How will the storage requirements of the Pfizer vaccine affect the programme? The vaccine must be stored at -70C to be effective, meaning it can only be delivered to GPs with the facilities to keep it at that temperature. It will be difficult to administer in care homes. Deputy chief medical officer professor Jonathan Van-Tam said: “This … Read more
Coronavirus restrictions will remain in place across Northern Ireland for six more weeks, the first minister confirmed on Jan 21. A further review of restrictions is expected on Feb 18, but ministers have been advised that lockdown may remain in place throughout the Easter holidays. Arlene Foster emphasised that the future of restrictions was yet … Read more
The White House’s top adviser on Covid-19 has said he feels liberated now that Donald Trump has left office – because now he can finally tell Americans the truth about the virus. In extraordinary remarks to reporters at a briefing on the virus, Anthony Fauci said that President Joe Biden’s administration would be “completely transparent, … Read more
Fines of £800 will be slapped on people caught at house parties as part of tougher measures to crack down on illegal gatherings during the pandemic. The penalty, coming into force next week, will apply for groups of over 15 people and will double after each offence up to a maximum of £6,400 for repeat … Read more
Schools will get two weeks notice before they reopen, Gavin Williamson has said, as he appeared to suggest a delay to mid-February plans. The Education Secretary, who is under fire for constant U-turns and last minute decisions, told Sky News: “We have been wanting to give people as much notice as possible.” Asked if that … Read more
Scotland lockdown: what are the latest Covid rules under the ‘stay at home’ order? Source link
UK experts have designed a new type of ventilator that may allow more patients with severe Covid-19 to be treated outside of intensive care. The researchers said that their device, known as exovent, is more comfortable for the patient, cheaper than those currently being used in intensive care units (ICU), and requires fewer staffing resources … Read more
Travel latest news: Biden blocks Trump’s plan to lift US-UK travel restrictions Source link
Bubbles People may still form a childcare bubble, through which they can provide or receive childcare from one other household if they live with a child under 14. Support bubbles also remain permissible. A person is eligible to form a support bubble if they live alone, if their household includes a child under the age … Read more
Angela Merkel and leaders of Germany’s 16 states are expected today to extend and tighten a partial lockdown beyond January, as fears grow over virus variant strains believed to be more contagious. Germany closed restaurants, leisure and sporting facilities in November, then expanded the shutdown in mid-December to include schools and most shops to halt a … Read more
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Those who repeatedly break quarantine in Germany may now find themselves forced to move to detention centres, under new rules prepared by regional authorities. Plans to detain repeat rule breakers have been confirmed by the eastern state of Saxony, which will use a fenced-off section of a refugee camp as a holding pen. The repurposed camp … Read more
Health authorities quarantined two hotels and closed ski schools in the posh Swiss resort of St Moritz on Monday to try to curb an outbreak of the highly infections new coronavirus variant. The eastern canton of Grisons ordered everyone to wear masks in the town of 5,200 that prides itself as a birthplace of modern winter sports. … Read more
Mexico posted its second straight day of more than 20,000 coronavirus cases on Saturday, suggesting a surge in a country already struggling in many areas with overflowing hospitals. There were 20,523 newly confirmed cases Saturday after 21,366 infections were reported on Friday. That was about double the daily rate of increase just a week ago. Reporting normally … Read more
“There is no oxygen and lots of people are dying. If anyone has any oxygen, please bring it to the clinic. There are so many people dying”, a medical worker was filmed pleading in a widely shared video from the region last week. Virologists are not sure why so many new variants of the virus … Read more
Can mobile hairdressers still work? With the introduction of a third national lockdown, all hairdressers, even mobile services, must halt business. What happens if I had an appointment booked during lockdown? If you had an appointment booked which falls into the lockdown period, it will have been cancelled and rescheduled. What financial support will hairdressers get? For businesses that … Read more
Salisbury Cathedral will open its doors to people aged over 80 receiving the Covid-19 vaccine on Saturday. The historic site, which was built 800 years ago, will become a venue for the Sarum South Primary Care Network Covid-19 local vaccination service. Local GPs have invited patients in the over-80s priority group to attend the cathedral … Read more
Travellers from across South America have been banned from entering the UK amid growing concerns about a mutant coronavirus strain which has emerged in Brazil. The ban which, also covers the Central American state of Panama and Portugal – due to its strong travel links with Brazil – and the former Portuguese colony of Cape … Read more
Nicola Sturgeon has announced extra lockdown measures in an attempt to drive down the country’s infection rate. The Scottish First Minister has expanded on the rules that were initially implemented by law on Jan 5, telling the Scottish Parliament that the new restrictions are “regrettable” but are a “means to an end”. Over half of all cases in the … Read more
Issuing the edict, Bishop Will said: “I know that decisions to close church buildings always go against the grain of who we are as the household of faith.” Funerals in line with government rules will continue at the closed venues. “I know many who visit our ancient and historic sanctuary for peace and healing will … Read more
Derbyshire Police’s chief constable and police and crime commissioner have written a letter to the Prime Minister, Home Secretary and Health Secretary backing the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW)’s calls to bring forward vaccinations for frontline police staff. Chief Constable Rachel Swann said: “Policing and keeping people safe is an essential part of … Read more
