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GOOD AFTERNOON and welcome to my regular South West Surrey update No. 109. As of today, we have a total of 4,038,078 positive cases of COVID-19 with 117,166 confirmed deaths in the UK. There have been 5,569 confirmed cases in Waverley and sadly 264 confirmed deaths, with an estimated 304 active cases in Waverley. All data is accurate as of 11am this morning.

THE R NUMBER has fallen below 1 in the UK for the first time since July. According to SAGE, it is estimated to be between 0.7 and 0.9 ([link removed]) . This is brilliant news and means - bluntly - that lockdown and vaccinations are working. More specifically, in the last seven days: coronavirus cases ↓28%, hospital admissions ↓26.5%, and deaths ↓25.5% across England.

OVER 15 MILLION people in total have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in the UK. This is an important milestone in our national vaccination programme and means that over one in four UK adults have now received a coronavirus vaccine. Locally, between 8th December to 7th February (the latest local figures published), 121,096 people been vaccinated in Frimley (which covers Farnham) and 198,117 in Surrey Heartlands (which covers Godalming and Haslemere). In more good vaccine news, a study in Israel has shown that the Pfizer vaccine stops 94% of symptomatic coronavirus infections ([link removed]) . Moreover, another study has discovered the Pfizer vaccine remains effective against the Kent and South African variants ([link removed]) of
COVID-19, meaning the pharmaceutical company will not have to modify its vaccine at this stage, although the data is still preliminary. We are still hoping data will show the AZ vaccine stops severe illness with both variants but nothing yet even though scientists seem fairly optimistic.

NEW TREATMENT British scientists have demonstrated that the arthritis drug tocilizumab can reduce coronavirus deaths ([link removed]) and decrease the chance of patients requiring ventilators. This is fantastic news and around 50% of people admitted to hospital with coronavirus could benefit. What is more, on Saturday the government announced that the most promising COVID-19 treatments will soon be fast-tracked. Click here ([link removed]) to find out about the additional funding and clinical trials. Without overdoing the flag-waving it was also British research that discovered the other effective treatment dexamethasone.

ARE VIRUSES DEAD OR ALIVE? This is an ongoing debate (almost as heated as Brexit) in the world of virology. As we all know too well, the coronavirus can reproduce and evolve. However, without a ‘host’, the virus is unable to survive. Click here ([link removed]) to read both arguments, presented by the Microbiology Society a few years ago. Cannot wait for the referendum…

The key number to remember for anyone with pandemic-related difficulties remains 0300 200 1008 the Surrey Helpline run by Surrey County Council (Mon-Fri 9 am to 5 pm).

WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER

INTEGRATED CARE SYSTEMS are welcome news but they will have huge power and will therefore have to be held accountable in some way. I therefore asked Matt Hancock whether he will instruct the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to do OFSTED style ratings as they successfully do for hospitals and GP surgeries. Click here ([link removed]) to watch your injured MP question the Health Secretary.

SUPPORT FOR RENTERS Yesterday the Housing Secretary revealed that the ban on bailiff-enforced evictions is to be extended ([link removed]) for an extra six weeks – until the end of March. Robert Jenrick commented: ‘we have taken unprecedented action to support renters during the pandemic including introducing a six-month notice period and financial support to help those struggling to pay their rent.’

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH WEST SURREY

NEW TESTING will be available for asymptomatic individuals who are unable to work from home during lockdown from 18th February in Woking. This targeted community testing initiative should reduce transmission rates over time. The pilot symptom-free testing centre will be open 8am to 7pm and tests can be booked here. ([link removed])

FREE SCHOOL MEALS Last week I received a confirmation from Peter Campbell, Public Affairs Manager at Surrey County Council that this half term, the Council will continue to ensure all 18,000 children in the county eligible for Free School Meals are supported. This is funding supplied by the government as part of the £170m COVID-19 Winter Support Grant announced back in November. The grant has supported 26,661 households in Surrey to date, perhaps a salutary reminder that we are not the universally prosperous county some imagine.

GODALMING AND VILLAGES COMMUNITY STORE would like people to donate any unwanted technology such as laptops, desktops, or iPads to help children with homeschooling during the pandemic. If you have a device you would like to donate, please contact the store ([link removed]) and Patrick Andre and his team will then organise delivery. They really are doing a fantastic job.

LOCAL HEROES Today’s South West Surrey Hero is Kay and all the staff of Ritual Coffee at Farncombe Station. Kay is the owner of Ritual Coffee, an independent shop in Farncombe who along with her staff has been working incredibly hard throughout the pandemic. Farncombe is very lucky to have you all - keep up the brilliant work and the banter which cheers us all up. Tasty coffee and delicious croissants too.

See my list of local groups working to support vulnerable residents here ([link removed]) .

THE ECONOMY AND JOBS

↓GDP According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), UK’s GDP dropped by 9.9% ([link removed]) last year, but grew by 1% in Q4 2020. There is no doubt that it has been a truly terrible year for the economy but this is marginally better than some earlier projections and we still may be overstating the decline because of the purist way the ONS interprets things like school closures compared to other countries. Click here ([link removed]) for a summary of the economic support available for jobs, businesses, low income families and the unemployed.

SWS BOUNCEBACK featured small business: Bookings For You, a locally run, award-winning travel company ([link removed]) , specialising in villa rentals in Italy and France. Whilst travel may not be possible right now, this doesn’t mean that you can’t look ahead and put something in the diary to look forward to. Please contact Bookings For You ([link removed]) for more information. Having a holiday booked is great for morale but of course make sure you have all the consumer protections.

WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON?

GENETICS OF DEPRESSION For those interested in mental health, last week scientists uncovered the role of microRNAs in the inheritance of depression. Researchers discovered that male mice who develop symptoms associated with depression due to life experiences can confer depression susceptibility to their children. Click here ([link removed]) to learn more.

LAST THURSDAY I casually included a map of the world’s one billion sheep. This week the theme is goats ([link removed]) . I know what you’re thinking - for goat’s sake Jeremy, no more animal maps… no more, I promise.

TOUGH TUESDAY Thank you to the many people who have emailed or messaged about my broken arm. I fractured my left elbow in three places and go in tomorrow for an operation to set the bones in the right position. Then it’s six weeks in plaster and six weeks rehab. I am tempted to look up at my surgeon tomorrow and repeat the famous Reagan line after he was shot in 1981 ‘Please tell me you’re Republicans.’

AND FINALLY my 8 year old daughter told me she had a bad dream this morning. ‘Because of coronavirus we were all sent into outer space for three weeks and when we came back I cried because I realised I had left my iPad up there…’

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Promoted by Sean Donovan-Smith on behalf of Jeremy Hunt MP and South West Surrey Conservatives, all at 2 Royal Parade, Tilford Road, Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6TD.

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