly for the children’s arrival.
Tuesday, 14 April 2020
Barbour, known for their wax jackets, has transformed part of its factory in South Shields into a production line for PPE. It is delivering navy gowns to the staff at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. While Jaguar Land Rover us making visors for hospital staff.
After a balmy Bank Holiday of 77F, the Government has expressed delight that most of the public have followed distancing guidelines.
Incredibly China has blamed the rise of new infections, after lifting the lock-down, on 98 arriving from abroad.
50 million pints of beer could be thrown away if the lock-down continues into summer, pub leaders have warned.
Fortuitously the Maundy Thursday custom, washing the feet of the poor, has long been abandoned. This surely pleases John Inge, Bishop of Worcester and HM’s Lord High Almoner. In times of plague, the Queen’s predecessors dispatched the Almoner to perform the toe ablutions.
Scientists in Holland have worked out they can calculate the spread of the virus by studying sewage. Epidemiologists in the Dutch city of Amersfoort are analysing human waste to determine how many people have been infected. Indications start to appear in excretions up to three days before patients exhibit symptoms. It was by this method scientists postulated that London had a population of 1 million over the official figures.
Reports of chemists insisting one ringing a bell, shouting your name through the glass door and then any medication is thrown out of a small hatch on to the pavement.
Wednesday, 15 April 2020
In London, in the week ending 3 April, nearly half of all deaths recorded were attributable to Covid-19.
It has been suggested that a bat-eating dog may have started the pandemic. Feral mongrels in China could have become infected with bat coronavirus which evolved before jumping to humans.
Thursday, 16 April 2020
A flight bringing in 150 Romanian fruit and vegetable pickers is due to arrive at Stansted. Incredibly five more chartered flights have been booked as farmers are faced with labour shortages because of the pandemic. Meanwhile, the Government is allowing workers who have been furloughed on 80 per cent of their salary to work on farms without financial penalties.
The Government has announced that the lock-down will last until at least 7 May. Curiously the first to open will be restaurants, coffee shops and…estate agents.
Cheques due to be paid to 70 million Americans to help them in the coronavirus crisis have been delayed while Donald Trump’s name id printed on them.
Today Cpt Tom Moore completed 100 laps of his garden to mark his one-hundredth birthday. Hoping to raise a little money for the NHS after recently having a hip replacement, he currently has raised well over £15 million.
Another Thursday night of clapping in support of the NHS.
Friday, 17 April 2020
EasyJet expects to keep its middle seats empty once travel restrictions are lifted, but warned doing so could push up prices of flights.
Curiously academics from the Universal Medical Center Hamburg have suggested using copper coins are safer than banknotes. The copper present in all coins has antimicrobial properties that can kill off the virus.
More clarification has been given on what is allowed during the lockdown. Moving to a friend’s house to cool off following a row at home; buying tools to repair a fence damaged by bad weather. No allowed includes: buying paint or visiting a friend’s house.
Saturday, 18 April 2020
A BA crew has flown 2.5 million pieces of PPE back to the UK from China in a 28-hour mission. Seven pilots and six crew picked up supplied and packed the seats on the Boeing 777’s, overhead lockers and hold with the equipment. It is believed to be the first time a BA jet’s passenger section has been used to carry cargo.
Sunday, 19 April 2020
A new ‘Covid Tsar’midelled in Winston Churchill’s wartime Minister of Supply has been drafted in by the Government amid mounting concerns about the shortage of protective equipment for NHS staff.
Sources believe that ‘Patient Zero’ was an intern at the Wuhan Institute, China’s primary virology laboratory at the centre of the outbreak, who spread the virus into the local population after infecting her boyfriend.
It’s been disclosed there could be a global shortage of…tea.
Monday, 20 April 2020
Flower-growers are calling on the Government to brighten up Britain with blooms, by buying £200 million worth of seasonal plants that are set to perish, as garden centres remain lockdown.
A bit of good news. Deaths reported for the last 24-hours have fallen to 450. Although Monday’s sometimes are late for receiving the statistics, it is the lowest daily death figure in two weeks.
Tuesday, 21 April 2020
On a lighter note today, A flock of sheep have been caught on camera crowding around a closed Welsh McDonald’s outlet. The cheeky sheep were spotted by Andrew Thomas, in Ebbw Val, who shared his picture on social media, joking: “Even the sheep in Ebbw Vale is having McDonald’s withdrawals.”
Wednesday, 22 April 2020
It has been reported that peers could get £150 a day tax-free for taking part in select committees remotely via webcam.
MPs approved plans for a virtual Parliament for the first time in their 700-year history. up to 50 will sit in the Commons chamber and another 120 dial in using Zoom video-conferencing. Social distancing spaces have been marked on the benches.
One of the advantages of the lock-down has been cocaine street prices have tripled, with supply lines drying up dealers are tempted to cut it with even more toxic chemicals.
Thursday, 23 April 2020
Sales of £1 pregnancy test kits at the discount retailer Poundland have surged by 25 per cent since the lockdown began.
Friday, 24 April 2020
David Hockney’s suggestion that smokers may be immune to coronavirus has been taken up by a Paris hospital. Pitié-Salpetriere arr putting nicotine patches on key workers. The theory is that nicotine could stop the virus reaching certain cells and the body’s immune system overreacting.
Saturday, 25 April 2020
A leading disinfectant producer has issued a strong warning not to use its products on the human body after Donald Trump suggested they could potentially be used to treat coronavirus.
We could be allowed to meet up with 10 closest family or friends under one idea to relax the coronavirus lockdown, the question is: if you fall out with one, can you nominate another in their place.
Sunday, 26 April 2020
Due to less pollution, Britain’s skies have turned a deeper shade of blue. No plane contrails and less fine particles from vehicle emissions have given us a hue normally only found on remote tropical islands.
Monday, 27 April 2020
It has been disclosed that not a single patient has been treated at Birmingham’s Nightingale Hospital, which has a capacity for 4,000 patients. ExCel’s London Nightingale Hospital only had at one time 41 patients, now only 26 patients occupy the possible 3,600 beds.
Tuesday, 28 April 2020
Korea’s touring production of the Phantom of the Opera is the only major show currently on stage anywhere on the planet. The play about a masked figure who hides himself away from the world, much like many these days, can be seen as Korea has produced an app for people to prove they are corona-free.
Wednesday, 29 April 2020
One piece of good news. Boris Johnson is a new dad as his girlfriend gives birth to a boy.
The less good news was BA is planning to make 12,000 staff redundant as it has cut 94 per cent of its flights.
Thursday, 30 April 2020
Officials have asked residents to skip the traditional Walpurgis Night party in Lund, Sweden, and will fence off the park. But they will also spread a ton of chicken droppings – to give the lawns nutrition and keep away revellers. ‘Chicken manure simply smells awful,’ said Gustav Lundblad, of the city’s environment board. ‘It’s not very pleasant to sit around drinking beer in that smell.’The celebrations, in which bonfires supposedly ward off evil spirits, normally attract up to 30,000 visitors. ■
Friday, 1 May 2020
Donald Trump has claimed he has evidence that the coronavirus originated in a Wuhan laboratory.
Saturday, 2 May 2020
Health Secretary Matt Handcock’s promise to test 100,000 a day by the end of the month has been achieved with 122,347 on Thursday.
Sunday, 3 May 2020
An NHS contact-tracing app aimed at limiting the future spread of coronavirus will be trialled on the Isle of Wight this week, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps revealed today that the island in the English Channel will be the first place in the UK where the new, “exciting” NHS smartphone app will be used.
Monday, 4 May 2020
Boris Johnson has revealed doctors were preparing to announce his death as he battled Covid-19.
Tuesday, 5 May 2020
Boris Johnson has revealed that he clapped for NHS carers in his underwear during his stay in hospital.
Wednesday, 6 May 2020
Russia and China have been accused by security services of hacking Oxford University’s pioneering research into the coronavirus vaccine.
Thursday, 7 May 2020
London Zoo says it could be forced to close permanently because the virus crisis is costing it £2.3 million a month. It needs a cash injection of £25 million to stay afloat as it faces the worst crisis in its 172-year history.
Friday, 8 May 2020
Chinese researchers have found that 16 per cent of patients recovering from Covid-19 had the virus in their semen, suggesting that they could pass it on.
Saturday, 9 May 2020
The NHS app has gone live on the Isle of Wight, with 33,000 of its140,000 population downloaded within 24 hours. Twenty-eight have used the app to report possible symptoms.
Sunday, 10 May 2020
Recruitment of contact tracers has begun, two weeks after the policy was unveiled, no medical knowledge is required and payment is just over the minimum wage.
Monday, 11 May 2020
A 29-year-old ‘super-spreader’ in South Korea may have infected more than 7,000 people after spending time at five nightclubs and bars.
Tuesday, 12 May 2020
Boris Johnson has admitted that there may never be a vaccine for the coronavirus. A cousin of Coriv-19, SARS after 18 years still hasn’t been beaten with a vaccine.
Wednesday, 13 May 2020
Estate agents have been reopened. Owners will be asked to leave the house or stand in the garden while viewings take place and buyers will be asked to avoid touching any surfaces.
Thursday, 14 May 2020
Belly Mujinga, working at the ticket office at Victoria Station, was spat at on Mothering Sunday, by a stranger who told her he had Covid-19, has died of coronavirus.
Friday, 15 May 2020
Cat owners have been told they risk catching coronavirus if they kiss their pets. The animals can spread the virus to others without any of them having symptoms.