If your lockdown fitness regime has been anything like mine, it will have started on a high note with daily Joe Wicks sessions, progressed to brief consideration of a Pilates Zoom session, and currently be at the stage of walking to the fridge and back. According to The Truth About Getting Fit at Home (BBC … Read more
Scotland will see more lockdown restrictions introduced from January 16 following government approval, the First Minister has confirmed. Ms Sturgeon has expanded on the rules which were initially implemented by law on Jan 5, telling the Scottish Parliament that the new restrictions are “regrettable” but are a “means to an end.” Over half of all cases in the … Read more
China has recorded the biggest daily jump in Covid cases in more than five months, despite four cities in lockdown, increased testing and other measures aimed at preventing another wave of infections in the world’s second biggest economy. Most of the new patients were reported near the capital Beijing, but a province in northeast China also saw a … Read more
Retail, entertainment and overnight accommodation All non-essential shops, entertainment outlets and hotels must close nationwide, as the Government has levied the previous Tier 4 rules related to these categories on the whole country. Supermarkets, chemists, garden centres and builders’ merchants may remain open; all other shops and market stalls must close. Theatres, concert halls, cinemas, … Read more
Coronavirus latest news: PM ‘urged to set 3 metre rule for social distancing’ Source link
Scientists from the Sage advisory committee have urged the Prime Minister to increase the two-metre rule to three metres, according to a report. The Government’s top scientific advice panel want the measure raised from “one metre plus” to “two metres plus”, the Daily Mail has reported. The move would in effect change the limit on social … Read more
Retail, entertainment and overnight accommodation All non-essential shops, entertainment outlets and hotels must close nationwide, as the Government has levied the previous Tier 4 rules related to these categories on the whole country. Supermarkets, chemists, garden centres and builders’ merchants may remain open; all other shops and market stalls must close. Theatres, concert halls, cinemas, … Read more
The Test and Trace scheme in England has revised one of its definitions of a “close contact” – people who need to be reached if they have been near to someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. The definition now refers to a close contact as anyone who has been within two metres of someone … Read more
US President-elect Joe Biden will receive his second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on Monday, his office announced, three weeks after his first injection was broadcast live on TV to boost public confidence in the jab. Mr Biden, 78, told Americans “there’s nothing to worry about” when he got his first dose of the Pfizer … Read more
New Covid strain: how dangerous is it, and could it hamper a vaccine? Source link
A Government source said that allowing two people from different households to meet for exercise, such as a walk was “being used as an excuse for people to go for a coffee in the park with their friends”, adding: “It may be we tighten up on things like that.” It is also understood that Downing … Read more
In practice, this could look like going for a jog with a member of your household or walking around the park with a friend, while keeping a two metre distance apart. You are also allowed to stop and sit on a park bench. You don’t have to wear a face covering when exercising outdoors. However, they are compulsory … Read more
A ten-year-old girl has died after the pandemic meant she was unable to travel to the US for medical trials. Eva Williams had been due to fly to New York City in April last year but travel restrictions were put in place. Her family successfully raised over £300,000 in the hope of getting Eva private … Read more
Where will mass Covid testing take place? Amber Valley Bolsover Chesterfield Derbyshire Dales North East Derbyshire South Derbyshire Darlington Stockton-on-Tees Ashford Canterbury Dartford Dover Folkestone and Hythe Gravesham Maidstone Sevenoaks Swale Thanet Tonbridge and Malling Tunbridge Wells Medway Blackburn with Darwen Blackpool Burnley Chorley Fylde Hyndburn Lancaster Pendle Preston Ribble Valley Rossendale South Ribble West … Read more
A curfew meant to curb a surge in coronavirus infections took effect across Quebec on Saturday evening. The measure is needed to prevent gatherings that have fueled the rampant spread of the virus, Premier Francois Legault said in announcing the rules earlier in the week. The French-speaking Canadian province has a population of more than 8.4 million. … Read more
Tougher police enforcement of the new lockdown rules will “damage” the public’s support for restrictions because people will believe officers are being overzealous and “unfair”, a former chief constable has warned. Mike Barton, who used to run Durham Police, urged the Government to keep its message “simple” and avoid repeatedly changing rules so both police … Read more
The decision to fine two women at a remote spot for alleged Covid-19 breaches will have “damaged” the public’s perception of how the laws are enforced, a former police chief has said. Mike Barton said that he believed Derbyshire Police would “row back” on its decision to fine the pair who had gone for a walk five miles from … Read more
An online tool that can identify Covid-19 patients who are at highest risk of deterioration is being made freely available to NHS doctors from Friday. The new risk-stratification tool, developed by researchers from the UK Coronavirus Clinical Characterisation Consortium (known as ISARIC4C), assesses data collected from hospital patients along with some standard lab tests. It then calculates a percentage … Read more
Mr Hancock said Moderna’s vaccine “will boost our vaccination programme even further once doses become available”. The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation (JCVI) will submit updated advice on which groups to prioritise for vaccination before doses become available. Alok Sharma, the Business Secretary, hailed the news as “yet another important step towards ending lockdown … Read more