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COVID-19 current figures
Current UK cases: 157,149 are confirmed as positive
Numbers tested: 569,768 people have been tested in the UK
21,092 (360) patients in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) have died
(Source: DHSC: As of 9am on 27 April 2020/death figures of 5pm on 26 April 2020)
Global situation report: 2,878,196 confirmed (85,530) 198,668 deaths (4,982)
European Region: 1,359,380 confirmed (29,659) 124,525 deaths (2,307)
Regions of the Americas: 1,140 520 confirmed (45,674) 58,492 deaths (2,453)
Eastern Mediterranean Region: 165,933 confirmed (5,347) 6,991 deaths (104)
Western Pacific Region: 144,121 confirmed (1482) 5,958 deaths (15)
South-East Asia: 46,060 confirmed (2,214) 1,824 deaths (77)
African Region: 21,470 confirmed (1,154) 865 deaths (26)
(Source: World Health Organization situation report 98)
Today’s COVID-19 headlines
UK on track to become one of Europe’s worst hit in Covid-19 pandemic
Britain is on track to become one of Europe’s worst-hit countries in the coronavirus pandemic, according to data on Tuesday that showed deaths from Covid-19 had already topped 20,000 by April 17, including a fast-rising toll in care homes.
The Office for National Statistics said the death toll involving Covid-19 in England and Wales was 35% higher than the daily figures for deaths in hospitals released by the government as of April 17, according to official data that include deaths in the community.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said 21,284 people overall had died as of April 17 with mentions of Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, on their death certificates. (Reuters)
WHO: Covid-19 exposes the critical importance of patient rehabilitation
There is a substantial and ever-increasing unmet need for rehabilitation worldwide according to the World Health Organization who have developed guidance to support and advise rehabilitation professionals throughout the pandemic.
This unmet need has been exacerbated by the pandemic with many services shutting down to reduce the spread of the virus and due to a lack of human resources, particularly in places that previously had sparse service provision and poor access.
€œFor COVID-19 patients, the initial respiratory physiotherapy priority is to keep the airway clear and unobstructed of sputum to enable sufficient oxygen to the lungs. This protection is key in trying to prevent patients from needing ventilation and a worsening of their condition,€ said Suzanne Murray, lead for the critical care rehabilitation team at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.
To provide this service as required, respiratory physiotherapists are on call 24/7 for emergency treatments.
Jump in NHS job applications to join coronavirus battle
There has been a rise in people wanting to work in the health service with 407,000 applications submitted last month for 27,700 jobs advertised, which was an increase of 13,500 on the same month last year.
Prerana Issar, Chief People Officer for the NHS said: €œThe huge support NHS staff have received from the public has been a massive boost as they tackle the greatest global health challenge in the health service’s history.
€œWe have had tens of thousands of former nurses, doctors and other staff coming out of retirement and a new generation starting their careers early to join the battle against coronavirus.”
The jump in applications has been revealed after NHS chief Sir Simon Stevens stressed that urgent and emergency care and cancer treatment has continued and urged anyone who needs help to come forward.
Full death in service benefits rejected by Welsh Government
The families of doctors putting their lives on the line in the fight against Covid-19 in Wales have been let down, according to the Welsh British Medical Association (BMA).
The Welsh Government announced a scheme that will see eligible beneficiaries receive a one off sum of £60,000 and will apply particularly to those working in frontline roles and locations where personal care is provided to individuals who may have contracted Covid-19.
Dr David Bailey, Chair BMA Welsh Council, said: €œWe are disappointed that our calls for families of doctors working on the frontline to receive full death in service benefits during this pandemic have been rejected by Welsh Government. These dedicated healthcare professionals are working in stressful conditions day in, day out to protect our loved ones, yet have been denied provisions for their own loved ones, should they find themselves paying the ultimate price for their service.
€œWhilst this single payment may seem a sizeable sum, it comes nowhere near compensating families for the lifetime income their loved one may have earned if they hadn’t died prematurely, fighting this crisis on the frontline.”
Other news roundup
- Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged people to start wearing a face mask if they are in enclosed places such as public transport and shops
- A contact tracing app could be rolled out widely in Britain in two to three weeks, according to the chief executive of the National Health Service’s technology group NHSX
- A minute’s silence was held today to remember key workers who have died
- Portugal’s state of emergency will end on Sunday 2 May
- Austria has announced further steps to relax its lockdown as Sydney’s Bondi Beach officially reopened