Same here Pixie, but apart from seeing more of my daughter and her hubby, I’m not doing much different than I did during lockdown, and at this time, I won’t be changing my routine, regardless of what Boris says…
A third of England still at risk of infection from delta variant, government adviser warns
Professor Matt Keeling, from the University of Warwick and a member of Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (Spi-M), which informs ministers, said by July 19, there will have been 15,300,000 symptomatic and asymptomatic infections in the country.
This means that 27.4% of the English population will have been infected and therefore have natural immunity, leaving the rest either vaccinated or unvaccinated.
When taking account of vaccines, which do not work perfectly, the modellers at Warwick calculated that 33% of the population remains susceptible to the Delta variant, which was first identified in India.
Prof Keeling told a briefing:
How rising hospitalisation rates have panicked the Prime Minister
The latest Sage papers, dated July 7 and published on Monday, also make for grim reading. Their central message is this: July 19 could be a stepping stone to normality or an unmitigated disaster – everything will hinge on how people across the country react.
“The scale of the resurgence in hospital admissions after 19th July is highly uncertain and depends on unknowable factors including how behaviours change in the coming weeks and months,” say the latest documents.
Modelling from the University of Warwick, also published Monday, underlines this point. If the nation very gradually returns to its pre-pandemic level of contacts over a period of about seven months, then hospital admissions will range from about 500 to 950 a day.
But if Freedom Day inspires the sort of big bang seen in Holland, hospitalisations could range between 1,300 to 4,800 a day, which at the upper level is close to the January peak.
“The peak of the resurgence will be much lower if the return to pre-pandemic behaviours is gradual,” said Sage. “Maintaining interventions such as more people working from home, the use of masks in crowded indoor spaces, and increasing ventilation, would contribute to transmission reduction and therefore reduce the number of hospitalisations.”
I imagine that, for most of us, it will be a case of “as you were” rather than “go bonkers” on so-called Freedom Day … :!:
A further 36,660 confirmed cases in the UK were announced by the government on Tuesday … :shock:
That’s 236,076 in the last 7 days … :!:
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/downloads/homepage/2021-07-13/thumbnail_newCasesByPublishDate.svg
Hospitalisation rates are still on the increase, too (as of 7/7)
Daily 564 Last 7 days 3,236
Will 19 July unlocking gamble pay off or backfire?
Infection rates were always going to rise at this stage of the roadmap - more mixing means it is easier for the virus to spread. Were we to wait any longer, there is a risk the peak of infections this summer wave could be pushed to the autumn, which could make things worse with flu and other viruses circulating.
However, government scientists have been questioning the policy on face masks, in particular, after ministers made big play last week of the fact mask-wearing would no longer be legally required. Not because it will dramatically alter the course of rising infections, but because of the message it sent out - that controlling infection no longer mattered.
This has led to a definite change of approach in recent days. Ministers are now stressing the need to keep wearing masks in crowded indoor places.
The reason is clear from the results of the latest modelling to be released. It looked at the impact of people returning almost immediately to normal behaviour, and compared it with a gradual resumption over months.
A graphic illustration of two possible responses to Freedom Day:
https://i.ibb.co/ZNqdckh/Outcomes.jpg
To put those summer figures into context, hospitals would expect to see about 1,000 admissions a day in the depths of winter, for all types of respiratory infections.
Time will tell … 
We have had our Curfew Stopped in my Region which is South Deux Sevres.
We have not changed though. Still doing what is necessary only. Doctors and Hospital Appointments, Shopping for Food and the odd essential item.
Nobody is welcome to my house right now.
Had to have the Nurse call as I have regular blood tests for a few things. One being I have Hashimoto’s Disease, which is actually fairly common about 1% of the population, it is hereditary… each of us, it can affect us differently. I make Anti Bodies, so having the Covid19 Vaccine was quite a big deal for me, did put it off for a few weeks…Now just had my 2nd Jab with no bad symptoms whats so ever.
My Twin Son is still suffering from the so called long covid, it’s 8 months since he fell down with it. He actually came on a video link during his 1st day of illness. That I will never forget. very very scary to say the least…
My twin daughter went down with it also around Xmas, but made a very quick recovery and she is having some more Chemo at the present time, so that was one big relief how her immune fought if off…
All just hits home, how we need to keep our distances still…
I’m sorry to hear that your family’s fallen victim to the COVID scourge … 
I wish you all well … 
UK records 42,302 Covid cases in worst day for six months
It is the highest daily figure since January 15.
A further 42,302 confirmed cases in the UK were announced by the government on Wednesday … :shock:
That’s 245,830 in the last 7 days (416,158 in the last 14 days) … :!:
Covid app alerts sent to 500,000 in a week - up 46%
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-57846210
A total of 520,194 alerts were sent in the week to 7 July, telling individuals they had been in close contact with someone who had tested positive for coronavirus.
This is up from 356,677 the previous week - a jump of 46% - and is the highest weekly figure since data was first published in January.
