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GOOD AFTERNOON and welcome to my regular South West Surrey update No. 110. As of today, we have had a total of 4,071,185 positive cases of COVID-19 with 118,933 confirmed deaths in the UK. There have been 5,589 confirmed cases in Waverley and sadly 237 confirmed deaths, with an estimated 224 active cases in Waverley, significantly down from last week. All data is accurate as of 11am this morning.

BACK IN ACTION Following my running fall, I had my elbow operation on Tuesday thanks to a brilliant Royal Surrey surgeon who lives in Bramley. Just before I was put to sleep I reminded the anaesthetist of Reagan’s comment to his doctor after he was shot in 1981 ‘please tell me you’re Republican.’ No political identity was revealed but suffice to say I did wake up… and the operation appears to have been a success so thank you to the amazing medical team. Thank you too for numerous kind messages.

ALMOST 16 MILLION people in total have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in the UK – a fantastic achievement. In turn, in the last week: coronavirus cases ↓27%, hospital admissions ↓25.6%, and deaths ↓26% across the country. Today’s Imperial REACT study ([link removed]) found that infections had fallen by two thirds since the start of lockdown 3, again highlighting the importance of both vaccines and lockdown. The government’s ambition is to offer a vaccine to all priority cohorts 1 to 9 by May (including all over 50s) and all adults by September. We are vaccinating more people daily than most countries ([link removed]) , although this week President Biden outlined an even more ambitious target for the US
([link removed]) , stating, ‘by the end of July we’ll have over 600 million doses, enough to vaccinate every single American.’ However, the Head of the UK taskforce seems to think every adult in the UK could, in fact, receive both doses by August ([link removed]) . Let’s hope he’s right – the sooner the better.

IN OTHER CORONA NEWS, yesterday the UK’s Health Research Authority approved the world’s first COVID-19 human challenge study where subjects will be deliberately infected with the virus. Click here ([link removed]) to learn more about this controversial but exciting research. If you are suffering from pandemic fatigue, I recommend this coronavirus article ([link removed]) about boredom and the meaning of life. Alternatively, here’s my article ([link removed]) about the NHS reforms in the Guardian and in the Herald ([link removed]) .

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

OVER ONE MILLION laptops and tablets have been distributed to disadvantaged children across England as part of a £400 million government investment ([link removed]) . This programme is a good example of industry and government working together and has made the Dept for Education one of the top global purchasers of laptops in 2020.

THE JUSTICE SYSTEM has received a £113 million funding ([link removed]) boost to deliver swifter justice and better support for victims. The package means 14 new ‘Nightingale Courts’ and the recruitment of additional staff. The Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland, commented: ‘we have achieved an immense amount in our battle to keep justice moving during the pandemic – restarting jury trials before anyone else, turbo-charging the rollout of video technology, bringing magistrates’ backlogs down, and opening more courtrooms for jury trials. These new courts are the latest step in that effort, and I am determined to minimise delays and ensure justice is served for victims, defendants and the public.’ Justice delayed is justice denied so wouldn’t it be great if some of these new techniques could permanently speed things up?

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH WEST SURREY

A SURGE TESTING OPERATION is required in Maybury and surrounding areas of Woking following the identification of a case of the South African variant of COVID-19. The operation begins today and test kits will be delivered door to door by volunteers. Click here ([link removed]) to learn more.

OVER 70 & UNVACCINATED? Everyone aged 70+ should have now been offered the vaccine. However, if you are in this category and have not received your first dose yet, you can make an appointment at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination, or by phoning 119 free of charge. Meanwhile, people aged 65-69 are now starting to receive their invitations.

LOCAL HEROES Today’s South West Surrey Hero is the Hale Community Centre, which has set up the ‘community store cupboard’ that has provided a lifeline to many families during the lockdown. Thank you for supporting our community, especially those on low incomes. Great effort! You might like too to see the feature in today’s Heralds which has a double page spread on our Heroes ([link removed]) – a fantastic group of people!

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

THE ECONOMY AND JOBS

HOUSE PRICES rose by 8.5% in 2020 ([link removed]) , the highest annual growth rate since 2014. According to the Office for National Statistics published yesterday, the average house price in the UK was £252,000 in December 2020. But will the gold rush continue when the stamp duty holiday ends?

SWS BOUNCEBACK featured small business: Hyde Orchard Farm Shop at Hyde Lane, Churt, GU10 2LP. Hannah, who runs the shop ([link removed]) told me, ‘we opened during lockdown to support our local residents with fresh fruit and vegetables and household essentials last year. Since then, we have received so much incredible support and feedback from all our customers which has allowed us to expand and continue to support other local businesses by stocking their produce.’ I also recommend the Godalming Food Company ([link removed]) from whom a friend sent me a delicious hamper following my accident.

WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON

VEGAN VOTERS Apparently 1.16% of the British population is vegan which means there are around 800 registered to vote in South West Surrey. I have berry good news for the 800: Nestle are introducing a new vegan Kit Kat ([link removed]) .

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH is currently at the King Edward VII Hospital as a ‘precautionary measure.’ Remarkably, he’ll be 100 in June. What an amazing fellow.

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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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