Coronavirus

[JeMeSouviens]

Scotgov daily figures changing to take account of no longer confirming +ve LFT with PCR:

https://blogs.gov.scot/statistics/20...ase-reporting/

[Sir David Gray]

Daily Scottish update;

* 8,203 new cases since yesterday - Please note that as of 13 January 2022, this figure includes cases identified using either a first LFD (lateral flow device) or PCR (polymerase chain reaction) positive test.
Increase of 23 in the confirmed cases in hospital since yesterday - 1,560
Decrease of 1 in the confirmed cases in intensive care since yesterday - 58
4,395,793 people have now received their first dose of the vaccine - 1,037 people since yesterday
4,057,606 people have now received their second dose of the vaccine - 2,854 people since yesterday
3,159,109 people have now received a booster vaccination - 13,572 people since yesterday
26 deaths registered since yesterday

* Whilst improving, there continues to be large volumes of tests being processed by labs; this has impacted turnaround times resulting in delays between specimen’s beings taken and results being received and reported. PHS are continuing to monitor the situation.

[Hibbyradge]

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Well, yes, if they are vaccinated they are less likely to catch it, therefore the number of kids who can then pass it on is reduced.

I didn't think vaccination reduced the risk of catching Covid. I thought it reduced the risk of serious illness if/when it's been contacted.

[HibsGW]

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I didn't think vaccination reduced the risk of catching Covid. I thought it reduced the risk of serious illness if/when it's been contacted.

It reduces the risk of catching it and also reduces the risk of spreading it once you catch it as there’s a higher chance of being asymptomatic. Doesn’t completely remove the risk though.

With omicron it might have changed a bit but with Delta you were about 2/3 less likely to spread the virus than unvaccinated people were.

[Hibbyradge]

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It reduces the risk of catching it and also reduces the risk of spreading it once you catch it as there’s a higher chance of being asymptomatic. Doesn’t completely remove the risk though.

With omicron it might have changed a bit but with Delta you were about 2/3 less likely to spread the virus than unvaccinated people were.

I thought that being asymptomatic doesn't reduce the risk of spreading it.

It just means that you don't know you've got it or you have no symptoms, but you're still infectious. In fact, I'd suggest that asymptomatic people are even more likely to spread it inadvertently.

I thought that vaccines stop serious illness and death and that they didn't stop you catching it or spreading it. I need to do some more research!

[SideBurns]

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I thought that being asymptomatic doesn't reduce the risk of spreading it.

It just means that you don't know you've got it or you have no symptoms, but you're still infectious. In fact, I'd suggest that asymptomatic people are even more likely to spread it inadvertently.

I thought that vaccines stop serious illness and death and that they didn't stop you catching it or spreading it. I need to do some more research!

I've a recollection of Dr Chris Smith saying on the BBC Breakfast programme last Saturday that asymptomatic people were less likely to pass it on than those symptomatic. I'm possibly talking keech that it was him, but definitely heard some medical gadgy saying something along these lines recently (how's that for a confident statement of fact 😄?)...

[Hibbyradge]

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I've a recollection of Dr Chris Smith saying on the BBC Breakfast programme last Saturday that asymptomatic people were less likely to pass it on than those symptomatic. I'm possibly talking keech that it was him, but definitely heard some medical gadgy saying something along these lines recently (how's that for a confident statement of fact 😄?)...

Ha ha.

I've had a bit of a search and it seems that actually is the case.

However, a friend of mine in York is triple jagged and has just recovered from a hellish bout of Covid. He says it's the worst illness he's ever had.

He's very glad he's been vaccinated!

[SideBurns]

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Ha ha.

I've had a bit of a search and it seems that actually is the case.

However, a friend of mine in York is triple jagged and has just recovered from a hellish bout of Covid. He says it's the worst illness he's ever had.

He's very glad he's been vaccinated!

It certainly seems to affect people to different degrees. The vast majority that I know who've had it haven't had anything worse than fairly mild symptoms, but I've heard from a few that have been completely floored.

Btw, talking of Dr Chris Smith, I recall hearing him on Colin Murray's radio show on BBC 5live away back in the early days of the pandemic. When asked by Murray what percentage of the population he expected to catch the virus, he replied that he expected everyone to become infected at some point. He's probably not wrong. Don't ask me why I remember that, other than some stuff sticks in the brain (not enough in my case, unfortunately).

[Sir David Gray]

109,133 cases and 335 deaths registered in the UK today.

* Scotland cases include PCR results only.

Hospital patients continue to decline.

