Update about Coronavirus (Covid-19): Highest daily number of Covid-19 deaths in the UK and hope for our young people as we launch a new youth empowerment digital platform - From Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz
Dear Newham Resident,
It’s been another dreadful day in the Coronavirus crisis: the UK has experienced its highest daily number of recorded deaths, with another 854 lives lost. The overall total of people who have died in the UK officially stands at 6,159, but we need to prepare for actual numbers revealing more.
That’s because there’s a time lag in deaths being reported by NHS Trusts, which only includes deaths in hospitals where tests confirm it was due to coronavirus; and deaths occurring in the community (for example in care homes), or where there’s been a delay in determining the cause of death by coroners.
In Newham, official recorded deaths still stands at 6, which is still the number I reported some two weeks ago. I can’t begin to think what the figures stand at now, and am dreading formal confirmation of the most up-to-date numbers, after which I’ll need to let residents know. As it is, confirmed infections in Newham stand at 535 people, up 5 from yesterday.
My thoughts to every one of you who have suffered illness or devastating loss.
Every day it becomes clearer that we need to all do all we can to stop the spread on this virus, which is why #StayAtHome is so important. It’s hard for all of us, and even harder for young people who’ll be enjoying not being at school, but can’t hang out with their mates.
It’s the Easter this weekend, and our youngsters would ordinarily be enjoying the half term break, but this year none of the holiday activities, clubs, outings or cinema are open for them to use. That includes our Youth Zones which have had to close in line with government lock-down requirements. But we’ve created a virtual alternative!
This week, we’ll be launching our new Youth Empowerment Digital, offering our young people a range of online activities to support their health and wellbeing; alongside a range of fun, immersive personal and emotional development experiences. Using the Zoom platform, young people will have the opportunity to come together in a safe virtual space to access daily virtual hang-outs, online workshops, vlog sharing spaces, a movie streaming club, and daily chat rooms featuring themes like “worry buster” and “lockdown living”.
It’s been designed in collaboration with young people, and we’ve also worked with experts from the NSPCC and Youth Scotland to make it safe as well as an awesome platform.
Once this pandemic is over, Youth Empowerment Digital will continue to feature as a core part of our exciting new youth provision in the borough, complementing our youth clubs, such as the flagship arts-based Youth Zone based at the Stratford Circus building.
So while it’s been a day of sadness, we’re providing a ray of sunshine for our young ones.
Stay safe and stay well.