New Scientist on R number

Yes I think you are right.

We are beginning to lessen our out and about. Being more careful

I have a dental appointment: have either chipped a tooth or lost a bit of filling (and I’d been so careful). Then my flu/pneumonia vaccine at Boots. Then it’s back to shielding for the duration.

MayBee70

I have a dental appointment: have either chipped a tooth or lost a bit of filling (and I’d been so careful). Then my flu/pneumonia vaccine at Boots. Then it’s back to shielding for the duration.

You’re lucky to have an appointment. My dental check up was due August, but cancelled, and was told to ring in September. When I rang, was told the situation was the same, please ring in the New Year.
I am like you, have either chipped a tooth or lost a filling, but when asked if it was painful, replied honestly that it wasn’t, so still waiting.

The 7 day rolling average on 19 August in my district was 3.8 new daily cases per 100,000. It's now increased to 21.9 per 100,000, which is still relatively low, but is a massive increase. It could be higher because many people can't get tests. There must be hundreds of schoolchildren who have been sent home. Three local schools are now totally or partially closed. I don't know the reason, but it seems to have given people the message to be more vigilant.

At least we now know the areas which have the highest numbers, which during the worst of the pandemic we didn’t, due to our testing debacle. Now the testing seems to be reasonably on track, though it’s not without difficulties at times.
The numbers are certainly rising in every area, although I live in an area with low transmission at the moment. How long will that last though? It’s all very worrying, and I particularly worry about the children. This has been, and looks to continue being a very stressful time and this will be reflected on to them. I’m sure there will be repercussions in the mental health of the children in our nation sooner or later.

I'm in one of the areas which are having their restrictions increased on Tuesday, no home visits inside or out. I woke this morning feeling really fed up, though I know it has to be done. The flu season starts soon which will muddy the waters a bit. Hope it all dies down asap.

maddyone The testing system is nowhere near on track, according to the people on my local Facebook groups. There have been dozens of posts over the last few days of people at their wit's end. People are in limbo with children off school and parents who can't work, because they just don't know whether they're infected. Schools are refusing to symptomatic children until they've had a negative result and, to make matters worse, some test centres won't test people under 18. The case numbers ate likely to be higher than quoted.

The numbers are only as accurate as the numbers who actually get tested. There will be masses who just do not feel or show symptoms but will be out and about spreading the virus. Don't rely on the figures.

My dental surgery is now ‘back in track’ and we are getting our regular dentist and hygienist appointments as before.

As for testing, my daughter felt a little unwell last week and was sent a test through the post which arrived the next day, and she has already received the result - negative, thankfully.

My two year old grandson was tested a couple of weeks ago, and the result came back one day later, negative. He actually had tonsillitis which caused a high temperature, and which his parents suspected, but had to get the test to confirm his Covid19 status. Likewise my son developed a cough, had a test, negative.
There are some problems with the testing. I think it’s primarily in areas of high transmission such as some of the cities in the north.

I copied and pasted thus from a local Facebook group just a few minutes ago. There have been more posts in just the past few minutes. People are getting very frustrated.

4allweknow, you are right, there will be asymptotic people about, so we must continue to take all reasonable precautions. I think most Gransnetters already do this. Wear a mask, use sanitiser, avoid crowded places, wash hands immediately upon returning home etc.

maddyone I most definitely don't live in the north.

Who do we ring if we feel unwell.
111, or 119, or 999, or g.p. Surgery.

Also, is it true you have to book an appointment for the A and E at hospital. Or can you just turn up as usual.

Well, if any of the middle aged/elderly people in my area who congregate outside pubs and cafes are GNers, they don't wear masks or keep their distance.

Growstuff,
I don’t live in the north either, any longer at any rate, but I continue to take all reasonable precautions, as I’m certain you do too. We must keep ourselves as safe as possible. Numbers of transmission are definitely rising, although considerably fewer than when the pandemic was raging across the country.

I do

I wear a mask whenever outside my home, if I’m in an indoor space, apart from when visiting my elderly mother, who is in a bubble with us. I avoid crowds when out and about, but it is clear many others don’t, and they seem to be in all age groups.

Sorry I live in the North and I fear for our community

maddyone

Growstuff,
I don’t live in the north either, any longer at any rate, but I continue to take all reasonable precautions, as I’m certain you do too. We must keep ourselves as safe as possible. Numbers of transmission are definitely rising, although considerably fewer than when the pandemic was raging across the country.

But you wrote: "There are some problems with the testing. I think it’s primarily in areas of high transmission such as some of the cities in the north."

I know it's only anecdotal, but there are certainly problems with testing here (not in the north) and threads like the one I posted from Facebook have been going on for days.

The increase in new cases is actually rising much faster here than even at the height of the pandemic in March/April. Hopefully, it's a blip, but if it continues rising exponentially, we're in trouble.

I'm afraid to say I think this is like quicksand - we are in much deeper than we think. The authorities failed to act when the signal came. The time to jump on it was the moment the DIRECTION of the trend changed - instead of which they waited for weeks while it gathered momentum. So, like the first time, numbers are higher than might have been and it will take longer to beat the outbreak back. So we olders have to think for ourselves. Was gritting my teeth yesterday at the party next door. In their 80s and had a lovely barbie with their 3 adult married children and grandchildren from 3 different areas of the country! Sigh.

Perhaps I am fortunate to have a good NHS dentist - had a 6 monthly checkup in August and an xray, the checkup was done manually so that he did not have to use the water spray . However if there had been a problem he would have treated me

Greciangirl

Who do we ring if we feel unwell.
111, or 119, or 999, or g.p. Surgery.

Also, is it true you have to book an appointment for the A and E at hospital. Or can you just turn up as usual.

Quickest way to know for sure is in your surgery website.
Mine gives clear instructions on what to do. One is not to ring the surgery.