2nd April 2020- The number of confirmed COVID -19 cases around the world hits 1 million with 51,000 deaths.
3rd April 2020 – Prince Charles opened The NHS Nightingale hospital at the Xcel centre in London. Community support groups were set up by the government to support the isolated and vulnerable people. However many communities already had such support in place. In our community there was a Facebook group called Covid-19 Elmbridge support group.
5th April 2020 – Queen Elizabeth addresses the nation.
6th April 2020 – Boris Johnson who had been admitted to ST Thomas Hospital is moved to Intensive Care. Cases soar to 51,608 in the UK with 5,413 deaths.
9th April 2020 – UK records its highest daily death toll at 938 deaths recorded in 24 hrs.
10th April 2020 – World-wide deaths double to 100,000
12th April 2020 – Boris Johnson is released from hospital to finish his recovery at home.
13th- 15th April – Some countries in Europe ease lock down. Austria plans to open some DIY stores. Italy plans to reopen some shops and Spain gets ready to allow some construction and factory employees to go back to work.
16th April 2020 – In the UK, lockdown is extended for a further 3 weeks.
18th April 2020 – In the UK the total infected is 114,217 with a death toll of 15,464.
19th April 2020 – In the UK the total infected is 120,067 with a death toll of 16,060
19th April 2020 – 99 year old British war veteran Captain Tom Moore raises more than 31 million for walking 100 laps in his garden. Online concert aired on out TV’s – ‘One World: Together at Home’
20th April 2020- India relaxes lock down, opening banks, farms and public works.
21st April 2020 – In the UK the total infected is 129,044 with a death toll of 17,337. Turkey sees a rise in cases and endures 4 day curfew. Cases in Singapore surge, with over 8,000 recorded.
22nd April 2020 – UK human COVID-19 vaccine trials start.
24th April 2020- Tests become available for front line workers, key workers and health care staff and their families. It reached capacity very quickly on its first day.
25th April 2020 – In the UK the total infected is 148,377 with a death toll of 20,319
27th April 2020 – Death Toll passes 21,000. Boris Johnson returns to his role as PM and issues statement- we are in this for the long hall and lock down will continue. The Government announces a 60,000 pay out to families of Key workers who sadly lose their lives as a result of COVID-19.
28th April 2020 – A minute silence is held at 11am to remember the keyworkers who have lost their lives.
29th April 2020 – Boris Johnson announces birth of Baby Boy. Testing has been expanded to anyone with symptoms who is over 65, who have to leave home to work and their families. All care home staff and residence can now be tested even if they don’t have symptoms.
30th April 2020 – Captain Tom, Colonel Tom turns 100. A true hero who has touched the hearts of the nation.
Boris Johnson returns to the daily briefings. The UK has reached it’s peak and cases are slowly going down. Boris explains that coming out of lockdown needs to be handled very carefully to avoid a second wave and so not to expect to be out of lockdown too soon.
A video was used to explain what the Rate of infection, known as R is. When the virus started the R was 3, this means that for every 1 person infected a further 3 would be infected. Now the R is 0.6, this means that for every 2 people infected, only 1 person is infected, which should result in a decrease of the amount of people being infected. As long as the R remains below one, cases will continue to decrease. The reason the R has decreased is due to the lock down and social distancing which is why it is important not to come out of lockdown too quickly and why it needs to be done gradually.
