22nd December – Coronavirus News Updates

UK STATISTICS

There have been over 11.5 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and sadly over 147,000 people have died, government figures show. More than 51 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, 89.6% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. 81.9% have had their second and almost 52% have had a booster.

Total UK Cases: 11,542,143 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 90,629 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 7,579
New deaths across UK: 172
Total UK deaths: 146,937
England Cases per 100,000: 803
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 51,537,827 – 89.6% of UK aged 12+
Total 2^nd doses: 81.9%
Daily 1^st doses: 39,793
Daily 2nd doses: 50,938
Daily Booster doses: 897,979

Latest Cheshire East data:

Total Cheshire East cases: 64,142
New cases in past 7 days: 2,598 to 17 Dec
Total deaths: 915
Cases per 100,000: 672

Coronavirus cases in the UK: daily updated statistics
The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests, cases and deaths in the UK. The way deaths are reported is based on a 28-day limit between the date of a positive lab-confirmed test and date of death.

Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Slides, datasets and transcripts from press conferences at 10 Downing Street in response to coronavirus

COVID-19: background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features – updated with latest global case numbers.

The R value and growth rate
The R range for England is 0.9 to 1.1 and the growth rate range for England is -1% to +2% per day as of 10 December 2021.

UK NEWS UPDATES:

Booster at least 80% effective against severe Omicron
UK researchers have analysed the likely impact that a Covid booster shot will have on Omicron and say it could provide around 85% protection against severe illness.

The protection is a bit less than vaccines gave against earlier versions of Covid.

But it means the top-up dose should keep many people out of hospital.

The modelling, from the team at Imperial College London, is based on limited information on Omicron.

Firms ask for clarity over Christmas restrictions
Hospitality and entertainment firms are demanding more clarity from the government on whether there will be more Covid restrictions in England in the coming days. Boris Johnson did not announce any new measures after two hours of cabinet discussions on Monday but said data was being reviewed “hour by hour”.

Sport in Wales goes behind closed doors
Spectators will be banned from sports events in Wales from 26 December to try to control the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. The Welsh government says the ban will apply to all indoor, outdoor, professional and community sports events, with a £3m Spectator Sports Fund available to support clubs and venues.

WHO urges caution over holiday events
The World Health Organization is urging people to cancel some of their holiday plans to protect public health as the Omicron variant spreads globally. “An event cancelled is better than a life cancelled,” says WHO head Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, adding “difficult decisions” must be made.

Fake Covid passes advertised online
With people required to prove their vaccination status in order to access some venues or avoid self-isolation after travelling abroad, the BBC has found posts on social media, including Facebook, offering false certification to the unvaccinated. Facebook says it will remove the content “whenever we find it”.

COVID-19: Omicron daily overview
An overview and summary of case data for Omicron focusing on confirmed and SGTF cases in the UK.

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:

Business confidence rises ahead of Omicron
Business confidence in the North-West rose at the start of December – but now companies are waiting nervously to see how the Omicron variant will impact them. The latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking saw business confidence in the region rise 14 points in December to a positive balance of 48%. Companies reported optimism about their own prospects and about the health of the economy overall. The barometer sees 1,200 businesses polled monthly and aims to provide early signals of UK economic trends. The latest survey captured responses between November 26 and December 10. The first cases of Omicron were detected in the UK on November 27. Despite growing fears over Omicron, a net balance of 39% of businesses in the North-West expected to increase staff levels over the next year – up seven points on last month.

SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:

BUSINESS:

Pay Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grants back
Find out how to pay all or some of your grant back, make a voluntary repayment or what you need to do if you have not paid your staff enough after claiming the grant – added section ‘If you need more time to work out what you owe’.

European Structural and Investment Funds: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response
A series of documents and updates regarding the 2014 to 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Programme and the response to COVID-19 – updated the European Regional Development Fund 2014 to 2020 Programme: Questions and Answers on COVID-19 response.

Test and Trace Support Payment scheme: claiming financial support
Who can claim the support and how to apply – updated guidance to reflect changes to self-isolation exemptions.

COMMUNITY:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR home test kit instructions
Find out how to do a PCR test for COVID-19 at home and check if you need to register a test kit – updated to reflect that some test kits are already registered.

Finding and choosing a private coronavirus (COVID-19) test provider
Lists of and information about private test providers, to help you get the private COVID-19 tests you need – updated the general list of providers.

COVID-19 test validation approved products
Find out which COVID-19 test products have been approved.

DVLA Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Find out the date of applications we are processing and how to access our online services – update to processing times.

CONSTRUCTION:

Glenigan Construction Review optimistic for 2022
The latest Glenigan Construction Review shows that although project-starts continued to decline during the three months to November, a recovery in 2022 is now more certain as the value of main contract awards rose by 46% compared to the previous three months. And the year-on-year view is just as promising as contract awards on projects over £100m were 75% higher, and awards on projects under £100m were 38% higher than last year.

EDUCATION:

General Qualifications Alternative Awarding Framework
Regulatory requirements for awarding organisations offering specific general qualifications in 2021 in the context of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

HEALTHCARE & WELLBEING:

COVID-19 vaccine: estimated coverage for people aged 18 and over
Daily number and percentage of the UK population aged 18 and over who have received a first dose, second dose or third or booster dose to date.

COVID-19 vaccination: information for healthcare practitioners
Guidance for healthcare practitioners about the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme.

Regulatory approval of Lagevrio (molnupiravir)
Information for healthcare professionals and the public about Lagevrio – Public Assessment Report for Lagevrio published.

COVID-19: reported SARS-CoV-2 deaths in England
Monthly report presenting the latest data on COVID-19 mortality in England in people with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 – added monthly update: report and data.

