Looks like the infection rates and deaths for the UK are going up again, this is not boding well for Christmas…
Coronavirus: Germany to go into hard lockdown over Christmas
Germany is to go into a hard lockdown over the Christmas period, from 16 December to 10 January, as the number of deaths and infections from the coronavirus reaches record levels. The latest figures showed 20,200 more infections and a further 321 deaths*. Non-essential shops will close across the country from Wednesday, as will schools, with children to be cared for at home wherever possible.
* Similar to that of the UK.
While governments try to keep economies moving, people will move too, and so will the virus … 
Covid data for Monday, 14 December 2020
Global Cases: 72,644,125
Increase: 540,440
Global Deaths: 1,618,858
Increase: 7,361
Australia
Cases 28,036 Change: 7
Deaths 908 Change: 0
Critical 1
Cases per Million 1,094
UK
Cases 1,849,403 Change: 18,447
Deaths 64,170 Change: 144
Critical 1,275
Cases per Million 27,178
USA
Cases 16,737,267 Change: 187,901
Deaths 306,459 Change: 1,377
Critical 27,611
Cases per Million 50,432
New Zealand Prime Minister the lovely Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand’s Cabinet has agreed in principle to establish a trans-Tasman bubble with Australia early next year.
It would be conditional on coronavirus case levels staying low and pending approval by the Federal Government.
On the weekend, New Zealand and the Cook Islands announced a similar travel bubble, letting people travel between the two countries without quarantine.
New Zealand’s decision to allow a travel bubble with Australia follows Queensland’s decision last week to open its border to the country.
Covid data for Tuesday, 15 December 2020
Global Cases: 73,190,418
Increase: 546,293
Global Deaths: 1,627,900
Increase: 9,042
Australia
Cases 28,045 Change: 9
Deaths 908 Change: 0
Critical 1
Cases per Million 1,094
UK
Cases 1,869,666 Change: 20,263
Deaths 64,402 Change: 232
Critical 1,275
Cases per Million 27,476
USA
Cases 16,942,822 Change: 205,555
Deaths 308,089 Change: 1,630
Critical 27,862
Cases per Million 51,050
European nations tighten restrictions ahead of Christmas
A number of European countries have tightened coronavirus restrictions ahead of Christmas following a surge of infections in recent weeks.
The Netherlands has entered a five-week lockdown, with non-essential shops, theatres and gyms all closing.
Germany will enter a hard lockdown from Wednesday after the number of infections there hit record levels.
Italy’s daily death toll is still close to 500 and the government is considering a further tightening of measures over Christmas.
The exact details are unclear, but a new lockdown could come into place between Christmas night and New Year. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte described the potential lockdown as a “new squeeze”.
Spain has also seen a rebound in infections, and top health official Fernando Simón has warned of a “delicate” situation ahead of Christmas.
Covid data for Wednesday, 16 December 2020
Global Cases: 73,803,623
Increase: 613,205
Global Deaths: 1,641,452
Increase: 13,552
Australia
Cases 28,056 Change: 11
Deaths 908 Change: 0
Critical 1
Cases per Million 1,094
UK
Cases 1,888,116 Change: 18,450
Deaths 64,908 Change: 506
Critical 1,288
Cases per Million 27,746
USA
Cases 17,143,779 Change: 200,957
Deaths 311,068 Change: 2,979
Critical 28,305
Cases per Million 51,655
about time
Long lines of people are queuing outside a COVID-19 testing clinic in Sydney’s Northern Beaches after two mystery cases were confirmed yesterday.
Yesterday’s two cases in Sydney’s north came just hours after a van driver who transports international airline staff to Sydney Airport tested positive for the virus. There is no suggestion the infection are linked.
There have been just two local cases of coronavirus in NSW since November 7
There is a sight irony here - the first quick Covid test invented and made here will not be available in this country. They will be turning out 200000 kits a day for sale in the USA and later Europe. it gives the result within 20 minutes and is 96% accurate.