Nissan plant sees 10% of workforce told to self-isolate
The high number of people being sent alerts by the NHS Test and Trace app has hit production at Nissan’s Sunderland car plant after hundreds of staff were told to isolate.
It is understood that some 700 workers have been sent home from the plant, about 10% of the total workforce.
Case numbers in the local area have been rising sharply, meaning that it has been difficult to avoid disruption, according to sources within the firm.
The city, in north-east England, had 955 Covid cases per 100,000 people in the week to 10 July.
Anyone alerted by the app who has come into close contact with an infected person is told to self-isolate for 10 days.
Chaos in the car factory … :!:
A further 48,553 confirmed cases in the UK were announced by the government on Thursday … :shock:
That’s 261,832 in the last 7 days … :!:
Way back in November, we were shocked at the infections rate but, now, we’ve already passed that:
Covid infections have risen again in much of the UK, say experts from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Latest data from swab tests in the community suggests in England, where Covid rules are due to be dropped, one in every 95 people has the virus.
That is up from one in every 160 in the previous week.
In Scotland, estimates suggest one in every 90 people is infected, while in Northern Ireland it is one in 290 and in Wales it is one in 360.
The more infectious Delta variant accounts for almost every case.
The data suggest that just over 650,000 people, or 1% of the population in the UK, would test positive for coronavirus in the week to 10 July - up from 400,000 people the previous week.
The ONS says the percentage of people testing positive has “continued to increase” in England and Scotland, whereas the “trend is uncertain” in Wales and Northern Ireland.
More from ONS later in the month, no doubt … 
Neighbours ‘pinged’ through walls by NHS Covid app
Some people are being forced to self-isolate for 10 days despite never having come into face-to-face contact with a positive Covid case.
According to sources close to the Test and Trace app team, the Bluetooth signal used is known to be strong enough to penetrate walls.
That is understood to have been raised as a concern in the initial stages of building the technology – now being reviewed amid concerns it is too sensitive – although Whitehall sources said on Thursday that any changes would not be made for some weeks.
It means people are being forced into isolation because a neighbour whose home they share a wall with has fallen ill.
A government spokesman would not say how many people were believed to have been pinged through walls, but insisted the number was not large enough to be considered “an issue”. The spokesman added: “But we wouldn’t say that this never happens.” NHS guidance says the Bluetooth signal is reduced through walls rather than blocked entirely, with people on the other side “less likely” to receive an alert.
Chaos in the terraces … 
I read in the Independent today that if Boris proceeds with this free for all, then there will be more lockdowns. Can’t link the article as its gone now, but scientists are really worried about Monday
Hi
The Queen Elizabeth in Birmingham has now cancelled all operations due to Covid Admissions.
Boris is a cynical git.
A very dangerous and ruthless man behind his facade.
No10 will ‘of course’ look at reintroducing lockdown if Covid spreads
Solicitor General Lucy Frazer warned that No10 may be left with no choice but to consider reimposing tough restrictions.
Ms Frazer said: ‘Of course, if we get into a situation where it is unacceptable and we do need to put back further restrictions, then that of course is something the Government will look at.’
BJ may well bluff and bluster but, if, as soon as he “opens up” social contact, there are are more infections than ever and a million or more people are taking sick leave from work, bringing the economy to crisis point (again) then he will have to retrace his steps (again) … :shock:
Indeed … he only cares about himself … :!:
A further 51,870 confirmed cases in the UK were announced by the government on Thursday … :shock:
That’s 277,995 in the last 7 days … :!:
The 50k milestone … 
The highest number of daily cases the UK has recorded so far is 68,053 on 8 January - there is no doubt that the UK will record more than that in the next few days … 
Hospitalisations rising sharply:
Latest data provided on 12 July 2021
Daily 717 Last 7 days 4,141
Patients on ventilation 551
Metropolitan Tube line is SUSPENDED and Piccadilly and District lines are partially closed due to shortage of control room staff after they were ‘pinged’ by NHS Covid app
Richard Jones, London Underground’s head of network operations, said: 'Due to a shortage of control room staff who are having to self-isolate following notification this morning via the Test and Trace app, there will be no service on the Metropolitan line for the rest of the day.
'This will also impact the Piccadilly line with no service between South Harrow and Uxbridge and no service on the District line between High Street Kensington and Edgware.
'Services are expected to resume on the Piccadilly and District lines at 9pm this evening.
‘We apologise to customers for the disruption. London Underground tickets will be accepted on local bus services.’
The suspension comes after warnings to the Government over a ‘surge’ in workers and medics being forced into self-isolation over coronavirus contacts when most restrictions end in England on Monday.
A foretaste of the future … :?:
A further 54,674 confirmed cases in the UK were announced by the government on Saturday … :shock:
That’s 300,302 in the last 7 days … :!:
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/downloads/homepage/2021-07-17/thumbnail_newCasesByPublishDate.svg
Hospitalisations rising sharply:
Latest data provided on 12 July 2021
Daily 740 Last 7 days 4,313
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/downloads/homepage/2021-07-17/thumbnail_newAdmissions.svg
Thank God for the Vaccines is what I say…