Saturday, 16 May 2020
Germany’s Bundesliga has become the first major European football team to resume action behind closed doors.
Greece, France and Italy have opened their beaches.
Sunday, 17 May 2020
Boris Johnson has announced the Go3is investing £93 million to bring forward the opening of a pioneering new vaccine centre by a year. Opening by summer 2021 they hope to produce enough vaccines for the entire population by the end of next year.
Monday, 18 May 2020
NHS England is drawing up new guidelines on the use of anticoagulants for those critically ill with Covid-19 after researchers discovered blood clots are a key feature of the infection.
Tuesday, 19 May 2020
Stilton, the country’s only trademarked cheese, risks disappearing after sales have plunged by 30 per cent.
Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Boris Johnson has announced that an army of trackers, capable of tracing the contacts of up to 10,000 per day, will be up and running by 1st June.
Thursday, 21 May 2020
A major review of scientific evidence, from 47 studies, has concluded it is very unlikely that reopening schools will spread Covid-19 among children or adults.
Friday, 22 May 2020
Boris Johnson is set to scale down China’s Huawei’s involvement in Britain’s 5G network, down to zero in three years.
Saturday, 23 May 2020
Annemarie Plas, a Dutch national has suggested the weekly ‘clap for carers’, that she started 8 weeks ago, should be stopped as it had become too politicised.
Sunday, 24 May 2020
Former Brexit minister Steve Baker has stated that Dominic Cummings must go for driving 260 miles from London to County Durham during the lockdown.
Monday, 25 May 2020
A Department of Education document has been issued suggesting children under two need 3.5 sq metres per child. Two-year-olds require 2.5 and three to five-year play in 2.3 sq metres. Also, sandpits, playdough and soft toys banned.
Tuesday, 26 May 2020
Shopping trips are back, outdoor markets will open again next Monday, then all other retailers on 15th June.
Wednesday, 27 May 2020
Health firms have been ordered to stop selling fingerprick coronavirus antibody tests while officials carry out an urg3review of their accuracy.
Thursday, 28 May 2020
The tour of Phantom of the Opera has been cancelled. Theatre producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh has blamed the uncertainty of social distancing and predicted he won’t be able to stage productions until 2021.
Friday, 29 May 2020
It’s been announced that from Monday people can meet outside in groups of up to six, but if it rains you’re going to have to stand under an umbrella, you cannot shelter in someone else’s home.
Saturday, 30 May 2020
Demand has soared as families battling boredom look to take on a dog. Now the Kennel Club is advising there is a 12-month wait for some breeds.
Sunday, 31 May 2020
Gao Fu, Chinese director of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has said that: “At first, we assumed the seafood market might have the virus, but now the market is more like a victim.
Monday, 1 June 2020
A queue outside an Ikea store in Warrington peaked at a mile long.
Tuesday, 2 June 2020
Drivers taking advantage of quieter roads, with two-thirds of police forces catching drivers doing more than 100mph. The highest speed was 151mph clocked on the M62 in West Yorkshire.
Wednesday, 3 June 2020
Anyone arriving in Britain will now have to quarantine for 2 weeks or face a £1,000 fine.
Thursday, 4 June 2020
Chester Zoo, the UK’s second most popular paid-for attraction is facing a £24 million shortfall this year and might be forced to close permanently.
Friday, 5 June 2020
British Airways have threatened legal action against the Government over its quarantine plan for travellers entering the UK.
Saturday, 6 June 2020
From Monday all arrivals to the UK have to fill in an online ‘contact fixator’form setting out where they will live for the next fortnight.
Sunday, 7 June 2020
A report from Imperial College London has claimed the lockdown cut the spread of coronavirus by 81 per cent, saving an estimated 470,000 lives.
Monday, 8 June 2020
Hairdressers are planning to work behind a Perspex screen and visor, in the rush to return to work next month.
Tuesday, 9 June 2020
Hotels, guest houses and campsites in Wales are set to remain closed to tourists throughout the summer, claimed the First Minister.
Wednesday, 10 June 2020
Just one in four children eligible to return to school returned to classrooms last week, as Reception, Years 1 and 6 in addition to key worker’s children were told to return.
Thursday, 11 June 2020
Production of Marmite has had to be curtailed as the spread’s vital ingredient, brewer’s yeast made from leftovers of beer production has been in short supply as brewers have halted making beer.
Friday, 12 June 2020
The average household has stopped spending more than a fifth of the usual outlay saving £182 a week on pubs, restaurants, shops, tourism and transport.
Saturday, 13 June 2020
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have announced they are returning to Clarence House in London next week after self-isolating in Birkhall in Scotland.
Sunday, 14 June 2020
EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic have banned alcohol on all flights to limit contact between passengers and crew.
