As Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirms we are past the peak of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK, figures from Public Health England have revealed there are now 122 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the Isle of Wight – a spike of 15.
Today’s data shows an increase of 15 from 107 cases yesterday (Thursday). Following a sudden increase of 15 cases from 86 to 101 on Sunday, the number has only slightly increased as the week has gone on, until now.
The large increase may be as a result of extra testing on the Island with the establishment of a mobile testing facility in Newport. Anyone testing positive at these stations are not poorly enough to be in hospital, but are showing symptoms of the virus.
NHS England report that there have now been 26 coronavirus deaths in hospital, with the Office for National Statistics confirming 3 people have also died in the community – 2 in care homes and 1 at home – as of 17th April.
The total number of confirmed active cases on the Isle of Wight is 74 – the highest it has been – although not all of these individuals are thought to be in hospital.
For the latest information on coronavirus here on the Isle of Wight visit islandecho.co.uk/category/coronavirus.
Symptoms of coronavirus
Stay at home if you have either:
[mks_icon icon="fa-arrow-right" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
[mks_icon icon="fa-arrow-right" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] 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)
[mks_icon icon="fa-arrow-right" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] shortness of breath.
[mks_icon icon="fa-arrow-right" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home.
The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu. Research shows it takes, on average, around 5 days for symptoms to start showing.
Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do.
[mks_icon icon="fa-arrow-right" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] Use the 111 coronavirus service for information.
Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.
How long to stay at home
[mks_icon icon="fa-arrow-right" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] if you have symptoms of coronavirus, you'll need to stay at home for 7 days.
[mks_icon icon="fa-arrow-right" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] if you live with someone who has symptoms, you'll need to stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person in the home started having symptoms
[mks_icon icon="fa-exclamation-circle" color="#dd9933" type="fa"] If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.
[mks_icon icon="fa-exclamation-circle" color="#dd9933" type="fa"] If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.
Read the NHS advice about staying at home.
How to avoid catching and spreading coronavirus (social distancing)
Everyone should do what they can to stop coronavirus from spreading.
[mks_icon icon="fa-check" color="#81d742" type="fa"] Do
[mks_icon icon="fa-check" color="#81d742" type="fa"] wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
[mks_icon icon="fa-check" color="#81d742" type="fa"] always wash your hands when you get home or into work
[mks_icon icon="fa-check" color="#81d742" type="fa"] use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
[mks_icon icon="fa-check" color="#81d742" type="fa"] cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
[mks_icon icon="fa-check" color="#81d742" type="fa"] put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
[mks_icon icon="fa-check" color="#81d742" type="fa"] avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of coronavirus
[mks_icon icon="fa-check" color="#81d742" type="fa"] only travel on public transport if you need to
[mks_icon icon="fa-check" color="#81d742" type="fa"] work from home, if you can
[mks_icon icon="fa-check" color="#81d742" type="fa"] avoid social activities, such as going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas
[mks_icon icon="fa-check" color="#81d742" type="fa"] avoid events with large groups of people
[mks_icon icon="fa-check" color="#81d742" type="fa"] use a phone, online services, or apps to contact your GP surgery or other NHS services
[mks_icon icon="fa-times" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] Don't
[mks_icon icon="fa-times" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
[mks_icon icon="fa-times" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] do not have visitors to your home, including friends and family
Advice for people at high risk
If you're at high risk of getting seriously ill from coronavirus, there are extra things you should do to avoid catching it.
These include:
[mks_icon icon="fa-times" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] not leaving your home – you should not go out to do shopping, visit friends or family, or attend any gatherings
[mks_icon icon="fa-times" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] avoiding close contact with other people in your home as much as possible
Read the full advice on protecting yourself if you're at high risk from coronavirus on GOV.UK.
Who is at high risk?
