Nottinghamshire is playing a leading role in the fight against the virus - here is what you need to know

Late last year a new strain of coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan, China, after doctors started treating a cluster of patients with pneumonia which, initially, had no known cause.

The disease was coined SARS-CoV-2 and months later it had spread to more than 200 countries, leading to the World Health Organisation deeming it a pandemic on March 11.

Such a rapid spread of the disease led to the UK being placed into lockdown on March 23, following a statement from Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Schools were closed on the Friday before, pubs pulled their last pints, and the National Trust was even forced to close all car parks after some of the biggest weekend visitor numbers in history as people flocked to get their last taste of life as we knew it.

As of May 14, the UK Government has confirmed a total of 233,151 cases with 33,614 deaths, and after the number of cases began to decrease, the Government relaxed some lockdown rules on May 13 after six weeks of unprecedented rules to save lives.

Here is a comprehensive article with everything you need to know as of May 15, 2020.

What are the coronavirus symptoms?

The most common symptoms of Covid-19 are fever, tiredness and a dry cough, according to the NHS.

The Government and health bodies say you must not leave your home if you have either:

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home and make a call from there.

here and what did the virus come from?

Most reputable organisations, including the pharmaceutical journal and WHO, say it is currently unknown and unclear where and what the virus originated from.

Some research has suggested it originated in the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, with the virus spreading from animal to human, but according the the UK Government website some lab-confirmed patients had not reported visiting the market despite having the virus.

The Government says information shared by China and WHO indicates that SARS-CoV-2 is a beta-coronavirus that is genetically similar to SARS-like coronaviruses obtained from bats in Asia.

However, a zoonotic source (an animal) to the outbreak has not been identified yet, and most rumours are unfounded.

Time Line

Covid-19 timeline of events in Nottinghamshire

1. March 6 - First coronavirus case in Nottingham confirmed

   A statement was issued by Nottingham City Council on Friday, March 6 confirming a city resident had tested positive for COVID-19 making them the first confirmed case in the county

   The person had returned from South Korea.

2. March 13 - first death in Nottingham

   The first person to die of coronavirus in Nottingham's QMC was a patient in his 90s on Friday March 13.

3. March 20 - Pubs and restaurants told to shut

   Cafes, pubs and restaurants told they must close - except for take-away food - to tackle coronavirus,

4. March 23 - Boris Johnson: 'You must stay at home'

   The Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation urging them not to leave home along with new strict measures to battle the coronavirus pandemic.

5. April 2 - More than 70 confirmed cases in Notts in one day

   Yvonne Doyle, medical director from Public Health England, said the Midlands has become 'a concern' as more than 70 people in Nottinghamshire tested positive in just one day.

6. April 5 - Boris Johnson admitted to hospital with the virus as cases rise dramatically in Nottinghamshire

   The Prime Minister was admitted to hospital after 10 days of symptoms, and cases increased further in Nottinghamshire.

7. April 15/16 - Lockdown extended by three weeks as death-toll in Nottinghamshire's hospitals hits 177 people

   Lockdown was extended as cases and deaths continued to rise. A total of 177 people had died across Nottinghamshire's hospitals alone by this point.

8. April 23 - Nottingham MP and shadow health minister says we are past the peak locally

   Alex Norris, Nottingham north MP and shadow health minister, said it 'stands to reason' the county had reached the peak as the UK reported a plateau in new cases.

   But it was announced 13 residents in the Wren Hall care home in Selston had also died as a result of the virus

9. May 1 - Prime Minister says country is past the peak as more than 300 now dead in Nottinghamshire's hospitals

   Boris Johnson says the country is past the peak now, and said a draft exit plan is in the works. However, 208 patients are now dead in Nottingham's hospitals and 98 had died at Sherwood Forest hospitals.

10. May 13 - Lockdown eased

    Lockdown was eased across the country, and golf clubs, garden centres and fishing lakes across Nottinghamshire reopened for the first time in 6 weeks

How many cases are there in each area of Nottinghamshire now, and how many have died?

As of Friday, May 15, the Government has confirmed 571 cases in Nottingham city and a further 1,232 in Nottinghamshire.

The latest data also shows how many cases in each district and borough, as follows:

Rushcliffe - 162

Gedling - 203

Ashfield -  214

Mansfield - 112

Newark and Sherwood - 133

Bassetlaw - 185

Broxtowe - 223

The number of deaths is split into two categories, those in hospital and those outside of hospital, including care homes.

Figures published on Tuesday, May 12, by the Office for National Statistics show a total of 194 Covid-19 related deaths were notified to the CQC by care homes between April 10 and May 8.

Deaths involving Covid-19 made up nearly half (47 percent) of all deaths in care homes over the period.

There has been a disparity in the number of deaths recorded at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust as it has stopped publishing a daily death toll itself.

The figures on NHS England's website state 234 patients have died.

NUH has been contacted for clarification.

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust has also confirmed a further 111 deaths, while the Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust has confirmed 13, and Ramsey Health has confirmed 1.

What are the latest lockdown rules?

