27th October – Coronavirus News Updates

UK STATISTICS

Total UK Cases: 8,853,227 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 40,954 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 8,693
New deaths across UK: 263
Total UK deaths: 139,834
England Cases per 100,000: 487.4
R number in UK: 1.1 to 1.2

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 49,753,040 – 86.5% of UK aged 12+
Total 2^nd doses: 45,582,890 – 79.3%
Daily 1^st doses: 37,809
Daily 2nd doses: 21,446

Latest Cheshire East data:

Total Cheshire East cases: 49,510
New cases in past 7 days: 2,332 to 17 Oct
Total deaths: 870
Cases per 100,000: 603.1
R number in North West: 1.1 to 1.2

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 1.0 to 1.2 and the growth rate range for England is -1% to +2% per day as of 22 October 2021

UK NEWS UPDATES:

Chancellor: UK economy ‘back on track‘ despite Covid
Millions of public sector workers are in line for a pay rise, with the announcement from Chancellor Rishi Sunak that the UK economy is “firmly back on track” despite the pandemic. Sunak will confirm the year-long public sector pay freeze is set to be lifted in his Budget statement tomorrow. The move will affect workers including teachers, nurses, police and armed forces personnel. The chancellor had “paused” public sector pay rises for 2021/22, with the exception of the NHS and those earning less than £24,000, after borrowing during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sunak says it is “right” that frontline workers will “see their wages rise” with the economy bouncing back after the lifting of virus restrictions.

Health Secretary: “People can expect a normal Christmas”
People can expect Christmas to be “normal”, the Health Secretary has said, as he urged people to have their Covid-19 vaccines. Sajid Javid said no “sensible health secretary across the world would want to predict exactly where we’re going to be in three months’ time, or six months’ time”, as there was a risk of new variants posing a problem. He told BBC Breakfast: “For all those people like me that are hoping and planning for a normal Christmas – which I do by the way, I think that’s where we’ll be, we’ll have a normal Christmas – if we want, let’s just keep playing our part.”

Are Covid cases about to plummet without Plan B?

Covid cases have been rising and health professionals have been among those calling for stricter Plan B measures to be introduced as pressure mounts on the NHS. But the recent rise in infections appears to have slowed and maybe starting to drop in England. This comes as modelling done for the government suggests cases and deaths could soon start to fall dramatically. So are cases about to plummet without the need to introduce Plan B?

Heathrow loses £3.4bn since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic
The holding company for Heathrow airport has announced its Q3 results for 2021.
In Q3, Heathrow experienced its first full quarter of passenger growth since 2019, underscoring strong pent-up demand as travel restrictions eased and testing requirements were simplified. Passenger numbers in Q3 recovered to 28 per cent, and cargo to 90 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. However, traffic is not expected to fully recover until at least 2026. According to the results, airports have very high fixed costs and despite over 30 per cent reduction in operating costs, Heathrow has lost £3.4bn cumulatively since the start of the pandemic and remains loss making today.

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:

Director of Public Health urges residents to mask up as Covid-19 rates soar in Cheshire East
Latest government figures show the infection rate in the borough to be at 603 cases per 100,000, significantly above the North-west and England average.

Report predicts North-West will benefit from growth of science and technology economy
A major study on the health and outlook of the UK’s science and technology economy has forecast the creation of 365,000 jobs by 2050 because of the UK’s transition to Net Zero – more than in any other industry (65% of the total), with the North-West seeing the most new roles of any UK region.
The Market Spotlight report, from Bruntwood SciTech, estimated the economic benefits from this growth in the science and technology sectors would be worth £35bn to UK GVA by 2050, which is the UK’s statutory target year to become net zero, and £10.9bn over the 2020’s. Most jobs will be created in specific sectors, such as the production of electric vehicles (96,000), the production of electrical equipment (69,000), and science and technology design and R&D (54,000).

Cheshire firms urged to sign up for final Peer Networks cohort
The programme allows SME owners and leaders to come together and help support each other to grow and develop their organisations.

National award for scams awareness project
The Older People Scams Awareness and Aftercare Project has been recognised for its positive impact with a CTSI Brian Smith Individual Heroes Award.

SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:

COMMUNITY:

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

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.

How to do a coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow test at home
Find out how to do a rapid lateral flow test for COVID-19 and report the results. Rapid tests are only for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 – added information about ordering a rapid lateral flow test and how to do an MP Biomedicals rapid nose-only test. Added Dari and Pashto translated guides.

COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test kit instructions: MP Biomedicals
How to do an MP Biomedicals rapid nose-only test for COVID-19 and report the results. This test is only for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19.

CONSTRUCTION:

The latest Glenigan Construction Review video shows that the industry’s development pipeline remains strong, with both planning approvals and contract awards up against pre-pandemic levels. And while project starts have slowed overall, there are bright spots, with the office sector in particular showing significant growth. Watch the video now to learn how the sectors and regions you’re working in are performing and to see the detail behind the numbers, download the free Glenigan Construction Review now.

EDUCATION:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for education or work placements overseas
Find out what you’ll need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak when planning education and work placements abroad.

HEALTH & WELLBEING:

Two million in England to be invited for Covid booster
Two million people who are eligible for a Covid-19 booster vaccination will receive their invitation from the NHS this week. NHS England said more than five million people have already been given the additional jab since the vaccination programme began administering them last month. Anyone who receives a text or letter inviting them for a booster shot is urged to take up the offer as soon as possible.
The NHS is following guidance that boosters should be delivered at least six months after the second dose, with current evidence suggesting this is the best time to increase immunity to Covid-19. Messages will come from NHSvaccine and will include a link to the NHS website.

Deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 15 October 2021
Provisional counts of the number of deaths registered in England and Wales, in the latest weeks for which data are available.

PROPERTY:

The housing market is on track to record its strongest year since 2007 for transactions and house price inflation says Zoopla.
The portal says an imbalance of supply and demand is continuing to support UK house price growth, which is currently running at 6.6 per cent with all countries and regions of the UK registering growth rates well ahead of the five-year annual average with the exception of London. House price growth is expected to be three per cent by the end of 2022 with the highest growth projected for the East Midlands and North West England while growth in London is projected to remain low at 2.0 per cent.
The outlook for house price inflation and overall sales volumes is expected to be a balance of positive and negative influences in 2022. With regards to 2022, as the UK emerges from the impact of the pandemic, housing transactions are expected to decline by 20 per cent from their high of 1.5m in 2021, to 1.2m in 2022.

TRAVEL:

New rules for air travel to the US
As the US prepares to reopen its borders, new restrictions have been announced for those wishing to travel the country. Proof of vaccination against Covid-19 or a negative Covid test are among the rules outlined by the White House before they come into effect on 8 November. The US is adopting “an air travel policy that relies primarily on vaccination to advance the safe resumption of international air travel to the United States,” a proclamation signed by President Joe Biden says.
Summary of updates to international travel, October 2021
Changes made to international travel rules during October 2021.

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