LEGAL:

Making and registering an LPA during the coronavirus outbreak
If you want to make an LPA now, you can as long as you follow government guidance on social distancing and self-isolating – content amended to reflect new COVID guidance and simplify overall information

PROPERTY:

Arrears rising as Omicron hits tenant sector
Propertymark says arrears in the private rental sector are rising once again as the Omicron variant continues to push across the country. “Looking towards the sector’s immediate challenge as the pandemic rears its head once again, the unfortunate reality is that we may see an increase in the number of renters falling into arrears. It is therefore vital that vulnerable tenants are adequately supported during this time” explains Propertymark chief executive Nathan Emerson.

RETAIL:

Hobbs swings to full year loss as Covid-19 halves turnover
Hobbs has swung to a full-year loss as its turnover halved thanks to the effects of Covid-19 on trading. Turnover dropped 51% to £65.1 million in the 12 months to 27 March, with the company citing store closures and a drop in demand for its core product categories. Hobbs said it lost 47% of its store trading hours during the year and was “performing well” prior to the pandemic. The London-based retailer made a loss after tax of £15.2 million compared to a profit of £4.3 million a year earlier.

TRANSPORT:

Applying for COVID-19 airport and ground operations funding
Information on applying for COVID-19 funding support for commercial airports and ground handlers in England – third competition announced.

TRAVEL:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents
This is advice for visa customers and applicants in the UK, visa customers outside of the UK and British nationals overseas who need to apply for a passport affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus – updated as the Returning Resident refund concession has now been closed.

Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Check what COVID-19 tests you need to take and the quarantine rules for travel to England – further information about quarantine rules for children aged 4 and under.

Useful links:

Publishing information about your claimsIn January HMRC published the list of employers who claimed under the CJRS for periods from December onwards, on GOV.UK.

Repayment period for Bounce Back Loans extended to ten yearsBusinesses that took out government Bounce Back loans to help them through the Coronavirus crisis now have more time to repay. Companies will be contacted with options to extend the length of the loan from six to 10 years as part of a new ‘pay-as-you-grow’ initiative. The new proposals give businesses three new options:

1. Extending the length of the loan from six years to 10;

2. Making interest-only payments for six months, then repaying the principal on a phased basis with other interest-only periods;

3. Delaying repayments entirely for up to six months.

COVID-19 Winter Plan
The government’s plan for managing COVID-19 through the end of 2020 and into the start of 2021.

Government extends JRS furlough scheme at 80% for period of lockdown
The government has said the furlough scheme, due to have closed on 31^st October, would now be extended until December.

Check if your employer can use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Check which employees you can put on furlough to use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Calculate how much you can claim using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Steps to take before calculating your claim using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Check if you can claim for your employees’ wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

New National Restrictions from 5 November
Information on the new national restrictions, including what they mean for working from home and business closures, why they are being introduced and the financial support available.

Job Retention Bonus (JRB)
Employers are able to claim a one-off payment of £1,000 for every eligible employee furloughed and claimed for through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), kept continuously employed until at least 31 January 2021 and who meets the other eligibility criteria. Claims can be made between 15 February and 31 March.

Become a Green Homes Grant Supplier II – Trustmark and PAS 2030The new Green Homes Grant will give over 600,000 homeowners in England up to £10,000 to install insulation, heat pumps, draft proofing and more to help households cut energy bills.

Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) supports businesses that have been required to close due to temporary COVID-19 local lockdown restrictions imposed by the government.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant extension
The grant is being extended from 1 November 2020. Find out if you’re eligible and how much you can get.

Hospitality venues in England are now legally required to enforce the rule of 6 or face a fine of up to £4,000.
Designated businesses and organisations, including hospitality, close contact services and leisure venues, will also be legally required to log details of customers, visitors and staff for NHS Test and Trace and required to display official NHS QR code posters under law

NHS Test and Trace service in the workplace
Guidance on the NHS Test and Trace service for employers, businesses and workers updated to reflect the new legal requirements for designated venues to collect contact details and display official NHS QR code posters from 24^th September

Claim money back through the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
Find out how to claim the reimbursement for discounts given to diners with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme. The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme closed on 31 August 2020 – the page updated with removal of registration links.

Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.

Kickstart Scheme employer resources
If you’ve been offered Kickstart Scheme funding, you can use these resources to show your support for the scheme.

Kickstart Scheme employer contacts
List of regional contacts for employers applying for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme.

Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak – guidance updated in line with new regulations coming into force on 4 July

Business Survey:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-coronavirus-impact-business-survey/dcms-business-survey-headline-measures

Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund
The Future Fund will provide UK Government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.

Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme set to launch
Employers will be able to make claims through the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme from 26 May.

Government – Guidance on Returning to Work safely
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

Government – Setting out of Road Map to recovery – 11^th May 2020
Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s 60 page COVID-19 recovery strategy
The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy. The strategy sets out a cautious roadmap to easing existing measures in a safe and measured way, subject to successfully controlling the virus and being able to monitor and react to its spread.

Coronavirus Act 2020: status
A table setting out the status of each measure in the Coronavirus Act 2020.

Government – Financial Support
New 100% government backed loan scheme for small business

Government – Financial Support
CBILS – A guide to whether it may be the best options for a business

Government – Financial Support
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – online claims portal open

Government – Business Support:
Government launches new coronavirus business support finder tool

Government – Business Support Hub:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support

Government – Financial Support: HMRC has published guidance on how it will work out income and profits for the self-employed or those in a partnership who have lost profits due to coronavirus.

Government – Business Support:
https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/

Government – Business Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

Government – Financial Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding

Government – Business Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

Bank of England – Financial Support: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2020/march/the-covid-corporate-financing-facility

Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub