Passport Renewal Processing

I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post this but I couldn't find a better category.

I applied to renew my passport which has reached the HMPO and have got the notification that it is being processed. However, this update was on the 17th of March. I was wondering whether anyone else had recently applied for a passport or if anyone knows anything about a time frame to receive a passport? Especially with the assumed implications that COVID-19 has probably had on staff at the HMPO.

I need my passport to apply for Student Finance so it's pretty urgent.

Hey I applied for my passport at the start of March and received my new one within the same week. Something doesn't seem right. I suggest calling them up to find out what happens as it's almost been a month.

Hey, I wanted to call them but on the website it says they're currently only taking calls if you're a government worker or if someone has died aboard so I didn't want to take advantage of the situation.

Ahh okay, email?