On Wednesday, May 13, after some six weeks of very draconian measures, the Government eased the lockdown.

A 50-page document was published outlining the current plans to take the country forward.

These are some of the main points:

• You can meet a friend - The rules allow you to meet one other person at a time from another household in an open space, you may not visit people in their homes or gardens.
• Working - For the foreseeable future, workers should continue to work from home rather than their normal physical workplace, wherever possible. All workers who cannot work from home should travel to work if their workplace is open. Sectors of the economy that are allowed to be open should be open, for example this includes food production, construction, manufacturing, logistics, distribution and scientific research in laboratories.
• Schools - The Government has said schools in England can begin to reopen from June 1 starting with primary schools and beginning with Year Six. There will then be a phased return of different year groups. School unions have said it must be safe before children and staff return and it has been said parents will not be fined if they choose not to send their children back at this time.
• Play sport - You may now play sports with one other person from your household, including golf, tennis, basketball and swimming in lakes. Team sports are prohibited.
• Unlimited exercise - You can now leave the house for as many walks, runs or basketball sessions you want.
• Sunbathing and picnics - You may now sunbathe or have a picnic in a park with your household only.

 

What open spaces are accessible in Nottinghamshire?

Nottinghamshire County Council operates a number of country parks, which are currently open to walkers and cyclists but car parks have been closed as well as other amenities.

Car parks will reopen from Saturday, May 16, but the council remains unsure as to the best way to open toilet facilities.

But the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has urged people to "think twice" before driving to hotspots where social distancing may be difficult.

While also falling under the county council's list of open spaces, the historic home of Robin Hood is cared for by the RSPB charity.

RSPB Chief Executive Beccy Speight, said: "Our reserves remain closed for now, but nature will be worth the wait

"Like you, I’ve found these past few weeks incredibly challenging. We have all been worried about the health and welfare of our family, friends and our communities during this difficult time.  

Other places such as Creswell Crags and Sherwood Pines remain closed at this time.

What else is reopening?

Fast food restaurants across Notts have started to spring back to life after eight weeks in lockdown.

Everywhere closed at the end of March as coronavirus began to get a grip on the UK.

But now KFC, Burger King, Subway and McDonald's are gradually starting to reopen, with strict social distancing and hygiene measures in place to keep staff and customers safe.

Drive-thru Burger King restaurants at Lady Bay Retail Park and Mansfield's Portland Retail Park are set to reopen on Monday, May 18.

Subway has reopened more than 600 branches across the UK, including the sandwich shop at Portland Street, Newark.

Branches in Long Eaton and Ilkeston have also started serving again. The shop in Stapleford is set to reopen on May 20.

Most golf clubs are also open now, some only to members, while most garden centres are also open too.

Tips in Nottinghamshire are set to reopen during the coronavirus lockdown with strict social distancing measures in place.

Nottinghamshire County Council confirmed its recycling centres in Beeston, Bilsthorpe, Calverton, Hucknall and Worksop will reopen seven days a week from 10am to 6pm from May 18.

How is Nottinghamshire helping in the fight against the virus

Nottingham was praised by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson for its efforts in the fight against the virus.

Nottingham’s two universities have been singled out for praise for their work helping the Government increase the levels of testing for coronavirus.

He was asked by Nottinghamshire Live about concerns relating to personal protective equipment (PPE) for social carers, and said: “Before I answer those questions, can I just take the opportunity to thank the two brilliant universities in the city of Nottingham, who have been playing an incredibly important role in terms of dealing with the coronavirus crisis.

“Whether that’s the University of Nottingham or Nottingham Trent University, who have actually lent key testing equipment in order to boost the nation’s capacity, and also to do tests, and are also working in terms of mapping the coronavirus so we can best understand and treat it.

“The city of Nottingham really goes to shine a light on what an important role higher education institutions play in terms of our battle with the coronavirus.”

Virologists at the University of Nottingham have also discovered some parts of the novel coronavirus that they believe may create an immune response and prevent future infection.

Nottingham's universities will be lending their expertise in the race to develop an effective and safe vaccine for the Covid-19 virus in the coming months.

Experts from both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University will be assisting Scancell Holdings Plc, which develops immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer.

The company will be adapting its cancer vaccine to develop a new vaccine to prevent future infection by the novel coronavirus, which causes covid-19.

What to do if you need medical help

• If you need medical help for any reason, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
• If you have symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature or a new, continuous cough), use the 111 coronavirus service.

• If you need help or advice not related to coronavirus:

  • for health information and advice, use the NHS website or your GP surgery website
  • for urgent medical help, use the NHS 111 online service – only call 111 if you're unable to get help online
  • for life-threatening emergencies, call 999 for an ambulance
• Like so many other day-to-day things, some bin collections are being affected by the coronavirus across the county.

A&E visits in Nottingham have plummeted by 46 percent in April, but the trust says it is important people do not avoid visiting if in need of help.

People have been urged to come in if it is an emergency or call a GP if, for example, you have signs of cancer.

 

source: https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/coronavirus-you-need-know-pandemic-4135430

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