Figures falling
The Office for National Statistics estimates one in 3,900 people have coronavirus. This translates to 0.03% of the population and is down from one in 2,200 the previous week.
This figure is based on swab tests collected from 25,662 participants. Of those tested, eight people tested positive. When scaled up, this work out at around 14,000 infections in England. The test numbers remain low however, so the ONS estimates between 5,000 and 31,000 people current have coronavirus.
Incidence of new infections appears to have decreased since mid-May and has now levelled off.
Office of National Statistics
The average daily hospital admission in England are now 4% of the peak. Patients in ICU are 5.7% of the peak. Patients in hospital are 9.6% of the peak.
Similar recovery continues around the world. The intensive care department in the hospital at the centre of the coronavirus in Italy is now official COVID-free. It was 137 days since the first coronavirus patient was admitted to Papa Giovanni XXIII, the main hospital in Bergamo.
Care visits
Families with loved ones in care homes may soon be allowed to visit inside the residence, with the ban expected to be lifted in the coming days.
The Health Secretary, Matt Handcock, announced the government would be setting out details in the next few days of how Covid-secure visits can take place.
This currently applies to care homes in England. However limited visits to council care homes in Shetland are also now possible under carefully controlled conditions
Scottish Government guidance allows for a single designated individual to visit their family member or friend outdoors, with appropriate social distancing.
High risk nurse recovers from COVID
A nurse who has type two diabetes has returned home after contracting coronavirus.
Collette McAfee, 64, came out of retirement to help during the pandemic. She worked several 12-hour shifts in Clifton Nursing Home in north Belfast before testing positive for the virus on 15th May. She spent 26 days in intensive care where she was placed in an induced coma and put on a ventilator.
Despite the ordeal, her daughter Emma Louise Aiken said her mum had “no regrets” about returning to work. She went to say that, although her mum is still finding things tough, she is “doing well” at home.
Lip reading masks
A woman from Devon has created more than 100 protective masks for deaf people.
Claire Cross as sewn masks with a clear panel over the mouth so deaf people are able to lip read. The 45-year-old described the masks as vital for those with hearing issues and ensure deaf people feel ‘safe and included’.
The National Deaf Children’s Society has called for the masks to be made widely available.
Our supporters have been busy making masks too. Lesley Sledmore has now raised over £1000 after she started making masks for family and friends. Her story inspired Janet Horwood, mum of our own marketing director, Rachel Avery, to follow suit and has asked everyone she makes a mask for to donate to the charity.
Keep in Touch
Our Keep in Touch support service continues to help people living with lung cancer through the pandemic. In many cases, it is a lifeline for patients, particularly those who are on their own, like Norma.
“When we first went into lockdown, I shielded with my grandson who was also considered ‘vulnerable’. When he moved back home, I suddenly felt very anxious and the gravity of the situation dawned on me.
But then Elizabeth from the Keep in Touch support service called, and I felt much better. We are social animals so this whole situation is so alien. It’s a relief to hear from Elizabeth each week. I really look forward to it.”
