WE MAY be in the clutches of winter and in the midst of a third national lockdown, but there have been some positive stories to share.

While the short-term future still appears dreary, some green shoots of good news have sprung up this week. 

Covid-19 vaccinations have begun at the BIC

Bournemouth Echo: Covid vaccines at the BICCovid vaccines at the BIC

Weeks of effort and organisation came to fruition on Monday, January 18 as the BIC hosted its first Covid-19 vaccinations.

Southbourne resident Valentyna Dubova, 83, was at the front of the queue for the afternoon session.

The capacity at the BIC will gradually increase over the course of the next few weeks to deliver more than 9,000 jabs a week.

Bournemouth Echo: Covid vaccines at the BICCovid vaccines at the BIC

Staff will be operating the centre 12 hours a day, seven days a week as the national effort to rollout the vaccine progresses.

University Hospitals Dorset has discharged 47 Covid-19 patients since the start of 2021

Despite the growing number of Covid-19 cases in Dorset, a postive figure has been shared.

As of Thursday, January 21, 47 patients who contracted coronavirus have been discharged from University Hospitals Dorset's hospitals since the start of the year.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, a total of 761 people have been discharged after suffering from Covid-19 across all of UHD's hospitals.

During this time, 412 patients have been discharged from Royal Bournemouth Hospital and 349 have been discharged from Poole Hospital.

A fundraising father has put pen to paper for Wessex Heartbeat 

Mark Ind, whose son Alex was born with a serious heart condition – has written his first book, Fifty Days of Lockdown – a personal account of his family’s unique experience of lockdown.

Bournemouth Echo: Mark Ind at his book signing Mark Ind at his book signing

Mark and his family have raised more than £100,000 for Wessex Heartbeat, in an ongoing act of gratitude for the care and support given to Alex.

A percentage of his book sales will be going to the regional cardiac charity.

The first-time author continues to fundraise for the organisation that holds a special place in his heart.