Monday, 15 June 2020
Non-essential shops opened today with huge queues forming before opening.
Tuesday, 16 June 2020
Scientists have found the vast majority of those who tested positive for coronavirus has not seen a decrease in antibody levels two months after diagnosis.
Wednesday, 17 June 2020
Hairdressers have been ordered to observe a silence rule when they reopen in two weeks, avoiding face-to-face discussions and talking via a mirror.
Thursday, 18 June 2020
Cameron Mackintosh has said that his musicals will not reopen until next year.
Friday, 19 June 2020
A life-saving inhaler to treat coronavirus by nebulising a drug called SNG-001that can be used to self-administer when someone is in the earliest stages of infection is to be given to vulnerable people.
Saturday, 20 June 2020
The lowest Saturday figure for deaths today with 128 new coronavirus deaths.
Sunday, 21 June 2020
Visit Britain estimates that the tourism industry, which supports 3 million jobs, will suffer a £42 billion loss of income this year because of the pandemic.
Monday, 22 June 2020
Pantomime season won’t happen this year because of the financial impact of coronavirus pandemic, this time of year spending on productions start, but there is an uncertain future today.
Tuesday, 23 June 2020
The largest single-day increase in global coronavirus cases has been recorded at more than 183,000.
Wednesday, 24 June 2020
Wedding ceremonies in England will soon be allowed with a maximum of 30 guests.
Thursday, 25 June 2020
With temperatures reaching over 90F an estimated half-a-million people flocked to Dorset’s beaches.
Friday, 26 June 2020
Laws to enable outdoor drinking, dining and shopping are to be fast-tracked through the Commons within a week, to enable businesses to open with the coronavirus still a danger.
Saturday, 27 June 2020
Boris Johnson’s time in intensive care after he fell ill with coronavirus, the birth of his child and his handling of the crisis is to be made into a film.
Sunday, 28 June 2020
Shops have spent up to £75 million on signage instructing customers to remain two metres apart, only to find them redundant as the rule has been reduced to one metre.
Monday, 29 June 2020
More than 10 million people have tested positive for coronavirus globally, although experts claim it could be 10 times higher.
Tuesday, 30 June 2020
Nightingale hospitals in Harrogate and Exeter set up to cope with Covid-19 patients are to be repurposed to deal with a major backlog of suspected cancer cases.
Wednesday, 1 July 2020
Ministers had hoped to create air bridges enabling tourists to visit countries with similarly lower rates of infection. Greece has already rejected Britons from visiting.
Thursday, 2 July 2020
Leicester has been closed down due to a spike in coronavirus cases.
Friday, 3 July 2020
Drinkers will be asked to prove they are not from Leicester when pubs reopen tomorrow, fearing residents will ignore the lockdown and travel out of the city to have a drink.
Saturday, 4 July 2020
Churches open tomorrow with new rules requiring ‘disposable hymn sheets’, ignoring the fact that singing hymns have been banned.
Sunday, 5 July 2020
On the weekend of April 18-19 more than 1,600 people died of coronavirus, this weekend deaths totalled 89.
Monday, 6 July 2020
Churchgoers returned for the first time in 15 weeks, hymns were banned, no prayer books or choirs and socially distanced pews.
Tuesday, 7 July 2020
A suspected case of bubonic plague has been found in the city of Bayan Nur, in the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia.
Wednesday, 8 July 2020
Death rates across Europe due to coronavirus are two thirds higher than excess fatalities caused in recent years by flu outbreaks, a major study has revealed.
Thursday, 9 July 2020
Health care workers and social care employees have been exempt from parking charges since March will now have to pay their cars at hospitals.
Friday, 10 July 2020
Outdoor swimming is to be allowed with extra-wide lanes, online booking and increased regular cleaning.
Saturday, 11 July 2020
Dt Li-Meng, a Chinese researcher claims senior members of her faculty suppressed evidence that the new disease could be transmitted between humans when it erupted last year.
Sunday, 12 July 2020
Kirklees, Bradford, Blackburn, Rochdale, Oldham, Rotherham and Barnsley have all been deemed towns of concern due to an increase of coronavirus.
Monday, 13 July 2020
Ministers have bought up to 10 factory lines with a capacity to produce five million face masks a week.
Tuesday, 14 July 2020
According to current research, immunity to Covid-19 might be lost with months, findings suggest that, like common flu, the virus could infect people on an annual basis.
Wednesday, 15 July 2020
It has been predicted Britain’s economy may not recover to pre-coronavirus levels until 2024.
Thursday, 16 July 2020
With Lakeland closed to tourists, at 40 per cent, South Lakeland has the highest number of furloughed workers in Britain.
Friday, 17 July 2020
Wales has banned passengers from eating, reading newspapers and talking on phones on buses and trains.
Saturday, 18 July 2020
Theatre visitors could be sprayed with disinfectant on their way into the auditorium under plans to reopen.
