UK, Scotland & Ireland - Coronavirus COVID-19

[astheworldfallsdown]

Same here Alyce. I'm watching people pass by all day like it's a regular Saturday. Current restrictions aren't working so looks like they'll have to get stricter.

 

[Legally Bland]

Starting to wish I hadn't clicked on the Guardian's live CV blog.

14:37

Watford General Hospital has closed its A&E to new patients and visitors “until further notice”, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust announced.

Though no reason has as yet been provided, the hospital is known to be under significant strain from the pandemic. The Watford Observer reports that several wards are dedicated to Covid-19 patients and, as of Friday, a confirmed 29 of the trust’s patients have died after testing positive.

In a post on Twitter, the trust wrote:

Please DO NOT attend Watford General’s emergency department until further notice, even in an emergency. Go to your next nearest hospital with an emergency department. Anyone with non-urgent issues should seek advice via https://111.nhs.uk

UK coronavirus live: British death toll up by 20% to 4,313

​

 

[Amonet]

This awful article describes what's happening from a doctor's perspective at a hospital in the Midlands...the doctor is unnamed as they're not allowed to talk. They describe nurses with four times their normal maximum number of patients to look after. Not enough PPE for any of the staff, whether they're in ICU or A&E.

It also describes some items of machinery being so over-used that they're worrying about machines breaking down as they weren't designed for this amount of non-stop usage.

Why some NHS workers are wearing bin bags

ETA there's far, far more than that in the article. It also says there are a number of staff members as patients in the ICU. Difficulties with having to tell relatives over the phone that their loved one is going to die or has just died.

 

[Amonet]

After reading that article, it makes me feel that questions of 'what next?' and 'how long do we stay on lockdown' are totally irrelevant right now.

The only question that seems to matter is 'what can be done to help the hospitals?'

 

[HayLouise]

Queen to acknowledge nation’s ‘pain’ in address about coronavirus crisis

Heartbreak for Fiona Vallely as funerals of parents held on same day

Coronavirus: Belfast solicitor Niall Murphy showing some improvement, relieved loved ones say

Coronavirus: Eight further deaths and 94 new cases as healthcare workers get tested at SSE Arena in Belfast

Ventilators are being made and brought in for the NHS, Michael Gove says

 

[HayLouise]

CastleCourt launch Family Hub to keep kids entertained during lockdown

NI company steps up to help NHS worker who had her bike stolen

Ambulance Service issues warning about Covid-19 affect on 999 calls

Coronavirus testing centre at SSE Arena opens for health staff

 

[HongKongPhooey]

CastleCourt launch Family Hub to keep kids entertained during lockdown

NI company steps up to help NHS worker who had her bike stolen

Ambulance Service issues warning about Covid-19 affect on 999 calls

Coronavirus testing centre at SSE Arena opens for health staff

How is your family doing HayLouise? Xx

 

[Amonet]

From the BBC Live page:

Exercise outside the home could be banned in the UK. Sunbathing in public spaces is absolutely not allowed.

The country could have a shortage of 8000 ventilators from what the government expects to be peak need.

Three nurses have died from Covid-19 infections

Outdoor exercise in the UK could be banned if people ignore the rules on staying at home and social distancing, the country's health secretary has warned.

Matt Hancock told the BBC's Andrew Marr that if people "flout the rules" then the government "will have to take action".

He said: "If you don't want us to have to take the step to ban exercise of all forms outside of your own home, then you've got to follow the rules."

We reported a few minutes ago that Mr Hancock said sunbathing was not allowed and it was "quite unbelievable" that people were still leaving their homes when it was not necessary.

He said the timing of restrictions being lifted would all depend on how people behave, saying "the more people stay at home the less the virus will spread".

Mr Hancock said that the goal for the number of ventilators now needed over the coming weeks is 18,000, and said currently they have between 9 and 10,000.

When asked about the number of nurses that had died of Covid-19 Mr Hancock said the latest figure was three deaths.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-52171176

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

Gardaí urge public to continue social distancing ahead of expected coronavirus peak

MEMBERS OF THE public have been urged to continue social distancing ahead of the expected coronavirus peak.