You may be at high risk from coronavirus if you:
[mks_icon icon="fa-arrow-right" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] have had an organ transplant
[mks_icon icon="fa-arrow-right" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] are having certain types of cancer treatment
[mks_icon icon="fa-arrow-right" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] have blood or bone marrow cancer, such as leukaemia
[mks_icon icon="fa-arrow-right" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] have a severe lung condition, such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma
[mks_icon icon="fa-arrow-right" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] have a condition that makes you much more likely to get infections
[mks_icon icon="fa-arrow-right" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] are taking medicine that weakens your immune system
[mks_icon icon="fa-arrow-right" color="#e30f13" type="fa"] are pregnant and have a serious heart condition
If you're at high risk, you will be contacted by the NHS by Sunday 29 March 2020. Do not contact your GP or healthcare team at this stage – wait to be contacted.
How coronavirus is spread
Because it's a new illness, the NHS does not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person.
Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.
It's very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food.
Pregnancy advice
If you're pregnant and worried about coronavirus, you can get advice about coronavirus and pregnancy from the Royal College of Obstretricians and Gynaecologists.
Travel advice
There are some countries and areas where there's a higher chance of coming into contact with someone with coronavirus.
If you're planning to travel abroad and are concerned about coronavirus, see advice for travellers on GOV.UK.
Treatment for coronavirus
There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus.
Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses.
Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness.
You'll need to stay in isolation, away from other people, until you have recovered.
More information
GOV.UK: coronavirus action plan
GOV.UK: information on coronavirus and the situation in the UK
NHS England: coronavirus for health professionals
No doubt we’re beginning to see the results of people flouting the lockdown rules over Easter.
It takes up to 5 days to show symptoms, Easter was 3 weeks ago
Roughly 50% of cases show symptoms within 5 days and 40% of people are asymptomatic. 4 out of 5 recover after 2 weeks but before 4. Sounds like Easter.
Or perhaps it could be a result of the ramp up in testing.
Since they are still mainly testing those with symptoms, more tests = more confirmed cases.
I suspect we will see a couple more jumps like this over the next week as the results from the recent boost in testing come in, then it will be back to less than one new case a day.
Another thing to bear in mind is that only the worst cases are being recorded and reported, most cases never make the news and most of them recover.
That doesn’t mean we should relax our guard or ignore the guidelines, but it does mean that the situation is not as dire as some of the predictions of doom, gloom and mass deaths on here might suggest.
Whilst maintaining social distancing is important it is just as important not to spread panic and misinformation.
It can take up to 2-3 weeks to show symptoms. This was inevitably gonna happen after easter. There are far too many people out & about. They seem to think they’ll be fine cause they are young & fit it even older & fit. The problem begins the minute they go home to someone who isn’t fit & has underlying health issues.
Last two days have been like a normal day around newport. Police have given up making their presence known around town. I got stuck in traffic on the way home today. We may as well open the shops nobody is taking this seriously anymore.
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Agreed. I had to travel to Newport today to collect hardware from my workplace and was stunned by what I saw. There were people everywhere. Lidl was full and I only saw one couple wearing masks as I drove past. I wish they’d understand that by flouting the rules we’ll all suffer and for longer.
It’s not ‘flouting the rules’ to buy food in Lydl’s. One of them may have been me, as we have been very low on supplies, so needed some basic foodstuffs. The hardware isles were virtually empty of people, most were just getting food.
– Also most of the experts agree that masks are ineffective and the damp that forms within them is a breeding ground for the virus.
Just keep cleaning/sanitising your hands and don’t get hung up about the Others !
Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying they are breaking the rules but it just seems a little strange that everyday more people have “essential” reasons to go out. Compare it to a few weeks ago when hardly anybody was out. I understand that supplies at home run out, but the definition of “essential” is getting less “essential” by the day.
I’m certain this is actually part of the government’s exit plan, they know people are going to slowly integrate themselves back into normal life. As the stay at home message doesn’t seem to be as prominent over the last 2 weeks as it was.
Is Lidl not practicing the social distancing then? In Waitose they only let a certain number of people in at a time and there are barriers placed in store now so that people can only go certain ways and arrows on the floor showing the direction to walk in, not that everyone keeps to the arrows admittedly which is annoying, but at least it shows the store is acting responsibly to try to keep its customers safe.
I’m going to Newport tomorrow at 2pm so could you and the rest of the island not be there please, obviously this is not possible,it’s just coincidence that lots of people were out at the same time just like YOU
No, the Police have been reprimanding people who drive out of town for exercise, with the threat of fines – that’s why people are around town.