Sunday, 19 July 2020
Doctors and nurses were not tested for coronavirus because hospitals feared they could not cope with too many staff sent home.
Monday, 20 July 2020
The cabinet has gathered together, a metre apart, for the first time, in the Lacarni Suite in the Foreign Office.
Tuesday, 21 July 2020
Five million public sector staff have been warned they may face pay freezes for years due to the coronavirus
Wednesday, 22 July 2020
Research studying 40,000 patients has discovered the coronavirus is both more deadly and more likely to spread in cold weather.
Thursday, 23 July 2020
The Palladium had its first show in months with a mich reduced audience. It showed Beverly Knight.
Friday, 24 July 2020
Mask wearing has become compulsory in shops from today.
Saturday, 25 July 2020
Boris Johnson has predicted that masks could remain compulsory for at least a year.
Sunday, 26 July 2020
Tourists to Spain have been told they must quarantine for 2 weeks when they return to Britain.
Monday, 27 July 2020
Spraying with hypochlorous acid could be the solution to beating the virus. The public would walk through a fogging tunnel producing a very fine spray.
Tuesday, 28 July 2020
Patients who test positive for coronavirus are to be told to self-isolate at home for 10 days, up from the current week.
Wednesday, 29 July 2020
A study has estimated that up to 21,000 people have died because of unintended consequences due to the coronavirus lockdown.
Thursday, 30 July 2020
Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps has had to return from his Spanish holiday after travel to the country required travellers from the country to isolate for 14 days.
Friday, 31 July 2020
It is now mandatory to wear a face-covering in shops.
Saturday, 1 August 2020
Face coverings will become mandatory in England when visiting museums, art galleries and places of worship.
Sunday, 2 August 2020
A major incident has been declared in Greater Manchester due to increases in coronavirus infection rates across multiple localities.
Monday, 3 August 2020
In Melbourne, a curfew has been imposed in an attempt to slow down the coronavirus.
Tuesday, 4 August 2020
The Government revealed people could be banned from leaving the towns or cities they live in as part of efforts to tackle local coronavirus outbreaks. One suggestion is that the M25 would be used as the boundary for London.
Wednesday, 5 August 2020
The scale of the coronavirus jobs bloodbath now amounts to 131,861 losing their jobs.
Thursday, 6 August 2020
Britains are lagging behind all major European economies in returning to work, just a third have returned to work.
Friday, 7 August 2020
Travellers returning from Belgium, the Bahamas and Andorra have been ordered to self-isolate for 14 days following a spike in infections in those countries.
Saturday, 8 August 2020
A survey of 4,351 teenagers and young adults who have used e-cigarettes has found they are five times more likely to get coronavirus.
Sunday, 9 August 2020
Thousands have taken to the beaches during a heatwave causing concern over social distancing rules.
Monday, 10 August 2020
Coronavirus has caused the biggest recession in recorded history.
Tuesday, 11 August 2020
Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city went back into lockdown after coronavirus returned to the country for the first time in 102 days.
Wednesday, 12 August 2020
Nearly 300 workers at a sandwich factory supplying Marks and Spencer tested positive for coronavirus.
Thursday, 13 August 2020
Andrew Lloyd Webber has volunteered to take part in a coronavirus vaccine trial in a bid to help prove that theatres can reopen safely.
Friday, 14 August 2020
Tourists returning from some countries including France and Malta will now have to self-isolate for 14 days.
Saturday, 15 August 2020
Soho’s French House has started serving pints for the first time as coronavirus rules mean there is only room for one bartender.
Sunday, 16 August 2020
Heathrow will this week start to offer Covid-19 tests for passengers arriving from virus hotspots costing £150.
Monday, 17 August 2020
Coronavirus has been linked to the development of Typ61 diabetes in children, a study suggests. Thirty children in London hospitals were diagnosed with recent-onset if Type 1 double the typical number.
Tuesday, 18 August 2020
Public Health England has been disbanded after a series of blunders during the coronavirus pandemic, shunning smaller labs for testing, ignoring British PPE equipment manufacturers, while previously disposing of a vast amount of the equipment.
Wednesday, 19 August 2020
The weekly coronavirus death toll has fallen to its lowest level since lockdown began, with flu and pneumonia now responsible for nearly eight times more deaths.
Thursday, 20 August 2020
Public Health England to be replaced with a new body tasked with preventing virus and viral warfare.
Friday, 21 August 2020
Shoppers are being hit with higher bills as businesses reopen after lockdown to cover the cost of cleaning and protective equipment.
Saturday, 22 August 2020
Only two coronavirus deaths were recorded in the UK yesterday.
Sunday, 23 August 2020
Donald Trump will fast-track the coronavirus vaccine being developed at Oxford University to give to Americans by October.