Garda Deputy Commissioner John Twomey thanked people for high levels of compliance with the new rules so far and urged efforts to continue.

“We want to thank people for the high level of compliance with the health guidelines,” said the senior officer who heads up the Garda’s National Covid-19 Co-ordination Centre.



“It is vital that continues today and for the rest of the time they are due to be in place.

“By working together and keeping to the HSE advice, we can flatten the curve and save lives.”

Twomey added that people should continue to stay home, exercise within 2km of their home, and carry on social distancing.

 

[Ironside]

I really think the UK needs to bring in similar restrictions to Ireland. To avoid groups gathering all exercise should be done alone. Travel should be limited to 2km (unless vital) to cut down on all the idiots driving to the beach/parks/Ben Nevis etc.

I’d much rather go for my daily walk with my partner but people are completely ripping it so these restrictions are needed.

 

[HayLouise]

How is your family doing HayLouise? Xx

Things had been okay the past week, but James now has a sore throat again and just feeling generally rubbish it’s so hard, you don’t know whether it’s coronavirus or just a general cold/virus and it’s hard feeling like I’m doing this alone with the kids.. Mental health is really struggling but we will all get through this.

How are you doing? X

 

[HongKongPhooey]

Things had been okay the past week, but James now has a sore throat again and just feeling generally rubbish it’s so hard, you don’t know whether it’s coronavirus or just a general cold/virus and it’s hard feeling like I’m doing this alone with the kids.. Mental health is really struggling but we will all get through this.

How are you doing? X

Getting thro it day by day and feeling much better at last thanks.

Hang in there it just takes a while to work its way thro but you'll get there xX

 

[HayLouise]

Getting thro it day by day and feeling much better at last thanks.

Hang in there it just takes a while to work its way thro but you'll get there xX

Thanks Glad you are feeling much better! X

 

[dixiegirl1035]

UK Rules with explanations

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[HayLouise]

Northern Ireland mum praises hospital staff after six-month old Lexie overcomes Covid-19 and bronchiolitis

 

[Amonet]

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been admitted to hospital for tests, on the advice of his doctor, regarding his ongoing Covid-19 infection.

It has been said for a few days that Boris didn't end his self-isolation after 7 days of the virus as he still had a fever.

Mr Johnson is expected to stay overnight and is having what have been described as "routine tests", according to BBC Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg.

Dr Sarah Jarvis, a GP and broadcaster, told the BBC that Mr Johnson would be likely to have his chest X-rayed and his lungs scanned, particularly if he had been struggling for breath.

She said he is also likely to have an electrocardiogram to check his heart's function, as well as tests on his oxygen levels, white blood cell count, and liver and kidney function before he is released from hospital.

It says Boris will remain in charge of the government while he's in hospital. It was announced when the PM tested positive for Covid-19 that if the illness got in the way of his Prime Ministerial duties that Dominic Raab would step in for the duration. But it does not appear that measure has been activated.

PM admitted to hospital over virus symptoms

 

[Amonet]

Queen Elizabeth II's coronavirus address to the nation:

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[Ironside]

I truly hope Boris is ok.

 

[Amonet]

As the prime minister continues to be observed by doctors, Downing Street said it was too early to say whether he would be staying in for another night and did not deny that he has been given oxygen treatment.

The Guardian was told last week that Johnson was more seriously ill than either he or his officials were prepared to admit, and that he was being seen by doctors who were concerned about his breathing.

Boris Johnson remains in hospital after 'comfortable night'

 

[Amonet]

From the Guardian:

Hospitals in the West Midlands are forecast to reach maximum capacity by next weekend, the region’s mayor has said, amid growing concern that one in five deaths from coronavirus in England have happened in the Midlands.

“The expectation, given the modelling of how this disease is spreading, means that we will need the capacity at the NEC Nightingale hospital at about the time it’s due to open,” Street said.

Coronavirus: hospitals in West Midlands 'will be at capacity by next weekend'