Coronavirus UK news update – South Africa & Brazil variants are FALLING in the UK as all adults to be vaccinated by JULY
DEADLY mutant Covid variants from South African and Brazil are falling in the UK as vaccination efforts soar.
Matt Hancock this morning said there was evidence that the stricter measures – including contact tracing and stricter border measures – had slowed the spread of the new strains.
Speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sunday, he said: "We've now got a much stronger vigilance in place, because everybody coming into the country has to be tested and we sequence the results of those tests.
"And we've also got a very strong set of actions working with the local authorities very specifically in the areas where a new variant is found.
"We hit it hard and send in enhanced contact-tracing and go door-to-door.
"We've now got this programme in place to be able to really, really try to stamp out a new variant where we see it. There is evidence that is working."
This comes as the PM is confident he can speed up the vaccination programme to free the country from lockdown sooner than planned.
He said: "I want to see the roll-out go further and faster in the coming weeks.
“We will now aim to offer a jab to every adult by the end of July, helping us protect the most vulnerable sooner, and take further steps to ease some of the restrictions in place."
Follow our coronavirus live blog below for the very latest news and updates on the pandemic…
- Joseph Gamp
US COVID DEATH TOLL REACHES HALF A MILLION
The United States has today reached the grim milestone of 500,000 Covid-related deaths since the start of the pandemic.
It comes as the nation's top virus expert Dr Anthony Fauci warned people will have to be wearing masks well into 2022 in a crisis he described as "historic".
Read more here.
- Joseph Gamp
SURGE TESTING TO BE DEPLOYED IN BRENTWOOD, ESSEX
Surge testing will be deployed in another British town following the discovery of the South Africa coronavirus variant.
Brentwood, in Essex, will have additional testing made available after a single case of the strain was identified today.
Anyone living within the CM13 postcode area is encouraged to take a test when offered, regardless of whether they have symptoms.
Infections have fallen sharply in Brentwood, which now has a case rate of 79 cases per 100,000 people in the week up to February 15, according to government data.
Prior to the third lockdown, the area had one of Britain’s highest infection rates with a staggering 1,107 cases per 100,000 people in the week ending December 21.
- Joseph Gamp
PM TO SET OUT 'CAUTIOUS' ROAD MAP FOR EASING CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS – HANCOCK
Boris Johnson will set out a "cautious" plan to relax coronavirus restrictions when he unveils his road map out of lockdown, the Health Secretary has said, despite an accelerated target to offer vaccines to all adults by the end of July.
The Prime Minister will outline his blueprint for easing the stringent measures in England to Parliament on Monday, amid a clamour of warnings from scientists to act gradually and calls from some Tory MPs to lift all legal restrictions by May.
Matt Hancock insisted that, despite the success of the vaccine rollout so far, and the "understandable" urge to return to normal life, the Government's goal is to take a "cautious but irreversible approach".
In a series of broadcast interviews on Sunday morning, he said there will be "weeks between the steps" so ministers can "watch carefully" the impact of each relaxation of the restrictions.
Mr Hancock said that one in three adults in the UK has now received a coronavirus vaccine, and that the Government is confident it has the supplies to meet the July 31 target and to vaccinate all adults over 50, and higher risk groups, by April 15.
- Joseph Gamp
ONE THIRD OF UK ADULT POPULATION RECEIVED FIRST VACCINE JAB
A third (33.4%) of the UK adult population has now been given the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, latest figures show.
Government data up to February 20 shows that of the 18,197,269 jabs given in the UK so far, 17,582,121 were first doses – a rise of 334,679 on the previous day.
Some 615,148 were second doses, an increase of 10,263 on figures released the previous day.
- Joseph Gamp
STARMER CALLS FOR ALL PUPILS TO BE BACK IN ENGLAND'S SCHOOLS ON MARCH 8
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has rejected pressure from unions to call for a phased return of schools, arguing that "ideally" all children should be back in England's classrooms on March 8.
Sir Keir said he hoped Boris Johnson would set out a "cautious, careful" exit from lockdown when the Prime Minister publishes his road map on Monday but the full return of schools should be the aim.
Sir Keir told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "Ideally, I'd like to see all schools back open on 8th March and all children back in school on March 8.
"I've been worried through the pandemic, a number of people have, about the impact that being out of school has on particularly vulnerable children and the attainment gap is getting bigger, so ideally March 8.
"We'll have to see obviously where the data is, see where the science is, but that's what we should be working towards. If that means more testing, if that means Nightingale classrooms, if it means other measures, let's do that because I want to get our kids back into school."
