COVID-19 GOVERNMENT PRESS CONFERENCE SUMMARY 26.01.2021
WHO WAS ON TODAY’S PANEL?
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson; Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty; and NHS England Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens.
UPDATE ON COVID-19 INFECTIONS AND DEATHS
Total UK deaths are up to 100,162, with 1,631 new deaths recorded today.
UPDATE ON VACCINATION ROLLOUT PROGRAMME
6,853,327 have received their first dose, 472,446 have had completed dose.
GENERAL SUMMARY OF POINTS RAISED BY THE PANEL
- PM is “full of sorrow” over the total number of deaths and admits to accepting “full responsibility” for the deaths
- PM says he could exhaust a thesaurus as to how sorry he is but there are improvements in the test and trace system
- PM promises the nation will come together to commemorate all the lives lost
- Sir Simon states that the more infections there are, the more likely the death rate will increase
- Prof Whitty says infection rates are still very high although there are some signs of levelling off
- Prof Whitty has defended the extended gap between vaccine doses as certain studies show the longer the gap, the higher the efficacy of the vaccine
- Sir Simon stated along with the vaccines, there are effective treatments in use to treat patients, including the trial of some anti-viral medicines to combat the the virus
FINAL NOTES
For more info about the stats and the rules around the current coronavirus restrictions. Please check out the gov.uk website here.
Finally, a gentle reminder from us. If you or anybody close to you is struggling. Please make use of the given information below.
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As we enter #lockdown please remember, you are not alone! If you need to talk, you might find these helpful:
— Temporary Inspector Milnes (@SYP_CMilnes) January 5, 2021
📞 Samaritans 116 123
📞 Mind 0300 123 3393
📞 Calm 0800 58 58 58
📞 Women’s Aid 0808 2000 247
📞 Age UK 0800 678 1602
📞 Childline 0800 1111
📞 YoungMinds 0800 018 2138
Here To Help: Mental Health Charities Near You, Manchester & Liverpool
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