I encountered an elderly couple out walking their dogs in a passageway behind the houses. We couldn’t get 2ft away from each other, let alone 2mtrs.
They told me that they must have passed at least 20 others similarly already on their walk that morning.
– The day before they had driven just out of town, not far, to walk over the hill in the open and had not passed anyone. On the way back however, they were stopped by the Police and shouted at by a policewoman about breaking the rules.
So now they have to try to squeeze past walkers and cyclists on the narrow alleys and pavements in town.
I’m worried that vulnerable people like them are being put at risk in this manner.
They should have lodged a formal complaint because the officer concerned was not following national guidelines.
The official police guidelines, which have been widely published in the media, make it clear that driving to take exercise IS permissible. The official guidelines can be seen here:
https://www.college.police.uk/What-we-do/COVID-19/Documents/What-constitutes-a-reasonable-excuse.pdf
The only restriction is that the drive should not be significantly longer than the exercise itself. i.e. Driving from Bembridge to Freshwater for a short walk would not be acceptable.
The experience you describe above demonstrates clearly why this national guidance was issued and the consequences when the police do not follow it.
Totally agree with you in principle.
BUT – there is no effective impartial way to have a complaint dealt with. All that happens is a colleague in the same happy team will just report back that nothing wrong happened at all. How could it be otherwise when all parties involved work together sharing the same kettle at tea break time.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti-police but the IoW police are such a close-knit group, how could they be chatting along together one minute sharing a cuppa and in the next minute one say “by the way I’m investigating a complaint against you. Pass the biscuits”
Not going to work is it?
The police would be better employed at the ferry terminals checking who is coming onto the island and why and turning back all those on unnecessary journeys instead of shouting at people who are obviously doing the sensible thing and trying to keep their distance from others. If driving a little way is their only option, so he it
This will be the days to ‘wish for’ once lock down ends. Such an increase will be desirable within a few short weeks of people albeit given a token gesture mask, and dubious ‘instructions’ of how to stay safe, much as we were given in ‘Protect and survive’ in the 80’s whilst under the threat of Nuclear war. One being to take off your door to hide behind!
HMG KNOW many more will die, BUT have now equipped hospitals so we can die in such, in relative secrecy, and become more numbers, not real people, thus causing less distress to the wider public, but more importantly for HMG to not then ruin their Party’s or the UK’s image to the watching world, which would certainly happen IF we died at home as the hospital could not then fit in all those needing care.
Governments do what is best for them firstly, and IF it coincidently is good for us, then so much the better, if not, it happens anyway
No – the whole strategy is to avoid deaths by carefully monitoring the situation and relaxing restrictions where and when it is safe to do so.
There is, of course, the need to ensure that the cure is not worse than the disease. Many people are already suffering physical, mental and financial hardship as a result of the lock down.
For many the impact of the measures will last a very long time. Some will never recover and, sadly, some have already died as a direct result of the lock down.
No course of action is without risk.
We have to trust the government to navigate the difficult course out of the current situation but they should be fully aware that the public will hold them to account should they fail to do so.
Mark do you not ‘see’ that as only one person infected the whole world, then UNTIL there are less than ‘one’ infected person, in other words zero, the whole of society is still likely to catch this once we are free to mingle?
Whilst masks and distancing will slow the spread, it only takes ONE person to do ONE careless or unlucky thing over the next year pus IF a vaccine is ever found, to start the whole thing off again.
Ten times more catching than flu.
So, imo, all Governments can do, is as they have done, fill hospitals with beds to allow the know huge amount yet to die, to do so in hospital. Far less harrowing for the patient, their loved ones, and, not coincidently the Government who would indeed NOT survive the next general election if the masses could not be admitted into a hospital to end their last days. The press would have a feeding frenzy of how the Tories destroyed the NHS etc, and they know they would never recover from such.
Hence imo, that ‘is’ the plan.
Yes I have to say I’m dreading the lock down ending. It is bad enough now with what seems like far too many people everywhere. You can’t get away from them.
pathetic – you really have been spoon fed by media – key workers have been out and at work everyday – it is ok for them but not for you eh.
