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GOOD AFTERNOON and welcome to my regular South West Surrey update No. 123 and a belated happy Easter - hope you had a good one. As of today, we have had a total of 4,367,291 positive cases of COVID-19 with 126,927 confirmed deaths in the UK. There have been 5,795 confirmed cases in Waverley and sadly 246 confirmed deaths, with an estimated 105 active cases in Waverley ([link removed]) . All data is accurate as of 11am this morning.

COURSE CORRECTION The vaccine is safe and effective for all age groups, as was confirmed yesterday by both our medicine regulator and the European Medicines Agency. However, Britons aged 18-29 will be offered an alternative to the Oxford vaccine ([link removed]) after 79 out of 18.1m people developed blood clots after the jab. The Chief Executive for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Dr June Raine, stated that there is a ‘strong possibility' the Oxford vaccine is causing blood clots in an 'extremely small number of people'. However the benefits of the jab continue outweigh the 'extremely small' risk of the clotting which affects four people in a million (0.0004%). Indeed, COVID-19 itself is more likely to cause blood clots than the Oxford immunisation. So why are we offering a different vaccine to under 30s? A good explanation for boffins
([link removed]) here from Sir David Spiegelhalter: because infection rates are now so much lower in the UK, the balance of risk is different here to continental Europe where younger people are more likely to catch COVID-19. Read the JCVI statement here ([link removed]) and the EMA statement here ([link removed]) . I spoke to Martha Kearney on the Today Programme ([link removed]) (ahead of the announcement) and then to Channel 4 ([link removed]) and LBC ([link removed]) after it.

NEW VACCINE The UK has commenced the rollout of its third COVID-19 vaccine, the Moderna jab ([link removed]) , in Wales. The UK government has purchased 17m doses (for 8.5m people) and phase three results indicate that the vaccine has 100% efficacy against severe cases of the virus ([link removed]) . Elle Taylor, an unpaid carer, was the first person to receive the inoculation. The jab will be coming to England in Mid-April to combat the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine slowdown.

53,500 PEOPLE IN SOUTH WEST SURREY have now been vaccinated with at least one dose, with 3 in 5 adults inoculated nationally meaning we are getting close to herd immunity levels ([link removed]) . 5.6 million people have now received their second dose in the UK and according to the REACT study we are now starting to break the link between infections and deaths. ([link removed]) The second phase of the lockdown easing roadmap will go ahead, as confirmed by Boris Johnson earlier in the week. Therefore, places like shops, hairdressers, gyms, holiday campsites, beer gardens, and other personal care services will reopen on 12 April (Monday). ([link removed]) Yours truly has a haircut booked for Thursday.

RAPID TESTING FOR ALL From tomorrow everyone will be able to take a free rapid COVID-19 test twice a week – whether you have symptoms or not. The lateral flow kits, which take around 30 minutes to produce a result, will be available at testing sites, pharmacies and through the post ([link removed]) . One-third of COVID-19 carriers have no symptoms so well worth doing.

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

LIFE SCIENCE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES are now able to apply to a new £20m Medicines and Diagnostics Manufacturing Transformation Fund ([link removed]) to encourage start ups with brainy ideas that could help us fight off the next pandemic. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng commented ‘this investment will harness the best in UK manufacturing and fund cutting-edge medical technologies to protect the British public in 2021 and beyond.’ If it doesn’t sound much, remember an investment of just £1.9m made when I was Health Secretary turned out to be the scientific foundations for the Oxford Astra Zeneca jab.

THE NEW DIGITAL MARKET UNIT was launched yesterday as a statutory body to help the small guy stand up to big tech. The Unit will ‘enforce a new pro-competition regime to cover platforms with considerable market power - known as strategic market status.’ Not sure Apple, Google et al are quaking just yet but from small acorns etc. Read more here ([link removed]) .

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH WEST SURREY

JOIN MY CANCER CAMPAIGN to secure the Royal Surrey’s future as a regional hub and improve cancer services for the local population. You can help the campaign by filling out the survey on my website ([link removed]) . Click here ([link removed]) to read my article in the Farnham Herald about why we need to help put local cancer services back on their feet after the pandemic.

VACCINE RATES Farnham is doing its bit to boost minority ethnic vaccination rates with this terrific initiative organised by our local Ahmadhi community. Thanks to the brilliant NHS staff and volunteers who I visited last week with our superb council candidates Simon Foale, Alison Fitch, and Nabil Naseer ([link removed]) .

CULTURAL FUNDING has been awarded to four organisations in SWS, including Haslemere Hall and Farnham Maltings. Haslemere Hall is particularly good news after I and others personally lobbied Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden last December at a South West Surrey Conservative Association event. The grants amount to £557,269 and are part of the government’s Culture Recovery Fund ([link removed]) . Across Surrey, a total of £3,389,019 has been awarded to 28 organisations. Excellent news.

FREE VIRTUAL FUN FOR KIDS is been offered by Waverley Borough Council during the Easter Holidays. A full list of the activities can be found here ([link removed]) . If you have any further questions about the programme, please e-mail the Leisure Team at [email protected].

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

THE ECONOMY AND JOBS

PAY RISE FOR 2M WORKERS from last week (April 1) as the National Living Wages has risen to £8.91. Since 2010 someone working full time on the national living wage has seen their annual salary increase by £5,400 - something that makes a big difference to people on lower paid jobs in expensive areas like Surrey. The increases are listed here ([link removed]) .

WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON

MILK BEFORE WATER for the perfect cup of tea, say scientists at the Leeds University’s School of Food Science and Nutrition. Seems like Professor Alan Mackie is trying to teas the British public by claiming that ‘if the milk is added at the start of the steeping process then its proteins can bind to the tannins and other minerals in the water - preventing them from turning solid - which in turn gives you a far superior flavour ([link removed]) .’ Tearrific effort by the professor.

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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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