Your morning Covid briefing as senior Covid adviser leaves Sage warning of ‘relevant’ virus levels

Here are the morning’s coronavirus headlines from Wednesday, November 3, as a senior Covid adviser resigns with one final warning about virus levels in the UK.

One of the government’s top coronavirus science advisers resigned as he warned coronavirus infection rates across the country were “concerning.”

Sir Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust, left the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) at the end of October, he confirmed in a statement.

He said Sage provided scientific advice to the government often under “enormous pressure”.

His warning comes as the worldwide death toll from Covid-19 surpassed five million on Tuesday, November 2.

The latest figures from Public Health Wales (PHW) released on Tuesday November 2, covering 24 hours until 9 a.m. on November 1, showed that the total number of Covid-related deaths in Wales is now rising at 6,177.

There were also 2,210 new positive cases recorded in today’s update, bringing the total number since the start of the pandemic to 445,163.

In addition, the latest seven-day infection rate in Wales based on cases per 100,000 people (for the seven days through October 28) now stands at 548.2 . The good news is that this is a drop from the 558.9 reported on Monday and a sixth consecutive day that rates have fallen.

Senior Covid Advisor Leaves Sage Amid Warning Over ‘Regarding’ Virus Levels

A spokesperson for the Government Office for Science said: “We can confirm that Sir Jeremy has withdrawn from the activation of Covid Sage and thank him for his contribution from the very beginning of the activation.

“Sage continues to provide the government with independent expert scientific and technical advice.

But Labor said the move was a “serious blow that reveals the level of concern over the government’s mismanagement of the pandemic”.

In a statement, Sir Jeremy said he was stepping down to focus on his work at the Wellcome Trust health research foundation.

However, he said: “The Covid-19 crisis is far from over, with the global situation deeply troubling.

“The high levels of transmission seen in the UK remain a concern, but I resigned as a Sage participant knowing that ministers had received most of the key science advice needed over the winter months.

MP to introduce bill calling for ‘triple lockdown’ to prevent school closures

MPs must have a vote in parliament to approve any new school closures in the wake of the Covid-19 closures “catastrophe”, a senior conservative said.

Robert Halfon, chairman of the Commons Education Committee, said the closures during the coronavirus pandemic “have struck a hammer on the education and well-being of students.”

The MP for Harlow added that their “doomsday” effect has threatened the future of millions of students across the country.

Mr Halfon’s bill aims to redefine schools and educational institutions as “critical infrastructure”, alongside power plants, hospitals and food retailers, to protect millions of students future closures.

NSPCC worries newborns miss health checks during pandemic

The children’s charity’s concern stems from data that one in five babies (20%) in England in 2020-2021 missed their due health and development check-up between the ages of six to eight weeks.

In addition, almost a quarter (24%) missed their test by a year.

This is an increase from the previous year, where 15% of babies missed their exam by six to eight weeks and 16% of babies missed their exam by 12 months. The charity believes the lack of medical visitors is part of the reason for the drop.

NSPCC’s Vicky Nevin, speaking after the release of official health visitor service delivery figures, said: “We know the first 1,001 days of pregnancy to age two are a milestone. crucial for the healthy development of the child.

“All families in England are entitled to at least five health visits. But even before the pandemic many checks were missed and the number of people visiting health has seen a drastic drop since 2015.”

She added, “Many new parents with mental health issues may find it difficult to seek help. Without regular home visits across the country, there is a risk that important needs will not be met.

Ms Nevin said public health funding was needed to train and recruit 3,000 health visitors over three years.

Unpaid caregivers plunged into poverty

Three in ten unpaid caregivers struggle to make ends meet, while more than half worry about their finances, according to a study.

Providing unpaid care pushes thousands of families into poverty and will have a lasting impact on their finances and quality of life, Carers UK has warned.

More than half (52%) of unpaid caregivers surveyed by the charity said they feel anxious or stressed about their finances, while 31% struggle to make ends meet and 24% say not having enough to cover their monthly expenses.

Worryingly, more than a third (36%) of caregivers said their financial situation had deteriorated during the coronavirus pandemic.

One respondent told the charity: “One of my most important jobs is to keep juggling money, bills and moving things around so that we can fend for ourselves.”

Another said: “I have no luxuries, I cannot afford life insurance, auto insurance or home insurance.

“At 60, I shouldn’t go to food banks and feel inadequate because I can’t afford gas.”

The report said: “Caregivers of all income brackets worry about the impact of care on their finances and the impact of care on their ability to save.

It comes as unpaid caregivers increased their hours during the pandemic as services were constrained and remain reduced.

Carers UK Managing Director Helen Walker said unpaid caregivers have supported the health and care system for years “at a tremendous cost” to their own health and finances and now “desperately” “need support.

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Dutch government continues to increase Covid-19 measures

The Dutch government is reinstating the order to wear face masks in public places such as shops and libraries and makes mandatory an extension of the use of Covid-19 passes amid a sharp rise in coronavirus cases.

Covid-19 cases have been increasing rapidly in the Netherlands for weeks and the country’s public health institute reported on Tuesday that confirmed infections had risen by 39% from the previous week and that admissions to the hospital were up 31%.

The upward trend began shortly after the government lifted most of the remaining foreclosure restrictions in late September.

“It will come as no surprise that we have a harsh message again this evening,” Dutch interim Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at a nationally televised press conference.

“Hard because unfortunately we have to ask for more people now that the number of infections and the number of hospitals are increasing rapidly.”

Mr Rutte also urged people to socially distance themselves, work from home at least half the time, and avoid going to high-traffic areas and during morning and evening rush hours.

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