The statistics tonight continue to show how we are coming out of our pandemic of Covid 19. We must be approaching the lowest level we are going to get until all of us are fully protected.
The number of tests done today was 730,262 and of those only 2,166 proved to be positive. This is still a drop of a further 6.6% in the last 7 days. The rate of positive tests is 24.8 per 100k of the population.There have been 29 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. This figure continues to decline, 8.9% in the last 7 days and the death rate is 0.2/100k. Hospital data is even more impressive. As of 26th April only 1,634 are in hospital beds. Only 124 were admitted in the last 24 hours. Only 227 are on ventilators.
Vaccination progress is stepping up again, 33.96 million first jabs have been given with 13.58 million having a second dose.
If you are over the age of 42 by 1st July please book your first Covid jab now. It is now thought that seven out of ten adults in the UK have Covid antibodies. Even if you have had two doses of the Covid 19 vaccine you should still keep up social distancing. Here in the UK we think ‘whole population’, whereas in the USA most are tending to mix freely and ignoring the social distancing- they are thinking only in terms of individuals, or put another way the privileged, who are immunised, can do things others cannot.
Today India has suffered a significant earthquake at a 6.4 level on the Richter scale. The epi-centre was the Sonitpur district of Assam. There is considerable damage to homes, but it is too early to have fully assessed it. It continues to get worse with even more new cases, 360,960 new cases in the last 24 hours and 3,293 deaths. These figures are predicted to get worse for another 3 weeks. There is a reported severe shortage of timber to build the funeral pyres. Pyres are now being built in car parks as bodies are laying on the ground in rows waiting to be cremated. The world is responding now to requests for help. Northern Ireland have sent 3 oxygen generators, each of which can deliver 500 l/minute. Remember Covid patients need up to 15 litres each, every minute.
Northern Ireland only has 60 people in hospital with Covid. 8 are in ITUs and one death has been reported.
Pakistan is considering a new lock down as figures rise there as well. 201 deaths and 5,292 new cases. They have only managed to give 2 million jabs.
An advanced contract has been established with Pfizer to provide 60 million doses for later in the year. This vaccine, when made, will take into account the new variants being identified which may affect its efficacy. It is likely that a booster will be required by the end of the year.
I was delighted to hear Prof. JVT talk about his visit to our local vaccination centre at the Princess Diana sports centre here in Boston. He is Boston born and bred and held in very high esteem in the town. He complemented the staff and praised their calm efficiency. I can but echo that, as my experiences were first class when I attended twice.
Please keep going I do not need to repeat the rules every day, please continue your care and support for others and stay safe
Kenneth Hines' WordOfWisdom 