Covid UK information LIVE – Even TOUGHER lockdown ‘simply days away’ & train could possibly be banned as coronavirus guidelines ‘ignored’

NHS ‘ON TRACK’ FOR 14MILLION JABS BY MID-FEB

The NHS is “on monitor” to ship 14 million coronavirus vaccines by mid-February, well being secretary Matt Hancock has mentioned.

Talking to BBC Radio 4 Right this moment, Hancock mentioned the rollout would speed up over the approaching weeks as extra provides turn into obtainable.

“The speed-limiting step on the rollout is the provision of the vaccine itself. We at the moment are managing to get that offer greater than we’ve achieved earlier than and it’ll improve over the subsequent few weeks,” he mentioned.

“We’ve the capability to get that vaccine out. The problem is that we have to get the vaccine in.

“What I do know is that the provision will improve over the subsequent few weeks and meaning the very speedy charge that we’re going at in the mean time will proceed to speed up over the subsequent couple of weeks.”

CHINA CRITICISES PM OVER COVID ORIGINS COMMENTS

Boris Johnson has been criticised by China after suggesting that the coronavirus got here from folks grinding up the scales of pangolins.

Talking at an environmental summit on Monday, the prime minister mentioned: “It originates from bats or pangolins, from the demented perception that for those who grind up the scales of a pangolin you’ll by some means turn into stronger or no matter it’s folks consider.

“It originates from this collision between mankind and the pure world and we have got to cease it.”

A spokesman for the Chinese language international ministry mentioned in reply that “cautious and meticulous” analysis could be wanted to find out the origins of the virus.

“Groundless conjecture or hype-up of the problem will solely disrupt regular worldwide co-operation on origin-tracing,” he mentioned.

GLOBAL CASES PASS 92MILLION

The full variety of coronavirus circumstances globally for the reason that begin of the pandemic has now handed 92million.

The general depend at the moment stands at 92,061,200, up by round 660,000 on yesterday.

The worst-hit international locations stay the US, India, and Brazil, which collectively account for round 46 p.c of all circumstances.

The worldwide demise toll at the moment stands at 1,971,408.

MAYOR KHAN CALLS FOR TOUGHER MEASURES IN LONDON

London mayor Sadiq Khan has referred to as on the federal government to impose harder coronavirus restrictions within the capital.

Writing to the prime minister with London Councils chair Georgia Gould, Khan mentioned that present developments risked placing an “unsustainable pressure” on the NHS and public providers.

In addition to the closure of locations of worship, the letter referred to as for mask-wearing to be made obligatory outdoors the house – together with in grocery store queues, on excessive streets, and in different presumably crowded out of doors settings.

It additionally referred to as on the federal government to supply larger monetary help for Londoners who have to self-isolate and are unable to work, backed by improved asymptomatic testing for key employees.

“We recognise how troublesome these choices are… [but] with new ranges of an infection remaining excessive we’re left with little alternative however to ask that you just implement them,” it mentioned.

NHS COULD MOVE PATIENTS TO HOTEL ROOMS, SAYS HANCOCK

The NHS is contemplating plans to maneuver some sufferers into lodges to ease stress on hospitals, Well being Secretary Matt Hancock has mentioned.

Talking to Sky Information Hancock mentioned: “There are enormous pressures on the NHS and we wish to all completely different ways in which we will relieve these pressures.

“We might solely ever do this if it was clinically the fitting factor for any person.

“In some circumstances, folks want sit-down care, they do not truly should be in hospital mattress.

“It is not a concrete proposal by any means however it’s one thing that we take a look at as we take a look at all contingencies.”

TRUMP ‘TO DUMP COVID SECRET INTELLIGENCE BOMBSHELL’

Donald Trump might declassify bombshell secret intelligence in regards to the outbreak of Covid-19 linking it to a Wuhan analysis lab as considered one of his final acts as President.

Ministers are on “purple alert” for a serious intervention from the outgoing US authorities inside days that claims the origin of the outbreak was a Chinese language science facility.

They consider the US State Division might reveal proof of the lethal bug escaping from the lab and even its scientists hyperlinks to the Chinese language Military.

On Monday the White House enigmatically warned: “The world can not proceed to pay heavy costs for its naiveté and complicity in Beijing’s irresponsible and dangerous practices – whether or not it’s ending the rule of regulation in Hong Kong or not cooperating with well being officers on the pandemic.

“The United States is inspecting additional choices to reply.”

STRICTER ROUND-THE-CLOCK LOCKDOWN ON THE CARDS

Stricter round the clock lockdown enforcement is on the playing cards if folks proceed to sneak out, sidestep police and flout Covid guidelines.