Monday, 24 August 2020
A school in Dundee has closed after 21 members of staff tested positive for coronavirus.
Tuesday, 25 August 2020
A 33-year-old Hong Kong man is the first in the world proven to suffer coronavirus for the second time.
Wednesday, 26 August 2020
KFC is to pause its ‘finger lickin good’ slogan after 64 years as it doesn’t fit in the age of coronavirus.
Thursday, 27 August 2020
Coronavirus does not kill healthy children and they face only a ‘tiny’ risk of severe illness a large study has reported.
Friday, 28 August 2020
Experts believe the virus is being spread by young people after 1,522 cases were reported, the highest since 12 June.
Saturday, 29 August 2020
Hairdressers may be infecting customers with coronavirus because the visors they are mandated to wear are ‘inadequate’, scientists have warned.
Sunday, 30 August 2020
Two rival vaccines being developed by competing universities could end up being used together to provide lasting immunity to coronavirus.
Monday, 31 August 2020
Coronavirus could trigger type 1 diabetes, German doctors have suggested after a 19-year-old suddenly fell.
Tuesday, 1 September 2020
Official data has shown that 730,000 jobs have been lost since the coronavirus hit Britain.
Wednesday, 2 September 2020
Hydrocortisone has been found to reduce the death of severely ill Covid-19 patients by a fifth.
Thursday, 3 September 2020
Super-fast coronavirus tests have been released giving results in as little as 20 minutes.
Friday, 4 September 2020
It has been reported that 40 per cent of UK deaths were in care homes
Saturday, 5 September 2020
A sudden spike in UK cases has brought infection up to 2,988 is highest since May
Sunday, 6 September 2020
Infection tests are at many places unavailable or ridiculously far away.
Monday, 7 September 2020
Seven Greek islands have been added to Portugal, Spain on the quarantine list
Tuesday, 8 September 2020
Indoor social gatherings over 6 to be banned, but new rules “for no longer than we have to”
Wednesday, 9 September 2020
The new ‘improved’ test and trace app coming on 24th September
Thursday, 10 September 2020
The R number now between 1 and 1.2 (or higher), daily cases double this time last week.
Friday, 11 September 2020
Restrictions on socialising have been imposed in Birmingham
Saturday, 12 September 2020
Masks now mandatory in shops in Wales, bring it in line with the rest of the country
Sunday, 13 September 2020
Matt Hancock, health secretary wags finger at young people accusing them of not being socially responsible
Monday, 14 September 2020
Care homes have been warned of the rise in infections, while patients are being discharged from hospital to the homes.
Tuesday, 15 September 2020
The Government has introduced a Rule of Six forbidding members from different families meeting if their number exceeds six.
Wednesday, 16 September 2020
No tests were available in top 10 hotspot areas.
Thursday, 17 September 2020
Grouse shooting has been allowed, despite infection fears.
Friday, 18 September 2020
Sadiq Khan has cancelled London’s New Year fireworks for this year, blaming, predictably the Government.
Saturday, 19 September 2020
Draconian measures are being introduced with hefty fines of 1,000 to 10,000 for breaking self-isolation.
Sunday, 20 September 2020
The children have gone back to school and predictably test demand is ‘significantly outstripping’ capacity, which has come as a surprise to those involved in organising testing.
Monday, 21 September 2020
Daily cases continue to rise rapidly, new rules are “for perhaps six months”.
Tuesday, 22 September 2020
The NHS COVID-19 app (finally) launches.
Wednesday, 23 September 2020
SNP MP breaks self-isolation rules by travelling to Westminster and returning to Scotland knowing she tested positive for coronavirus.
Thursday, 24 September 2020
Students returning have seen cases at 40 at universities prompting lockdowns.
Friday, 25 September 2020
The Speaker of the House of Commons demands greater Parliamentary say in coronavirus regulations.
Saturday, 26 September 2020
20 per cent of the UK population now under local restrictions.
Sunday, 27 September 2020
Global deaths from coronavirus pass 1 million.
Monday, 28 September 2020
A ban on socialising in pubs in north-east England has been imposed.
Tuesday, 29 September 2020
The growth in cases could be slowing in Great Britain.
Wednesday, 30 September 2020
The new rules are so complicated the Prime Minister misquotes new NE restrictions.
Thursday, 1 October 2020
It’s been announced that students won’t face Christmas quarantine.
Friday, 2 October 2020
Three more Welsh counties face lockdown as coronavirus spreads.
Saturday, 3 October 2020
Pubs and restaurants have an10pm curfew, forcing drinkers on to the streets.
Sunday, 4 October 2020
This Sunday’s London Marathon is for elite runners only due to social distancing.
Monday, 5 October 2020
President Trump tests positive, with conflicting reports on his health.
Tuesday, 6 October 2020
Numerous other White House staff have now tested positive.