[Sir David Gray]

Breakdown of today's cases by council area - PCR results only;

Glasgow - 694
Edinburgh - 529
Fife - 423
South Lanarkshire - 377
North Lanarkshire - 340
Aberdeenshire - 200
Aberdeen - 187
Renfrewshire - 173
West Lothian - 153
Falkirk - 153
Dundee - 152
Highland - 149
North Ayrshire - 135
Perth and Kinross - 127
East Ayrshire - 127
East Dunbartonshire - 113
Angus - 113
East Lothian - 109
Dumfries and Galloway - 90
Scottish Borders - 88
Stirling - 86
East Renfrewshire - 86
Midlothian - 85
South Ayrshire - 83
West Dunbartonshire - 79
Inverclyde - 78
Moray - 60
Clackmannanshire - 59
Argyll and Bute - 54
Orkney - 12
Na-h Eileanan Siar - 11
Shetland - 5

[Sir David Gray]

Two parties held in Downing Street as Queen and country mourned death of Prince Philip.

The leaving events for No 10 staff were held on the eve of the Duke's funeral and excessive alcohol is believed to have been consumed.

Downing Street staff drank alcohol into the early hours at two leaving events the night before Prince Philip’s socially-distanced funeral, The Telegraph can reveal.

On the evening of Friday Apr 16 2021, Britain was in a period of public mourning. Union flags on Government buildings across Westminster hung at half mast to mark the passing of Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II's husband, the previous week.

With the country in step two of a strict lockdown roadmap, which barred indoor mixing, mourners were told not to leave flowers due to the Covid threat. A book of condolence was set up online to “reduce the risk of transmission” from physical signings.

In a private chapel in Windsor Castle the Prince’s coffin lay overnight. The next day the Queen, her face covered by a black mask, would say farewell to her husband of 73 years. With social distancing rules in force, she sat alone.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics...mourned-death/

[Sir David Gray]

The US Supreme Court has blocked President Joe Biden's rule requiring workers at large companies to be vaccinated or masked and tested weekly.

The justices at the nation's highest court said the mandate exceeded the Biden administration's authority.

Separately they ruled that a more limited vaccine mandate could stand for staff at government-funded healthcare facilities.

The administration said the mandates would help fight the pandemic.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-59989476

[Sir David Gray]

A new study has linked Covid-19 to complications during pregnancy.

Scottish researchers found that women who catch the virus near the end of pregnancy were more vulnerable to birth-related complications.

They are more likely to suffer them than women who catch Covid in early pregnancy or not at all.

The researchers say getting vaccinated is crucial to protect pregnant women and their babies from life-threatening complications.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59986452

[Sir David Gray]

NICOLA Sturgeon has come under fire for crucial business support grants being handed over to traders “at a snail’s pace”.

At First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross pressed Ms Sturgeon over concerns raised by businesses they have not yet received funding to mitigate restrictions rolled out by the Scottish Government in response to the Omicron surge – despite previously being assured the cash would be handed over by Christmas.

Ms Sturgeon appeared to put the blame onto necessary red tape as councils give out the funding to protect against fraud.

Mr Ross pointed to his opponent’s pledge on December 14 that ”vital financial support…would be delivered before Christmas” but claimed that “the First Minister has failed”.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/polit...pport-funding/

[SteveHFC]

https://twitter.com/stvnews/status/1...556636672?s=21

Next coronavirus variant ‘could be worse than Omicron’, says Leitch.

“It will be the next normal, it won’t be the same as it was pre-Covid,” he said.

[WeeRussell]

Boy on question time just described the choice to take the vaccination or not as the “ultimate first world problem”.

Quite liked that.

[CropleyWasGod]

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https://twitter.com/stvnews/status/1...556636672?s=21

Next coronavirus variant ‘could be worse than Omicron’, says Leitch.

“It will be the next normal, it won’t be the same as it was pre-Covid,” he said.

The article itself doesn't reflect the soundbite headline, though.

The next variant will be pi. Much easier.

[Sir David Gray]

Covid-related absences in the NHS are at their highest levels since April 2020, the month after the first virus case was confirmed in Scotland.

Official figures show about 50,200 NHS staff were off work in the week to 11 January.

The record absence level remains the first week of April 2020, when more than 65,000 NHS staff were absent.

The numbers have soared due to the rapid transmission of the Omicron variant and the strict isolation rules.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59988292

[oconnors_strip]

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Covid-related absences in the NHS are at their highest levels since April 2020, the month after the first virus case was confirmed in Scotland.

Official figures show about 50,200 NHS staff were off work in the week to 11 January.

