MONDAY 23rd NOVEMBER 2020
Facts and figures.
11,299 reported new cases in 24 hours.
608 deaths.
The categories of COVID deaths in the first wave up to the 20th June 2020, published by the ONS:
Care Home deaths – 19,394
Deaths elsewhere:
80+ years - 14,987
75+ years – 4,504
70+ years – 3,502
65+ years - 2,333
60+ years – 1,635
55+ years – 1,433
50+ years – 835
All under 50 – 984
Author’s note. You can see from these figures how the JCVI have come to prioritise the vaccine roll out.
Daily news.
There will be a news briefing later today by Prime Minister Johnson.
**THIRD VACCINE DISCOVERY ANNOUNCED**
It is typical, you are waiting for a vaccine, and three turn up all at once! So, Oxford University and AstraZeneca have announced their findings and it is further good news, although a little odd at the same time.
What are the odds?
Their vaccine is ‘up to’ 90% effective. The oddity relates to the dosage. You are given half a dose which once ingrained you become 70% protected. You then have a second full dose which takes the protection up to 90%. The perplexing bit is that if you administer two full doses, you are only 62% protected. No-one seems to know why.
What’s in a name?
The vaccine is called AZD1222.
The positive elements are that we in the UK have 100 million doses ordered, and all things being equal 4 million doses are planned to be rolled out in December. By the end of March 2021 there will be the equivalent of 40 million doses in bulk form in the UK.
Secondly, this vaccine can be stored at normal fridge temperatures, so it has huge logistical benefits to transport worldwide.
Full of beans.
Thirdly, it is much cheaper than the other vaccines and is described as ‘the price of a cup of coffee.’
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is still self-isolating, tweeted.
‘Incredibly exciting news, the Oxford vaccine has proved so effective in trials. There are still further safety checks ahead, but these are fantastic results. Well done to our brilliant scientists at Oxford and AstraZeneca, and all who volunteered in the trials.’
Peter Horby, Professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Global Health at Oxford University, tweeted.
‘Oxford jab is far cheaper and is easier to store and get to every corner of the world than the other two.’
Professor Andrew Pollard from Oxford University spoke about how safe it was:
‘We started in April, so we have been following up people for a long time. If you add all the months together, we are at 6,000 years of follow up, so a huge amount of data.’
Vanguard.
It is really great news and Professor of Vaccinology Sarah Gilbert must take much of the credit in vanguarding the research. More than 20,000 volunteers were involved, half in the UK, the rest in Brazil. Astra Zeneca are preparing to make 3 billion doses worldwide.
You will recall the detailed process which I have outlined previously about this vaccine. It uses a weakened version of a common virus which causes a cold in chimpanzees. The virus is genetically modified so that it is impossible to grow in humans.
Serendipity.
Author’s note. I don’t necessarily believe in divine intervention but there is a fascinating insight into how the Oxford vaccine was found ‘by serendipity’ – by accident.
During the trials, those administered the vaccine were given two full doses spread out over a month. One group, however registered far less headaches and arm pain and when they went back to check it was discovered that they had inadvertently been administered only half a dose for the first injection. Amazingly this same group’s results showed a 90% efficacy versus 62% with the two full doses. It was a mistake.
7 pm Press Briefing.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson (remotely as he is still self-isolating), Professor Chris Whitty Chief Medical Officer, Professor Andrew Pollard Director of coronavirus vaccine project Oxford University.
Winter plan.
The Prime Minister said that the national lockdown will end on 2nd December 2020 as planned, however we will return to a Tier system and the highest level of Tier 3 will be more robust.
Shops, gyms and hairdressers will be allowed to reopen under his 54-page ‘Winter Plan.’
The details of how each region is categorised will be announced on Thursday.
Bigger Better Categories.
The BBC categorised the new Tiers for us:
Follow the rule of six if meeting indoors or outdoors.
Pubs and restaurants to shut at 11 pm.
People encouraged to minimise travel and work from home where possible.
Spectators allowed at sports events and live performances. (limited numbers)
Personal care including hairdressing allowed.
TIER 2: HIGH
No household mixing indoors.
Rule of six will apply outdoors
Pubs and restaurants to shut at 11 pm.
Alcohol only served as part of a substantial meal
Spectators allowed at sports events and live performances. (sparse numbers)
Personal care including hairdressing allowed.
TIER 3: VERY HIGH
No household mixing indoors or outdoors in hospitality venues or private gardens.
Rule of six applies in outdoor public spaces like parks.
Pubs/restaurants closed except for delivery and takeaway
Indoor entertainment venues closed
Guidance against travelling in and out of the area
Personal care including hairdressing allowed.
The Prime Minister said there would be a ‘six-week surge of testing’ in all Tier 3 areas.
Yule be fine.
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