Wednesday, 7 October 2020
15,841 cases uncounted and not followed up to an overload on an Excel spreadsheet.
Thursday, 8 October 2020
Yesterday Trump briefly leaves hospital for a motorcade and now Trump ‘feeling good’ – leaves the hospital.
Friday, 9 October 2020
Hospital admissions jump by 25% and a shortage of tests across the NHS.
Saturday, 10 October 2020
The delayed honours list recognises care workers.
Sunday, 11 October 2020
Trump claims that getting Covid-19 is “a blessing from God”.
Monday, 12 October 2020
Masks are now required in Scottish workplaces.
Tuesday, 13 October 2020
The R Rate is between 1.3 and 1.5.
Wednesday, 14 October 2020
Three Nightingale hospitals have been put on standby
Thursday, 15 October 2020
The hospitality industry has warned 750,000 possible job losses by February.
Friday, 16 October 2020
Tighter rules have pit 10 million people in England moved up a tier in the new alert system.
Saturday, 17 October 2020
The UK recorded 16,171 new coronavirus cases, up six per cent on the previous Saturday.
Sunday, 18 October 2020
Wales is set to announce two weeks of tighter restrictions.
Monday, 19 October 2020
The police are to be allowed access to test and trace data, to enforce the quarantine.
Tuesday, 20 October 2020
2½ week “firebreak” lockdown in Wales.
Wednesday, 21 October 2020
For £80 Heathrow tests for those flying to Hong Kong.
Thursday, 22 October 2020
With infections rising tier 3 imposed on Greater Manchester.
Friday, 23 October 2020
Scots have been told to prepare for ‘digital Christmas’.
Saturday, 24 October 2020
The Prime Minister hopes families can celebrate Christmas together.
Sunday, 25 October 2020
A study had concluded that antibodies to fight coronavirus decline rapidly
Monday, 26 October 2020
The Government have said it’s too early to say what Christmas rules will be.
Tuesday, 27 October 2020
100,000 catching virus every day: E Yorks → tier 2, W Yorks → tier 3
Wednesday, 28 October 2020
½ million in England had the virus last week the Government are trying to avoid blanket measures
Thursday, 29 October 2020
A sharp rise in deaths across Europe
Friday, 30 October 2020
Tory MPs call for roadmap out of lockdown
Saturday, 31 October 2020
Wales anticipates another firebreak in January
Sunday, 1 November 2020
4-week lockdown across England from next week, furlough scheme extended by a month
Monday, 2 November 2020
We have gone into another lockdown in England which ‘may last more than 4 weeks’.
Tuesday, 3 November 2020
It has been disclosed that Prince William contracted the virus in April, but kept a stiff upper lip.
Wednesday, 4 November 2020
Everyone in Liverpool, one of the highest areas to prove positive, are to be tested.
Thursday, 5 November 2020
38 MPs have voted against lockdown 2.
Friday, 6 November 2020
The UK bans visitors from Denmark after a mutation has been discovered in its mink farms.
Saturday, 7 November 2020
The new rapid test misses half of the cases.
Sunday, 8 November 2020
This year we had a scaled-back and distanced Remembrance Sunday.
Monday, 9 November 2020
Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech is strongly effective, early data from the large trial indicate.
Tuesday, 10 November 2020
Ebola disease centres are being used for patients returning from Denmark amid fears over a mutant strain of coronavirus linked to mink.
Wednesday, 11 November 2020
The UK death rate is 10 per cent higher than usual for the time of year.
Thursday, 12 November 2020
A testing operation to get students home for Xmas has been announced.
Friday, 13 November 2020
UK death toll passes 50,000.
Saturday, 14 November 2020
The R rate decreasing but still above 1.
Sunday, 15 November 2020
Divali this year goes digital
Monday, 16 November 2020
Test and Trace have told the Prime Minister to self-isolate.
Tuesday, 17 November 2020
The US vaccine is 95% effective (the UK hasn’t bought any).
Wednesday, 18 November 2020
11 areas in Scotland raised to tier 4.
Thursday, 19 November 2020
Hull now has the UK’s highest rate of infection.
Friday, 20 November 2020
Dido Harding the head of Test & Trace now self-isolating.
Saturday, 21 November 2020
The UK is setting up vaccine hubs with the R rate still (just) above 1.
Sunday, 22 November 2020
There is a political will to ‘save Christmas’.
Monday, 23 November 2020
Oxford vaccine has been proved to be 70 per cent effective.
Tuesday, 24 November 2020
UK Christmas: 3 households can mix for 5 days.
Wednesday, 25 November 2020
99 per cent of England placed in the top two tiers, only Cornwall, Scillies and IoW in tier 1.
Thursday, 26 November 2020
Free vitamin D for 2½m as the vitamin is thought to reduce virus efficacy.
