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Novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) is a strain of coronavirus causing COVID-19, first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China towards the end of 2019. Other coronavirus infections include the common cold (HCoV 229E, NL63, OC43 and HKU1), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
As of 29 September 2020, there have been 33 423 469 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and the unfortunate milestone of over 1 million deaths globally was reached in this month (ECDC, 2020).
The Americas have the most cases and deaths internationally.
England had the highest excess all-cause mortality rate among 23 European countries in the first 5 months of 2020 compared with 2015–19, followed by Spain and Scotland. England also had the second highest peak of excess all-cause mortality after Spain, and the longest period of excess deaths (Raleigh S, 2020).
It is now clear that COVID-19 will be with us for some time to come, and that services should continue to build on the resilience and teamworking that has been demonstrated throughout the first wave, to continue to provide safe and personalised care to women and families (RCOG et al, September 2020).
