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More than half of hospitals have opened extra beds to help them cope with the NHS winter crisis amid an influx of patients with potentially fatal breathing problems.On the one hand, this shows how 'normal' a bad flu season is, and the demands this puts on hospitals. On the other, it suggests COVID-19 was already driving a spike in NHS resources by late November 2019.
Many of the so-called escalation beds are already occupied by people suffering from flu, pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbated by the arrival of very cold weather in many parts of the UK.
The British Thoracic Society (BTS), which represents specialist lung doctors and nurses, has found that 52% of UK hospitals have already created extra bed capacity to help them prepare for the imminent surge in winter demand.
The streets of Cardiff and Swansea were deserted on Saturday as pubs and restaurants closed and people stayed at home as the stark reality of social distancing became clear.
But popular tourist sites like Pen y Fan, Snowdon, Barry Island, Porthcawl and Cardiff's Roath Park were busy, leaving some concerned that social distancing was not being effectively practised. And mountain rescuers warned they cannot guarantee help amid the coronavirus crisis.
Hundreds of cars lined the roads around Snowdon and Pen y Fan as people sought to get fresh air and exercises but stayed away from city centres.
At Snowdon, hundreds of cars were parked in car parks and along roads, as numerous walkers hiked up Wales' biggest mountain. But they were warned they were putting themselves and mountain rescuers at risk as the covid-19 outbreak escalates.
Expressing his shock at the scene on Facebook, one man said: "I'm one for going round Snowdonia a lot. And I mean a lot... but I have never, ever seen cars parked along the Pass like this."
He added: "Absolutely shocked me, this has."
At Barry Island, people appeared to be well spaced out on the beach but were close together as they queued at a nearby fish and chips booth.
On Saturday afternoon, it emerged that a further 89 cases of coronavirus Covid-19 had been confirmed in Wales and two people with the virus had died. One area of Wales saw a significantly higher spike than others and now has more than half of all the country's cases.
The city centres were a different story, however. In Cardiff, St David's Shopping Centre, usually bustling with shoppers and tourists at the weekend, was almost empty as more and more shops closed their doors in light of the coronavirus pandemic. John Lewis announced it was closing all its stores.
The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced a package of measures on Friday, March 20, to ensure that employee would continue to be paid up to 80% of their wages if they could no longer work because of the impact of coronavirus.
Car parks, usually full to capacity at the weekend, were deserted of vehicles and silent as footfall was reduced to almost nothing within 24 hours of the latest government guidance.
Many people would normally take the opportunity to shop for essentials at the weekend, but larger stores that would usually be bustling were empty on Saturday.
Not everywhere is closing though, supermarkets are still battling with increased demand and panic-buying as queues stretch into the car parks of stores this weekend.
Many supermarkets are reserving their first hour of trading for the elderly and key NHS workers, in an attempt to get food and essential supplies to those most in need and most at risk during the coronavirus pandemic.
On the WalesOnline Facebook page, people have been commenting on the large numbers of people, especially elderly people, out shopping or queuing to get in.
Comment: Russia has sent 4 of 9 planned military transport ships containing supplies to Italy, as ordered by Putin.
Moscow's mayor says the metro system will stay operational no matter what. Russian PM Mishustin warned companies against firing employees during the crisis, saying that if they did so, they would be receiving a visit from labor inspection, the federal tax service and the prosecutor's office. The Italian Army is helping to move victims' bodies to lesser-hit regions to help solve the burden on existing services in the hardest-hit locales. India is holding a "self-curfew drill" for 14 hours. German cases rose by around 2,000 in one day (death toll reportedly 55), and gatherings of more than 2 people have been banned. New York's death toll is 114, with 4,800 new cases. Spain's alleged death toll rose almost 400, with cases at 28,000 (again, it doesn't seem that Spain is actually testing, so these figures are probably overblown). France reported their first covid-related death of a hospital doctor. Beirut has been put on lockdown. The UAE suspended all passenger flights. Placido Domingo tested positive.
How long will the lockdowns last? That's the "million dollar question", according to the Belgian health minister. NYC Mayor de Blasio warns that hospitals are 10 days away from shortages of essential supplies. Mnuchin says "Nobody knew Covid-19 would take off like it did", predicting a 10- to 12-week situation. Japan and the IOC are resisting pressure to postpone the Olympics this summer. Croatia has deployed the army to clean debris after their strongest earthquake in 140 years, reminding people to maintain social distancing. Bogota prison in Colombia rioted, leaving 23 dead and 83 injured. French medics are suing top officials for their "negligent response" to the virus.
Iran's Khamenei had this to say: Well, if the Americans created the virus, maybe it didn't come out the way they wanted it to?
The latest from the WHO: Why don't the WHO want countries to know how many people actually have the virus? Because it would contradict what they've been saying, perhaps? It might contradict the rationale for mass vaccination, for instance, if a LOT of people have it, and are already immune.
UPDATE: Merkel is in quarantine after meeting an infected doctor. Italy recorded another 651 "corona-related deaths" (i.e., already sick people who died while testing positive, not necessarily from pneumonia). Nashville has ordered all non-essential businesses closed and ordered a "safer at home" order for 14 days.
The UAE-based international airline, Emirates, reversed its decision to suspend passenger flights, saying that it will continue flights to certain destinations as long as there is a demand and borders remain open. Syria's health minister announced that the first case of the virus has reached the war-torn country. In Italy the first Russian cargo of medics and supplies has landed.
In a slightly amusing slip of the tongue (or Freudian slip?) during a Trump press conference, the FEMA head vowed to "attack the health and safety of Americans" before quickly correcting himself. Canada and Australia announced that they will not send any athletes (who have been training for almost 4 years) to the Tokyo Olympics this summer. That is a decision that should be up to each individual athlete. Instead all those athletes will be deprived of what may their only chance at Olympic competition, all because of some virtue-signaling politicians.
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