She informed folks to obey lockdown guidelines or face additional measures inside days.

Ms Patel mentioned blame for a crackdown would lie solely with a minority of people that she accused of placing the well being of the nation in danger with “infinite egregious breaches”.

She added that discussions have been ongoing inside No10 about harder restrictions.

She mentioned: “These points are reside in authorities. The foundations are all the time beneath evaluate.”

ANGELA MERKEL BLAMES ‘BRIT VIRUS’ FOR GERMAN LOCKDOWN

Angela Merkel has blamed the “British virus” for a brand new lockdown in Germany amid fears the mutant Covid pressure trigger deaths to extend ten-fold within the nation.

The Chancellor is now contemplating shutting the nation down till Easter as circumstances and deaths soar.

It comes because the mutant variant – believed to be as much as 70 per cent extra infectious – continues to unfold quickly all through the UK.

Ms Merkel now fears the identical might occur in Germany, with devastating penalties.

SOUTH AFRICAN STRAIN DETECTED IN UK

Dozens of circumstances of the mutant South African Covid pressure have been detected within the UK, analysis suggests.

Evaluation of almost 15,000 British samples revealed that 30 have been a genetic match for the new, faster-spreading virus.

Officers have to this point confirmed solely two circumstances of the variant in late December – each contacts of people who had travelled to South Africa.

Scientists worry the present Covid vaccines shall be much less efficient in opposition to the extra contagious bug.

The brand new pressure accommodates mutations together with N501Y – an alteration within the spike protein of the virus, which is a target for vaccines.

BORIS BLASTS ‘DEMENTED’ CHINESE MEDICINE BELIEFS

Boris Johnson has blasted the “demented” beliefs of Chinese language drugs for inflicting the coronavirus disaster.

Within the thinly veiled assault, Mr Johnson informed the One Planet Summit yesterday: “One ultimate thought, do not forget that the coronavirus pandemic was the product of an imbalance in man’s relationship with the pure world.

“Like the unique plague which struck the Greeks I appear to recollect in e-book one of many Iliad, it’s a zoonotic illness.

“It originates from bats or pangolins, from the demented perception that for those who grind up the scales of a pangolin you’ll by some means turn into stronger or no matter it’s folks consider, it originates from this collision between mankind and the pure world and we’ve acquired to cease it.”

UK LEADING LIGHT IN VACCINATIONS

Britain has turn into Europe’s main mild within the effort to vaccinate in opposition to coronavirus.

Newest figures reveal the UK has given 10 occasions extra jabs than lots of its European neighbours after the federal government kick-started Covid vaccinations final month.

Greater than 2.6 million folks – virtually 4 per cent of the UK inhabitants – had acquired a jab as of yesterday.

An enormous NHS operation has seen seven mass vaccination hubs open across the country this week, supported by a whole lot extra GP surgical procedures, hospital hubs and pharmacy-led websites.

VIRGIN ATLANTIC AND NEW LOOK JOIN OUR JABS ARMY

Our jabs Military numbers swelled to an unbelievable 35,000 final night time as but extra corporations backed our enchantment.

Trend big New Look, airline Virgin Atlantic and Stansted’s proprietor Manchester Airports Group are a number of the newest main corporations to again The Solar’s Jabs Army marketing campaign by urging workers to volunteer.

New Look, which has round 10,000 staff, mentioned yesterday that it was “delighted” to again the Jabs Military marketing campaign and shall be encouraging colleagues to participate within the vaccination rollout.

Nigel Oddy, CEO of New Look, mentioned: “We need to do our bit within the struggle in opposition to the virus by means of this enormous vaccination effort by giving again to the communities the place we commerce and serving to to return the nation to normality as shortly as potential.”

PATEL HINTED POLICE COULD BE NEXT IN LINE FOR VIRUS

Right this moment, the Dwelling Secretary burdened: “A minority of individuals are placing the well being of the nation in danger by not following the foundations.

“If you don’t play your half, our selfless law enforcement officials… will implement the laws, and I’ll again them to take action”.

“These points are reside inside Authorities – we’re consistently taking a look at the place we’re,” she added.

She additionally hinted that police could possibly be subsequent in line for the vaccination after the primary part one has been rolled out – alongside academics.

And he or she burdened that the lockdown guidelines have been strict and clear sufficient – regardless of requires them to be extra particular after the PM went on a seven mile bike trip.

POLICE CHIEF BLASTS ‘STUBBORN MINORITY’

The Dwelling Secretary appeared tonight alongside Martin Hewitt, Chair of the Nationwide Police Chiefs Council, in addition to Dr Vin Diwakar, Regional Medical Director for London.