- Joseph Gamp
BORIS JOHNSON PLEDGES ALL ADULTS TO BE OFFERED COVID VACCINE BY JULY 31
Boris Johnson pledges all adults to be offered Covid vaccine by July 31
- Joseph Gamp
BORIS JOHNSON TO ADDRESS THE NATION AT 7PM TOMORROW
Boris Johnson will chair a meeting of senior ministers on Sunday, known as the “Covid S” committee, to finalise his lockdown roadmap before it is signed off by the Cabinet on Monday.
He will then unveil the plans to MPs in the Commons later that afternoon and is expected to lead a Downing Street press conference on Monday evening.
Mr Johnson will first speak to MPs in the House of Commons at 3.30pm tomorrow to explain his approach.
He will later address the nation at 7pm during a Downing Street press conference.
- Joseph Gamp
TONY BLAIR GETS VACCINATED
Former prime minister Tony Blair has received his Covid vaccine.
The former Labour leader was pictured getting the jab at Lord cricket ground in London on Saturday morning.
A tweet read: "Big thank you to the NHS, the wonderful people who staffed the Lords cricket ground facility – brilliantly organised.
"Made me proud of our country -Tony Blair."
- Joseph Gamp
UK COVID-19 CASES AND DEATHS PER DAY
- Hana Carter
LOWEST DAILY DEATH TOLL SINCE CHRISTMAS
Britain has recorded its lowest daily death toll since Christmas – with another 215 fatalities reported today.
Cases rose by 9,834, bringing the total to 4,115,509.
Today’s rise in fatalities brings the total number since the beginning of the pandemic to 120,580.
It is smaller than the 258 deaths recorded last Sunday, and far below the 373 deaths reported on February 7.
And it is also the lowest rise since December 13, which saw 144 fatalities.
- Hana Carter
ESSEX TESTING
Surge testing will be deployed in another British town following the discovery of the South Africa coronavirus variant.
Brentwood, in Essex, will have additional testing made available after a single case of the strain was identified today.
Anyone living within the CM13 postcode area is encouraged to take a test when offered, regardless of whether they have symptoms.
Infections have fallen sharply in Brentwood, which now has a case rate of 79 cases per 100,000 people in the week up to February 15, according to government data.
Prior to the third lockdown, the area had one of Britain's highest infection rates with a staggering 1,107 cases per 100,000 people in the week ending December 21.
- Hana Carter
GLASSES-WEARERS THREE TIMES LESS LIKELY TO CATCH COVID
Wearing glasses makes you up to three times less likely to catch Covid, a study has found.
Researchers found people with spectacles rub and touch their eyes less, which is a “significant route of infection”.
The analysis also found poor and uneducated people are more likely to get the virus – partly because they don’t wear glasses as much.
According to the report, published in India, people touch their faces 23 times an hour and their eyes three times an hour on average.
Touching and rubbing of the eyes with contaminated hands may be a significant route of infection for the virus - Hana Carter
LONDON HAS HIGHEST RATES IN THE WORLD
A London area has one of the highest Covid case rates in the WORLD, a report has suggested.
In Stamford Hill's 15,000-strong Jewish Orthodox community, two-thirds of people have been infected with coronavirus.
Research by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has found that the community has had one of the highest reported rates of past Covid-19 infection “in the world to date”.
The proportion of people who have tested positive for Covid in the UK is 7 per cent – but in Stamford Hill’s Jewish community, the figure stands at 65 per cent.
- Hana Carter
INDOOR DRINKING COULD HAPPEN IN MAY
Pubs could reopen for indoor drinks in May after outdoor services return in April under Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown.
The Prime Minister is said to be optimistic as he gets ready to unveil the “stairway” towards a normal life thanks to the rollout of the Covid jab.
Brits are tomorrow expected to be told they will be able to meet outside as either six people or two households in Boris' address at 7pm tomorrow.
The Sun understands the opening of outdoor pub areas is likely to be introduced in April as the PM finalises his roadmap over the next 24 hours.
- Hana Carter
FRANCE TO FACE TOUGHER RESTRICTIONS
Cities in France could face tougher restrictions – after the country rejected calls to go into a third lockdown earlier this year.
Health minister Olivier Veran admitted Covid infections are spreading rapidly and said further clampdowns on movement could be required in Nice and surrounding areas in the coming days.
A decision between tightening the existing curfew or partial lockdowns will be made this weekend, he told reporters this morning.
During a visit to a health centre in Nice, he said: "There are a few cities and areas in France where the virus is circulating much more quickly than elsewhere and this may require regional confinement measures."
- Britta Zeltmann
CROWDS OF MAY
Thousands of fans could be allowed to attend Euro 2020, Wimbledon and music festivals this summer with the introduction of rapid coronavirus tests, it has been reported.
According to The Sunday Times, large outdoor events and music festivals could be permitted towards the end of May – with ticket holders screened for the virus prior to entry.
