UK STATISTICS
There have been 18 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and 161,000 people have died, government figures show. Over 52.5 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, 91% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. Nearly 49 million, 85% have had their second and more than 38 million, 66% have had a booster.
Total UK Cases: 18,773,164 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 38,933 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 11,043
New deaths across UK: 125
Total UK deaths: 161,104
England Cases per 100,000: 422
R number in UK: 0.8-1.0
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 52,598,276 – 91.5% of UK aged 12+
Total 2nd doses: 85%
Daily 1st doses: 8,985
Daily 2nd doses: 17,951
Daily Booster doses: 29,782
The R value and growth rate
The latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The R range for England is 0.8 to 1.0; the growth rate for England is -3% to +0% per day as of 11 February
COVID-19: estimated administrative vaccine uptake for people aged 18 and over
Daily percentage of the UK population aged 18 and over who have received a first dose, second dose, or third or booster dose to date.
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.
Latest Cheshire East data:
Total Cheshire East cases: 109,164
New cases in past 7 days: 1,679 to 19 Feb
Total deaths: 1,029
Cases per 100,000: 434.2
UK NEWS UPDATES:
End of legal need to self-isolate in England
All remaining legal Covid restrictions have been removed in England, nearly two years after the first rules were introduced. It means people are no longer legally required to self-isolate if they test positive for Covid – although they are still advised to do so. The changes are part of the prime minister’s Living with Covid plan, to “transition back to normality”. Some critics say the plan fails to protect the most vulnerable.
COVID-19 Response: Living with COVID-19
The government’s plan for removing the remaining legal restrictions while protecting people most vulnerable to COVID-19 and maintaining resilience.
Boots to sell £5.99 Covid tests as free government tests end
The high street pharmacist will charge online shoppers £5.99 per test or £17 for a pack of four, including delivery. Tests will also be available in more than 400 Boots stores from early March, priced at £2.50 for a single test and £12 for a pack fo five. The move comes after the government yesterday unveiled plans to reduce the number of free tests available for the public from 1 April as part of its ‘living with Covid-19’ strategy.
How retailers delivered peak 2021
Amazon Shipping and Retail Gazette have analysed retail industry peak trading 2021, covering the successes and challenges the sector faced around online delivery in the golden quarter – and what it tells us about the future direction of retail fulfilment. The report takes a deep dive into the comprehensive findings, including which delivery speeds proved most popular in peak 2021, how the shape of peak is changing every year, and what last-mile delivery innovations are expected to be a hit with retailers in the coming years. It’s an event that will help set retailers up as they plan their all-important delivery strategy for the crucial 12 months ahead.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Gene therapy development and manufacturing business expands into Alderley Park
Charles River will take a 17,000 sq ft high-specification lab space at Alderley Park, creating 50 new jobs from apprentices to experienced posts.
Northwest retailer falls into administration
Studio, the company formerly known as Findel, suspended its shares last week after saying its request for a short-term £25 million working capital loan had been turned down by its bank HSBC. Studio counts Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group as its biggest shareholder, with a 28.9 per cent stake. The retailer had about 2.3 million customers and sells categories including homeware and electronics as well as clothing, but was impacted by supply chain problems. Studio had a market capitalisation of £100 million, and it made more than half a billion in sales and £41.7 million pre-tax profits last year.
10-year profit ‘milestone’ in 2021 for The Co-operative Bank
Manchester-based The Co-operative Bank has hailed a “milestone” 2021 in which it said it posted its first full year of profit in ten years. In its annual report posted on the London Stock Exchange for the 12 months ended 31 December 2021, the group said it made a statutory profit before tax of £31.1m, an increase of £134.9m from 2020. Underlying profits were £41m, up by £105m from the prior period.
Nick Slape, chief executive said the bank had delivered against the “ambitious” turnaround plan set three years ago to significantly improve its financial strength and stability. Slape said it marked the first full year of profit in ten years, signalling a return to “sustainable profitability”.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
Arbitration on rent debt relief for businesses affected by coronavirus
This draft statutory guidance sets out how arbitrators should exercise their functions under Part 2 of the Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Act 2022.
Check if you can claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you’re an employer, find out if you can use the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme to claim back employees’ Statutory Sick Pay related to COVID-19.
Claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to your employees due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
How to use the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme to claim back employees’ coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
COVID Local Support Grant management information: 17 April to 30 September 2021
Management information on progress on the COVID Local Support Grant management information, provided by local authorities.
Test and Trace Support Payment scheme: claiming financial support
Who can claim the support and how to apply – added notice that the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme ends on 24 February 2022.
COMMUNITY:
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.
Public reminded to stay safe as COVID-19 England restrictions lift
The government has ended legal restrictions in England and is instead asking the public to practice specific safe and responsible behaviours.
How to do a coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow test
Find out how to do a rapid lateral flow test for COVID-19 and report the results. Rapid tests are usually for people without symptoms of COVID-19 – updated ‘Blue and white pack: throat and nose test’ video to reflect changes to self-isolation guidance.
PCR home testing for people eligible for new COVID-19 treatments
If you’re eligible for a new coronavirus (COVID-19) treatment, follow this guide on how to do a PCR test at home and register your test kit.
COVID-19: people with COVID-19 and their contacts
Guidance for people with coronavirus (COVID-19) and their contacts.
EDUCATION:
Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Protective measures for providers of community activities, holiday or after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings offering provision to children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – updated the guidance to reflect new public health guidance tracing close contacts, isolation and when someone has symptoms or a positive test.
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
What childcare services early years settings, childminders and local authorities need to provide during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – updated the guidance to reflect new public health guidance tracing close contacts, isolation and when someone has symptoms or a positive test.
Higher education providers: coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) operational guidance for higher education providers – updated the guidance to reflect new public health guidance tracing close contacts, isolation and when someone has symptoms or a positive test.
Special schools and other specialist settings: coronavirus (COVID-19)
What all special schools and other specialist settings will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – updated to reflect that asymptomatic testing in special educational needs and disability (SEND) and alternative provision (AP) settings will continue.
Special schools and other specialist settings: coronavirus (COVID-19)
What all special schools and other specialist settings will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – updated the guidance to reflect new public health guidance tracing close contacts, isolation and when someone has symptoms or a positive test.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
How to become a private provider of COVID-19 testing??
Guidance for prospective providers?on how to be listed as a testing provider for?general?population or day 2 testing – updated guidance around self-isolation.
Minimum standards for private sector providers of COVID-19 testing
Sets out the minimum standards that providers must meet to be listed as a private sector coronavirus (COVID-19) testing provider – updated information around self-isolation and contact tracing.
Comparing the risk of death involving coronavirus (COVID-19) by variant, England: December 2021
An analysis of mortality between Omicron and Delta, comparing the risk of COVID-19 death in people infected by the two variants in December 2021 in England, after adjusting for socio-demographic factors, vaccination status and health conditions.
COVID-19: management of staff and exposed patients and residents in health and social care settings
Guidance on the management of staff, patients and residents who have been exposed to COVID-19 – updated to reflect changes to self-isolation regulations.
JUDICIARY / LEGAL:
Being a deputy or attorney during the coronavirus outbreak
Find out how you can continue to act in the best interests of the client or donor, during the pandemic – amended to reflect new guidance for England and Wales
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Office of the Public Guardian response
This page provides guidance on how OPG is responding to the coronavirus pandemic. It will be updated when new information is available – updated
TRAVEL:
Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Check what COVID-19 tests you need to take and the self-isolation rules for travel to England – from 24 February, there is no legal requirement to self-isolate if you get a positive day 2 test result.
Using your NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad and at venues and settings in England
How to use the NHS COVID Pass to demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at venues and settings in England – updated to reflect new government guidance on self isolation policy if you test positive for COVID-19.
Immigration and border statistics relating to COVID-19
This page brings together documents relating to published statistics on the immigration system and passenger arrivals since the COVID-19 outbreak – added ‘Statistics relating to passenger arrivals since the COVID-19 outbreak, February 2022’.
Statistics relating to passenger arrivals since the COVID-19 outbreak, February 2022
A statistical report showing the impact of COVID-19 on the immigration system, up to January 2022.
Coming to England for seasonal agricultural, horticultural work or pork processing
Advice for seasonal agricultural, horticultural workers and pork butchers coming to England to work on farms or processing sites or at slaughterhouses, and their employers – added guidance for seasonal horticultural work.