GOOD AFTERNOON and welcome to my regular South West Surrey update No. 111. As of today, we had a total of 4,115,509 positive cases of COVID-19 with 120,580 confirmed deaths in the UK. There have been 5,628 confirmed cases in Waverley and sadly 240 confirmed deaths, with an estimated 194 active cases in Waverley, a continued decline. All data is accurate as of 11am this morning.

COVID LATEST Today the PM will present his lockdown exit plan, with the official announcement taking place in the House of Commons at around 3.30pm, followed by a televised address in the evening. The numbers now clearly justify his ‘optimism with a raincoat’ strategy with the estimated R number remaining between 0.6 to 0.9, and in the last week coronavirus cases ↓16%, hospital admissions ↓21%, and deaths ↓27% across England. Good news on the research front too this week with a new study from Israel confirming that the Pfizer vaccine is ‘highly effective’ in reducing transmission and research in Scotland showing that the Pfizer and Oxford vaccines lead to lower hospitalisation rates. Even better news is that the government wants to speed up the vaccination programme with all adults to be inoculated by July 31 (which probably means they can do it even sooner), and that the number of COVID-19 cases caused by South African and Brazilian variants seems to be declining.

VACCINE PROGRESS As of yesterday, 17,582,121 people in total have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in the UK – that’s 1 in 3 adults. Everyone in the top four priority groups has received a vaccine offer and we have also vaccinated two-thirds of people aged between 65 and 69. Locally, between 8th December to 14th February, 121,096 people have been vaccinated in Frimley Health and Care ICS (which covers Farnham) and 245,346 in Surrey Heartlands (which covers Godalming and Haslemere). In other news, the government has launched a social media campaign that will allow people to post images on Facebook and Instagram stating ‘I’ve had my vaccine’ or ‘I’ll get my vaccine.' Click here to get involved – the instructions are at the bottom of the page.

CARE HOME residents will be permitted one regular indoor visitor from 8 March. The named person will be tested for COVID-19 beforehand, and will of course wear PPE to protect everyone on site. The pandemic has been extremely difficult for those living in care homes so I welcome this news that will reunite loved ones.

DIABETES & COVID-19 Scientists are currently investigating the link between coronavirus and diabetes. According to the ONS, 5% of people hospitalised with the COVID-19 in England developed type 1 or 2 diabetes afterwards. Click here to watch Jordan’s story, who was found to have a blood sugar level of 127mmol/l after contracting the virus – the highest they’d seen in his hospital.

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

NEW RESEARCH AGENCY Britain’s ambitions to be the tech hub of Europe took a big step forward last week when the government announced the formation of a new research agency called The Advanced Research & Invention Agency (ARIA), backed by £800m funding. This new independent research body will support ‘high-risk, high-reward scientific research’ and will ensure the UK continues to be a world leader in science. The Business Secretary stated: ‘this new agency will focus on identifying and funding the most cutting-edge research and technology at speed. By stripping back unnecessary red tape and putting power in the hands of our innovators, the agency will be given the freedom to drive forward the technologies of tomorrow.’ This was long the dream of Dominic Cummings so he will be smiling in his retirement.

BRITISH DRIVERS will avoid a £50 a year hike to their motor insurance as the government has confirmed that it plans on scrapping the EU’s ‘Vnuk’ motor insurance law following our exit from the EU. Click here to read more.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH WEST SURREY

SPACE2BREATHE If you and your family need a break from home, you may be interested in a Space2Breathe session. There are three venues available in Farnham where volunteers can help with various things - from school work to simply having a conversation. You can e-mail [email protected] to request a form.

THE YOUTH REVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE is targeted at young people aged 11-18 (and up to 25 if you have additional needs). Click here to complete the survey to help the government decide which policies to fund for young people.

LOCAL HEROES Today’s South West Surrey Hero is Jo Glover, who has been making PPE since lockdown 1, including for friends to sell in aid of a local charity. Jo has been using different materials (such as curtain lining) and has been described as an ‘amazing woman, always helping others.’ Incredible work!

See my list of local groups working to support vulnerable residents here.

THE ECONOMY AND JOBS

GOVERNMENT BORROWING reached £8.8bn last month which is the highest January figure since records began. Recent data published by the Office of National Statistics shows that borrowing for this financial year has already hit £270.6bn, with the Office for Budget Responsibility predicting that it is likely to be £393.5bn by the end of March. The cost of COVID-19 is becoming clearer and clearer - although the Bank of England now thinks we will return to pre-COVID-19 levels of economic activity a year from now which is better than many feared.

SWS BOUNCEBACK featured small business: Old Chambers Serviced Offices (93/94 West Street, Farnham), who provide a complete business environment for the small businesses, or a satellite office for any large organisation seeking quality serviced offices with a professional, yet friendly, atmosphere.

WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON?

GAMING & MENTAL HEALTH Do you ever worry that your kids spend too much time on video games? I think wii all do nowadays – and the Hunt family has daily arguments when Mum and Dad try to snatch the iPads away from our darling kids. But it’s not all bad news. Parents clutching at straws may want to point to a new study which has found that boys between the ages of 11 and 24 who play video games frequently are less likely to be depressed.

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