Testing hopes have been boosted by the introduction of a new five-minute Covid test developed by British biotech firm Avacta.
Under one "ticket and test" scenario, the lateral flow tests would be sent out with tickets to live events and used the day beforehand — with a refund for a positive result. Read more here.
- Britta Zeltmann
WHEN WILL BORIS ADDRESS THE NATION?
Boris Johnson will chair a meeting of senior ministers on Sunday, known as the "Covid S" committee, to finalise his lockdown roadmap before it is signed off by the Cabinet on Monday.
He will then unveil the plans to MPs in the Commons later that afternoon and is expected to lead a Downing Street press conference on Monday evening.
Mr Johnson will first speak to MPs in the House of Commons at 3.30pm tomorrow to explain his approach.
He will later address the nation at 7pm during a Downing Street press conference.
- Britta Zeltmann
LONDON HOTSPOT
A London area has one of the highest Covid case rates in the world, a report has suggested.
In Stamford Hill's 15,000-strong Jewish Orthodox community, two-thirds of people have been infected with coronavirus -which is a staggering nine times the national average.
Research by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has found that the community has had one of the highest reported rates of past Covid-19 infection “in the world to date”.
The proportion of people who have tested positive for Covid in the UK is 7 per cent – but in Stamford Hill’s Jewish community, the figure stands at 65 per cent.
- Britta Zeltmann
16 MORE DEATHS IN WALES
There have been a further 336 cases of coronavirus in Wales, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 201,688.
Public Health Wales reported another 16 deaths, taking the total in the country since the start of the pandemic to 5,237.
Public Health Wales said a total of 860,083 first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine had now been given there, an increase of 6,179 from the previous day.
The agency said 37,773 second doses have also been given, an increase of 5,771.
- Hana Carter
SUMMER 'TOO LATE' FOR SOME BUSINESSES
Kate Nicholls, of UK Hospitality, said: “We need to be in the first phase of re-opening. Summer will be too late for many businesses.”
Seasonal workers will be waiting anxiously as up to 200,000 jobs are created ahead of Easter in caravan parks, hotels and holiday camps.
MPs are divided on when to lift lockdown. Covid “doves” fear the PM could be hit at the May 6 local elections if he opens up too soon.
But an anti-lockdown “hawk” said opening pubs and eateries before the election would “give us all a boost and be a vote winner”.
Our poll revealed a three-way split on lockdown lifting, with a third thinking the PM has the balance right and equal numbers believing he has been either too cautious or too impatient.
- Hana Carter
SURGE TESTING IN ESSEX
Surge testing is being rolled out in an area of Essex after a case of the South Africa coronavirus variant was found.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "Working in partnership with the local authority, additional testing and genomic sequencing is being deployed to the CM13 postcode in Brentwood, Essex, where a single case of the Covid-19 variant first identified in South Africa has been found."
People living in the postcode area are "strongly encouraged" to take a test when offered, whether or not they have any symptoms of the virus.
- Hana Carter
FESTIVALS AND SPORTS EVENTS COULD RESUME IN SUMMER
Thousands of fans could be allowed to attend Euro 2020, Wimbledon and music festivals this summer with the introduction of rapid coronavirus tests.
The government hopes that lateral flow tests could finally allow large outdoor events to resume this summer.
Music festivals and other large gatherings have been cancelled since the first lockdown in March last year, with social distancing measures remaining in place over the summer despite a fall in cases.
According to The Sunday Times, large outdoor events and music festivals could be permitted towards the end of May – with ticket holders screened for the virus prior to entry.
- Hana Carter
undefined - Hana Carter
BRAZIL AND SOUTH AFRICA VARIANTS ARE FALLING
Deadly mutant Covid variants from Brazil and South Africa are FALLING in the UK, Matt Hancock said today.
The Health Secretary this morning said there was evidence that the stricter measures – including contact tracing and stricter border measures – had slowed the spread of the new strains.
Speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sunday, he said: "We've now got a much stronger vigilance in place, because everybody coming into the country has to be tested and we sequence the results of those tests.
"And we've also got a very strong set of actions working with the local authorities very specifically in the areas where a new variant is found.
- Hana Carter
NON-ESSENTIAL SHOPS COULD STAY CLOSED UNTIL APRIL
Non-essential shops may not re-open until late April in the third stage of Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown, it has been reported.
The Prime Minister has drawn up a four-step plan to help ease Britain back to normal life, with the nation expected to move as one.
He will reveal dates to pencil in diaries tomorrow for the return of much-missed activities before all restrictions are lifted in a final leap.
Mr Johnson will outline a series of steps starting on March 8, when all schools will reopen and people will be able to sit down for a drink outside with their household, or with one friend or relative.
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