Pressure on NHS intensive care has started to ease for the first time since the second wave of coronavirus took off and Test and Trace data shows cases of the disease are down 41 per cent in a fortnight. All key metrics now indicate the darkest days of the winter crisis are behind us, with the … Read more
Boris Johnson tonight warned that Britain cannot close its borders completely to prevent mutant coronavirus strains getting in as he revealed details of ‘quarantine hotels’ will finally be announced tomorrow. The PM insisted ‘shutting ourselves off completely’ is not an option because the countries relies heavily on imports of food and medicine. But he said … Read more
Oxford’s Covid vaccine could save tens of thousands of lives because it can cut the likelihood of catching coronavirus and passing it on by around two thirds, scientists say. Modelling produced by SAGE members from Warwick University predicted that more than 150,000 more people could die in 2021 if lockdown rules were lifted in March … Read more
Matt Hancock today insisted UK border rules will get tougher to protect against mutant coronavirus strains – but refused to give a date when ‘quarantine hotels’ will be up and running. The Health Secretary defended the current ‘stringent’ measures – but made clear that even harsher arrangements are in the pipeline. ‘We are also … Read more
Boris Johnson today insisted lockdown is working and vaccines are effective against coronavirus variants – as he held out hopes summer holidays can happen this year. The PM struck a positive tone as he visited a vaccination site in Yorkshire, saying there was evidence of a ‘flattening and maybe even a falling off of infection … Read more
Britain could be back to something close to pre-coronavirus life as soon as the summer thanks to the UK’s vaccine juggernaut, a top scientist said today. Professor Mike Tildesley, an infectious disease expert and member of the Sage advisory panel, said the jab could introduce huge changes within months if the rollout continues apace. And … Read more
Boris Johnson today insisted lockdown is working and vaccines are effective against coronavirus variants – but warned it is too early to take our ‘foot off the throat of the beast’. The PM struck a positive tone as he visited a vaccination site in Yorkshire, saying there was evidence of a ‘flattening and maybe even … Read more
Ministers should urge people to wear facemasks OUTSIDE in parks and other crowded public areas, SAGE experts say Ministers being urged to encourage wearing of face coverings in outdoor areas Sage papers say rules should be tightened to slow the spread of the Kent variant Ability of face covering to block transmission difficult to quantify, … Read more
Social distancing may remain in place until the end of the year – while coronavirus vaccines would have to be 85 per cent effective to prevent a surge in deaths if restrictions were totally relaxed, scientists warned today. Modelling passed to Downing Street warns that the UK could see a large spike in deaths if … Read more
SAGE urges No10 to make face masks compulsory outdoors in crowded areas to help stop the spread of super-infectious Kent variant Recommendation on January said advice on masks should be ‘strengthened’ SAGE called for people to consider wearing them outside in crowded areas In face of new variant mask wearing even more ‘important mitigation strategy’ … Read more