Friday, 27 November 2020
Vaccine rollout minister appointed.
Saturday, 28 November 2020
Russian vaccine claims to be “up to 95% effective”.
Sunday, 29 November 2020
Fans to be allowed at outdoor sport, but only 50 per cent capacity.
Monday, 30 November 2020
Acadia, which includes Top Shop and Miss Selfridge has gone into administration, 13,000 jobs at risk.
Tuesday, 1 December 2020
Debenhams has gone into administration, 16,000 jobs at risk.
Wednesday, 2 December 2020
The UK has becomes the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for widespread use.
Thursday, 3 December 2020
Health Secretary, Matt Hancock has called the licensing of the Pfizer and Oxford vaccines “A day to remember in a year to forget”.
Friday, 4 December 2020
The Government has made no plans for ‘vaccine passport’.
Saturday, 5 December 2020
The first vaccine doses arrive in the UK.
Sunday, 6 December 2020
Santa’s grottos can open if Covid-secure.
Monday, 7 December 2020
Overcrowded Nottingham Xmas market closed
Tuesday, 8 December 2020
First NHS patient receives a vaccine. The world watched as Margaret Keenan, 90, got her jab.
Wednesday, 9 December 2020
Calls for London to enter tier 3 as cases rise.
Thursday, 10 December 2020
Two NHS nurses have shown signs to be allergic to Pfizer vaccine.
Friday, 11 December 2020
Self-isolation reduced from 14 to 10 days.
Saturday, 12 December 2020
The Oxford vaccine is safe and effective.
Sunday, 13 December 2020
The WHO declares the vaccine, not a short-term solution.
Monday, 14 December 2020
Health Secretary, Matt Hancock announces a new variant of coronavirus has been discovered in southern England and Europe.
Tuesday, 15 December 2020
More than 60 per cent of England’s population – 34 million – will move into Tier Three tonight. London and parts of south-west Essex are included.
Wednesday, 16 December 2020
Wales, with the highest infection rate in the.UK is bringing in tougher rules on Christmas and will enter its third lockdown after coronavirus escalated ‘beyond crisis point’.
Thursday, 17 December 2020
More than 137,000 people in Britain were vaccinated against coronavirus in the first week of the programme in injecting the nation.
Friday, 18 December 2020
11,000 missing coronavirus test ‘lost’ in Wales
Saturday, 19 December 2020
A new virus variant is 70 per cent more transmissible resulting in the Prime Minister enforcing a tier 4 lockdown in London & SE England from midnight.
Sunday, 20 December 2020
Redundancies hit a record high with many laid off from the leisure industries.
Monday, 21 December 2020
40 countries ban travel from the UK but supermarkets say no short term shortages
Tuesday, 22 December 2020
Sir John Bell of the Government’s vaccine task force has predicted the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab would be approved by regulators shortly after Christmas.
Wednesday, 23 December 2020
Tier 4 is to be extended to most of southern England. A new coronavirus variant has been discovered in South Africa promoting the banning of visitors from that continent.
Thursday, 24 December 2020
First cases of coronavirus in Antarctica announced
Friday, 25 December 2020
2 per cent of Londoners have the new strain of the virus
Saturday, 26 December 2020
SE England and East Anglia are moved into tier 4, while mainland Scotland and Northern Ireland back into lockdown
Sunday, 27 December 2020
The new coronavirus variant is now detected across Europe
Monday, 28 December 2020
Hospitals have been told to prepare all spare capacity, but, as cases surge, the Oxford/Astra Zeneca is likely to be approved this week.
Tuesday, 29 December 2020
Scientists call for full lockdown in England as new Covid cases multiply.
Wednesday, 30 December 2020
The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved for use in the UK, with the first doses due to be given on Monday.
Thursday, 31 December 2020
Coronavirus curbs should be over by Easter, so claims Health Secretary, Matt Hancock and says the Prime Minister aims to lift restrictions in spring as Oxford vaccine is revealed to be up to 90 per cent effective.
CabbieBlog 
“This journal has to be the most interesting journal that I have ever read, I mean we have a COvid-19 journal, and all the events took place in the last 8-10 months.
The journal puts many things into perspective and keeps you in reality check that things have suddenly not become normal, and it is not like the pandemic is over yet. So, we better get our act together and keep the following social distancing and maintain our personal hygiene.”
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A global pandemic is something that Prof. John Oxford had been predicting on TV for decades, and it would be a pathogen I felt might be the one thing to destroy civilisation (maybe I’m a glass half-empty guy). So when reports started to be shown on late-night news of Chinese doctors warning of this disease I decided to copy Daniel Defoe’s ‘A Journal of the Plague Year’ about London in 1665.
As a footnote The Spanish Flu of 1918-20 is still with us, so we had better get accustomed to our cautious way of life for some time.
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