You’re welcome 
Covid data for Thursday, 17 December 2020
Global Cases: 74,530,144
Increase: 726,521
Global Deaths: 1,655,114
Increase: 13,662
Australia
Cases 28,071 Change: 15
Deaths 908 Change: 0
Critical
Cases per Million 1,095
UK
Cases 1,913,277 Change: 25,161
Deaths 65,520 Change: 612
Critical 1,326
Cases per Million 28,116
USA
Cases 17,392,618 Change: 248,839
Deaths 314,577 Change: 3,509
Critical 28,325
Cases per Million 52,404
How things can change almost in an instant! It’s a bit of a shock.
Sorry to hear that Bruce, I hope it can be nipped in the bud.
The figures for the UK seem to be getting worse recently. I don’t think the lax attitude to Christmas shopping is doing us any favours at all. We seem to be between a rock and a hard place at the moment…
That’s a shock Bruce, Australia was doing so well too.
Just goes to show no-one can ignore the fact that the virus is still around even though the figures may drop.
Let’s hope they shut it down quickly, NSW has been pretty successful at contact tracing and getting on top of out breaks quickly. The strain is from overseas but it is not known exactly where.
Already the state borders are slamming shut again after only just opening. WA to all from NSW, Queensland and Victoria to those from the northern beaches area.
The Premier of NSW has already indicated there will be more cases anounced at the 11am press conference.
Covid data for Friday, 18 December 2020
Global Cases: 75,281,169
Increase: 751,025
Global Deaths: 1,668,356
Increase: 13,242
Australia
Cases 28,092 Change: 21
Deaths 908 Change: 0
Critical 1
Cases per Million 1,096
UK
Cases 1,948,660 Change: 35,383
Deaths 66,052 Change: 532
Critical 1,340
Cases per Million 28,635
USA
Cases 17,626,770 Change: 234,152
Deaths 317,928 Change: 3,351
Critical 28,206
Cases per Million 53,108
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
hgttps://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/6079396/dan-wooton-sturgeon-covid-terror/
Fair comment in this article.
The risk of the government continuing to use fear to guarantee complicity when it comes to the new rules is that the consequences of that approach could last for a generation.
Covid data for Saturday, 19 December 2020
Global Cases: 76,007,026
Increase: 725,857
Global Deaths: 1,681,079
Increase: 12,723
Australia
Cases 28,126 Change: 34
Deaths 908 Change: 0
Critical
Cases per Million 1,097
UK
Cases 1,977,167 Change: 28,507
Deaths 66,541 Change: 489
Critical 1,340
Cases per Million 29,054
USA
Cases 17,888,353 Change: 261,583
Deaths 320,845 Change: 2,917
Critical 28,011
Cases per Million 53,896
I was looking at the figures this morning and realised the USA will probably have more deaths from Covid early next year than they experienced for the whole of WWII!
I think they lost about 400000 people in the war (You can correct me on that) they are already at about 330000 deaths from Covid and running at 3000 deaths per day. At that rate they should get 70000 more deaths in 23 days assuming it doesn’t increase further. A vaccine won’t change that.
I realise that is a back of the envelope calculation but it does show how dire the situation can become in a first world country. This virus is awful and taking a severe toll - getting close to 2 million dead worldwide.
The Boxing Day Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race was cancelled today as Tasmania closes its border to people from NSW. This northern beaches cluster is still not under control patint zero has not been found though they do know the strain came from the USA they don’t know how it got into the community.
The quarantine rules for air crew have been tightened they must now stay as specific hotels under police guard after 13 Brazilian crew were fined for breaking quarantine
Covid data for Sunday, 20 December 2020
Global Cases: 76,620,145
Increase: 613,119
Global Deaths: 1,691,772
Increase: 10,693
Australia
Cases 28,168 Change: 42
Deaths 908 Change: 0
Critical
Cases per Million 1,099
UK
Cases 2,004,219 Change: 27,052
Deaths 67,075 Change: 534
Critical 1,364
Cases per Million 29,451
USA
Cases 18,077,768 Change: 189,415
Deaths 323,401 Change: 2,556
Critical 27,963
Cases per Million 54,465