The record absence level remains the first week of April 2020, when more than 65,000 NHS staff were absent.

The numbers have soared due to the rapid transmission of the Omicron variant and the strict isolation rules.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59988292

I will be in the stats for this week, just did a lateral flow as per guidance and it’s positive 🤦🏼 Thought it was a cold- runny/blocked nose and swollen tonsils. Praying I don’t get a fever as this could cause my epilepsy to worsen.

[Sir David Gray]

John Swinney has said he doesn’t understand “the fuss” around vaccine passports.

Speaking before the Covid-19 Recovery Committee on Thursday, the deputy first minister said: “The vaccine certification scheme works well.

“I fail to understand what the fuss is about it. I think it’s a completely reasonable request for us to make.”

https://news.stv.tv/politics/swinney...cine-passports

[Sir David Gray]

Welsh Covid restrictions on large events and businesses brought in to tackle the Omicron variant will be scrapped in two weeks under new plans.

It follows mounting pressure from opposition parties demanding an exit plan, and falling case numbers.

Rules limiting outdoor activities will be lifted first.

The Welsh government said the success of the booster campaign meant it was able to lift restrictions, with 1.8 million having received an extra dose.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-59984873

[Sir David Gray]

Spain seeking to ‘lead’ world with new Covid-19 monitoring system.

The Health Ministry is finalizing a coronavirus surveillance plan that will mirror the one used for the flu, but a leading WHO official and two primary healthcare associations have expressed reservations.

The Spanish Health Ministry wants the ongoing sixth wave of the coronavirus pandemic in the country to be the last that is managed using the indicators that have been in place since the crisis began. Speaking on Wednesday, Health Minister Carolina Darias told reporters that with a largely vaccinated population, and variants such as omicron that appear to be much milder, “it is necessary to evaluate a new Covid monitoring system,” and said that Spain would be seeking to “take the lead” with this debate in international settings.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/english...outputType=amp

[I'm_cabbaged]

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Djokovic to have visa withdrawn by Australian immigration minister according to media reports.

Confirmed now 😂😂

[JimBHibees]

https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...man-with-covid

Absolutely heartbreaking account of the clinical decisions being made.

[Sir David Gray]

Well done, Australia!

Australia has revoked tennis star Novak Djokovic's visa for a second time in a row over his right to remain in the country unvaccinated.

The decision by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke means Djokovic now faces being deported.

However, the 34-year-old Serbian can still launch another legal challenge to remain in the country.

The men's tennis number one was scheduled to play in the Australian Open, which begins on Monday.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-59991762

[Sir David Gray]

BBC Breakfast reporting that Djokovic will either be on a flight out of Australia within the next 3-4 hours or he'll need to lodge a second appeal which could mean that he begins the tournament but if the appeal's not heard until next week he may have to pull out during the tournament!

I actually think Djokovic is the type of character who will fight this decision all the way so I expect this to run a bit longer.

It will also be interesting to see if the Immigration Minister's decision today leads to a longer ban from Australia for Djokovic.

[He's here!]

'Djokovic has nobody to blame but himself. His selfish approach to life has finally caught up with him':

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2...approach-life/

[He's here!]

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BBC Breakfast reporting that Djokovic will either be on a flight out of Australia within the next 3-4 hours or he'll need to lodge a second appeal which could mean that he begins the tournament but if the appeal's not heard until next week he may have to pull out during the tournament!

I actually think Djokovic is the type of character who will fight this decision all the way so I expect this to run a bit longer.

It will also be interesting to see if the Immigration Minister's decision today leads to a longer ban from Australia for Djokovic.

If he had the grace to go quietly I imagine the potential three-year ban would be waived, but as you say he'll no doubt try to stick around like a bad smell. If so he'll have utterly trashed whatever reputation he had left in Australia - and indeed further afield.

[Crunchie]

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I will be in the stats for this week, just did a lateral flow as per guidance and it’s positive 🤦🏼 Thought it was a cold- runny/blocked nose and swollen tonsils. Praying I don’t get a fever as this could cause my epilepsy to worsen.

All the best pal and hope you're like the majority with mild cold like symptoms.

[Crunchie]

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Well done, Australia!

Australia has revoked tennis star Novak Djokovic's visa for a second time in a row over his right to remain in the country unvaccinated.

The decision by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke means Djokovic now faces being deported.

However, the 34-year-old Serbian can still launch another legal challenge to remain in the country.

The men's tennis number one was scheduled to play in the Australian Open, which begins on Monday.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-59991762

I wonder why he was even allowed into the country, he was never going to be allowed to play. There's something very fishy about it all imo.