UK STATISTICS
There have been 18 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and almost 160,000 people have died, government figures show. Over 52 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, 91% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. More than 48 million, 85% have had their second and more than 37 million, 66% have had a booster.
*Government case figures now include people in England and Northern Ireland who have tested positive for a second time – after at least a 90-day gap – rather than just first infections.
Total UK Cases: 18,393,951 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 46,186 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 12,304 (211 more than on previous day)
New deaths across UK: 234
Total UK deaths: 159,839
England Cases per 100,000: 599
R number in UK: 0.8-1.1
Vaccine data:
Total 1st doses given: 52,522,201 – 91% of UK aged 12+
Total 2nd doses: 85%
Daily 1st doses: 8,107
Daily 2nd doses: 18,172
Daily Booster doses: 32,050
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: 105,906
New cases in past 7 days: 2,299 to 10 Feb
Total deaths: 1,010
Cases per 100,000: 594.6
UK NEWS UPDATES:
Inflation rises to 30-year high
The latest inflation data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has seen the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) reach a 30-year high of 5.5%. The latest rises in inflation represent the fastest growth in prices for consumer goods since March 1992, when, based on historical modelling, the CPI reached 7.1%. The January CPI figure is also an increase on the 4.9% rate of price growth recorded in December 2021.
Northern Ireland supports removing restrictions
There is support from politicians to relax the remaining coronavirus restrictions in Northern Ireland, which include using Covid passports and wearing face coverings in certain settings. Health Minister Robin Swann wrote to other executive ministers for their views, but any change would need wider approval. Current restrictions are in place until 24 March.
Wales may trial a four-day working week
Many jobs have change because of the pandemic, and this coupled with a drive to reducing carbon emissions, should we changing how we work be reviewed? The Future Generations Commission says a four-day working week should be trialled in Wales as it can make staff healthier and happier, and businesses more productive. The Welsh government says it’s considering the progress of pilot schemes in other countries.
France confirms relaxation of testing rules
France has relaxed its Covid rules, allowing fully-vaccinated UK and Ireland travellers to enter without testing. The UK FCDO said fully vaccinated travellers aged 12 and over must continue to provide proof of vaccination and a sworn statement (déclaration sur l’honneur) self-certifying that travellers are not suffering from Covid symptoms and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the 14 days prior to travel.
REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:
Cheshire East Council closes discretionary Covid-19 grant schemes
The council has paid out over £15 million to businesses impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and closed applications to grants at midnight on 11th February.
400 new Jobs as government creates new Manchester cultural department
Hundreds of jobs are set to be created after a government department announced the opening of a new Manchester city centre hub. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will be moving into Bruntwood Works’ Bloc scheme in Marble Street in the city centre will accommodate up to 400 staff, making it the largest DCMS hub outside London. The move will also bring DCMS closer to other bodies including Building Digital UK (BDUK), the driving force behind the £5bn broadband rollout to rural areas across the UK, which will be in the new DCMS Manchester HQ.
NatWest Regional PMI shows regional growth slows in 2022
Covid staff absences, rising prices and material shortages resulted in the North West private sector recording its slowest growth in business activity for almost a year in January, according to new data. The latest Regional PMI data from NatWest shows the headline North West Business Activity Index registered 50.8 in January, down from 53.1 in December. The latest reading was only just above the 50.0 mark that separates growth from contraction and the lowest since February 2021. It was also below a UK average of 54.2. Underlying data pointed to modest increases in demand across the region’s manufacturing and service sectors.
Cheshire housebuilder to appoint administrators
Cheshire housebuilder Mulbury Homes has started the process of appointing administrators, it has confirmed. The group, which is based in Lymm, and has a Manchester office, is said to be the victim of a ‘perfect storm’ of supply chain problems and the impact of the COVID pandemic. A Mulbury Homes spokesperson said: “The company has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.
67-years established North West retailer to appoint administrators
A notice of intention to appoint administrators is to be filed for listed online digital retailer business Studio Retail Group. Studio Retail Group reported in January that it has a surplus stockholding which requires additional working capital funding while it is sold through to customers. The company requested a short-term loan of £25m from its lending banks to fund the surplus stockholding, which it believed was “sufficient” to enable it to sell through the stock to customers. Following discussions with its UK lenders, the business has not been able to reach agreement with them to provide the additional funding Studio Retail Group requires.
SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:
BUSINESS:
US inflation, geographical tension: Handelsbanken: explains the week’s global economic news
Handelsbanken have summarised the latest economic news as financial markets react to US inflation figures and growing geopolitical tension between Russia and Ukraine. US inflation at 40-year high: American inflation figures took markets by surprise, with the USA’s Consumer Price Index showing price growth at a 40-year high. Growth in wages is also starting to follow suit in American employment markets, and while inflation is anticipated to peak in the coming months, it may settle at a higher rate than we have been accustomed to in recent years.
Central banks to pull back from pandemic emergency policy measures – read on
CARE:
COMMUNITY:
DVLA Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Find out the date of applications we are processing and how to access our online services – updated processing dates for paper applications.
How tests and testing kits for coronavirus (COVID-19) work
The different types of tests and testing kits for COVID-19, and the specifications for manufacturers – added Guidance for COVID-19 test device manufacturers intending to register their device with MHRA.
Guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person
For contacts of a person with a positive test result for COVID-19 who do not live with that person.
COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection
Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
HEALTH & WELLBEING:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): notification to organisations to share information
Notification to healthcare organisations, GPs, local authorities and arm’s length bodies that they should share information to support efforts against coronavirus (COVID-19).
Technical specifications for personal protective equipment (PPE)
The documents attached define the technical and regulatory standards for PPE – updating the technical specification to address the issue of masks potentially touching the nose and mouth.
COVID-19: migrant health guide
Advice and guidance for healthcare practitioners on the health needs of migrant patients – new translated resources about long COVID and arranging or attending a funeral or commemorative event
PROPERTY:
Levelling up to give house prices an average 3.6% uplift
The government’s heavily publicised Levelling Up initiative could benefit the UK’s overall property market by approaching £96 billion, it’s been claimed. Some 96 locations across the UK have been earmarked for regeneration projects, plus scores of other areas have smaller initiatives. Developer StripeHomes has analysed the existing and potential future values of properties in the areas, concluding that the average homeowner in a ‘level up area’ could see the value of their home property by £8,022.
RETAIL:
Smyths Toys mark bumper share of Christmas toys from bricks & mortar
Smyths emerged the big winner in the toys sector over Christmas as shopper returned to physical stores to buy gifts. Smyths had the strongest growth of any retailer as its market share jumped 1.6 percentage points to 11.3% over the 12 weeks to 26 December, making it second only to Amazon, according to Kantar’s latest toys market figures. Over the period, UK shoppers spent an additional £19 million on toys, with sales up 1% year on year. Smyths Toys, Amazon and Argos had a stronghold over the toys market over the period, with more than a third of the total toy market between them.
TRAVEL:
Checks to make sure you’re following self-isolation rules after international travel
How NHS Test and Trace carry out self-isolation checks on people who are not fully vaccinated and get a positive or unclear COVID-19 test result after arriving in England, or do not take a test – updated to reflect the new rules for international arrivals that took effect on 11 February 2022.
Small businesses received £21.3 billion in COVID-19 support from local authority grants 
Two year extension announced for Covid Recovery Loan scheme 
Research finds Covid-19 has not fundamentally changed the UK labour market