I am not dreading it ending – the sooner the better.
Please stop calling people pathetic. You seem to have no idea what it is like trying to cope with severe anxiety. It is bad enough at the best of times, trying to keep out of crowds of people, now with the worry about what even more dangerous germs they might be carrying it is even worse. Not everyone is happy to be crowded out by other people and our world in the west is not geared at all to more sensitive people who really just want a quiet life away from crowds and noise.
I know I am not the only one to think so, but our voices are not usually heard, we are the silent ones who dare not speak because we are shouted down by the majority.
Went to Morrison’s Lake this morning no control on numbers when you went in, once in it was almost like a normal
day before the virus. Feel sorry for the staff won’t go again until controls back.
Apparently Newport Morrisons is the same too.
At least in Waitrose they only allow a limited number in at a time, one person can go in, and the next has to wait until they are ushered in by security, and the distancing is clearly marked out on the ground.
In store there are barriers so you can’t just walk anywhere you like, it is all quite orderly. I certainly feel safer shopping there than in the Co Op in Ryde where they try to make sure there is distancing but it is not really ordered like in Waitrose, and even some of the staff come right up too close to you in Co op.
I was going to write a long diatribe about people. Those that are out without legitimate excuse are selfish, smug, complacent idiots. This pandemic is not over, not by a long shot
…all except yourself of course,
but are all illegitimate in your eyes…
In reality you might just find that we are all much the same, just getting some food and exercise..
@moran – glad you didn’t waste your time writing much.
“Past the peak” Apparently not !
Past ? Shouldn’t it be passed .
We’ve seen a big increase in traffic this last week, we live in a cul-de-sac; some neighbours are driving past as much as 4-5 times a day. Social distancing seems to be a thing of the past, after picking up shopping we came past St Mary’s roadworks, workmen in groups of 3-4 not conforming to the guidelines. We are not going to get rid of this virus until we all conform to the guidelines.
As others have said, matters not in the broader picture.
The British Government know that they can’t keep lockdown UNTIL a vaccine is found as the economy, the NHS everything will be bankrupt if so.
So they have only forced such upon us to fully equip the UK’s hospitals as best they can.
So, soon, when THEY the Government say lockdown is over, then people will oblige, so, it is of no more risk to do so now than then, provided we observe distancing rules.
Many people think for themselves now, rightly or wrongly, and the mindset of the younger members of the public are not so subservient as more mature Islanders.
Hence they won’t be told what to do, as the generation of those ‘sent over the top’ to face certain slaughter once did, just because a man richer, or wearing a suit tells them to.
Whilst not agreeing with this new attitude fully, I do admire the non sheep mindset of the young in not having blind faith in politicians who, as we see are as crooked, scamming, sly and as greedy as the rest of society, and will instruct the masses to do what ‘they’ wish, yet ignore such rules themselves. A good example that Cowes week goes ahead, yet Cowes Carnival is cancelled.
People have had enough of such, and it is hard to blame them.
The politicians of course always try to convince people it is done in ‘their’ best interests, when it is often ‘in’ the politicians ilk’s best interests.
You can be sure, if CV only effected the working class the world would never have been furloughed at all. Just this time, cash doesn’t fully prevent this vile virus killing.
I’m not so sure that the Isle of Wight and areas like Portsmouth and Southampton have reached the peak. The infection rate in these areas appears to be going up, at the moment, and I don’t think it is totally due to additional testing.
I would only lift lock down in areas that I was sure had reached their peak, however, having said that the traffic between Ryde and Newport has certainly got a lot busier – a lot of urgent shopping!
@Gale
you are only making your assessment from the spoon fed media that everyone is reading.
everyone is going out, because they are fed up with the governments BS on this -and it is time we got on with life, instead of listening to self serving politicians
no one cares anymore – the virus isn’t going anywhere, ever – get on with life.
122 cases that have gone through the hospital. That would only be 5% of all cases on the island. When the admissions stop for 14 days then we can say we are safe.
Hardly, as all that could mean is those still ill with CV may only have the mild form, so as soon as they spread it to others, those could die.