Mr Hewitt mentioned: “At this vital time, we could have extra devoted law enforcement officials out on devoted patrols to take motion in opposition to the small few who’re letting us all down.”

He blasted a “cussed minority” of people that have been refusing to abide by the foundations and burdened Britain was on the “most harmful stage” of the pandemic now.

He warned: “With the virus spreading so quickly by means of contact with others, we should always all be asking ourselves if our cause to depart residence is really important.”

MORE POLICE ON THE STREETS SAYS PATEL

Extra police shall be deployed onto the streets to effective Covid flouters within the coming days as Priti Patel blasted a “minority placing the nation in danger”.

The Home Secretary issued a stark warning for everyone to play their part and behave responsibly to assist push circumstances down – or ministers could impose even stricter lockdown guidelines.

Brits have been informed to all act as if they’d Covid and observe the foundations to guard the NHS and save lives – as deaths reached 1,243 on the second deadliest day ever.

Police chiefs revealed examples of “harmful, egocentric and completely irresponsible” breaches of the foundations – together with a ship social gathering the place folks paid £30 to attend, a mini-bus of individuals from Cheltenham who went for a stroll in Wales, and a £10,000 effective for a celebration that organisers referred to as a “enterprise occasion”.

COVID DEATHS JUMP ON SECOND DEADLIEST DAY EVER

Covid deaths as we speak jumped by 1,243 on the second deadliest day ever however circumstances have fallen.

The full quantity of people that have died from the illness now stands at 83,203 as a mutant pressure continues to rampage throughout the nation.

The full variety of infections is now 3,164,051 after 45,533 extra examined constructive.

That is decrease than yesterday when 46,169 extra circumstances have been reported.

There’s often a lag within the figures over the weekend earlier than they rise once more on a Tuesday.

SHOP WORKERS CONSIDERED IN PHASE TWO OF VACCINE ROLLOUT

Store employees could also be amongst these to obtain a coronavirus vaccine within the second part of the rollout, Well being Secretary Matt Hancock has mentioned.

Beneath the primary part, now underway, precedence is being given to the aged, weak folks, and frontline medical workers.

Hancock has beforehand mentioned the federal government hopes to vaccine the 13.9million highest-priority folks by mid-February.

Talking within the Commons as we speak, he mentioned the federal government was wanting “very rigorously” at which professions needs to be “prioritised in part two of the prioritisation programme”.

“We are going to take a look at academics and police, but additionally we’ll take a look at store employees and we’ll make these choices based mostly on the information,” he mentioned.

LONG COVID ‘NEEDS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY’

Younger individuals who suppose they’re “invincible” in the case of Covid-19 have been urged to take the virus critically by these affected by lengthy Covid.

Talking on the All-Social gathering Parliamentary Group (APPG) on coronavirus, Dr Nathalie MacDermott mentioned employers want to grasp that lengthy Covid is a “real situation” and that individuals could should be off work for a big time period.

She added: “And I believe we’d like higher recognition within the public, notably the youthful public who suppose that they are invincible.

“I am 38 and I’m wondering if I am going to ever be capable of stroll correctly with out crutches once more. Will this proceed to worsen? Will I find yourself in a wheelchair?”

PETER ANDRE’S WIFE HITS OUT AT CELEBS GOING ABROAD

Peter Andre’s spouse Emily has slammed Zara Holland’s Barbados coronavirus crime as Pete continues to battle the sickness at residence.

Zara, 25, was taken to court and fined after she and her Covid+ boyfriend Elliott Love were caught trying to flee the vacation vacation spot as they broke strict quarantine legal guidelines.

The mother-of-two mentioned: “So many celebrities have been criticised for travelling overseas throughout lockdown.

“We do not know the circumstances and a few of them could possibly be working, however I believe if they’re breaking the foundations then they should not be placing it on social media once we’re all caught in lockdown again residence!

“Former Love Island star Zara Holland was fortunate to solely obtain a £4,417 effective after breaching quarantine guidelines in Barbados.

“It’s a must to put the well being of different folks first and to attempt to depart Barbados after her boyfriend examined constructive wasn’t the fitting factor to do.”

THIRD US LAWMAKER TESTS POSITIVE AFTER CAPITOL RIOTS

A 3rd member of the US congress has examined constructive for coronavirus following the riots on the Capitol constructing final week, ABC News.

Democrat Brad Schneider, who represents Illinois, mentioned in an announcement: “Sadly, I acquired a constructive COVID-19 take a look at this morning following being examined yesterday on the recommendation of the Home Attending Doctor.”

He additionally mentioned that, through the siege, he had needed to shelter with a number of Republican colleagues who “adamantly refused to put on a masks” whereas confined in a room inside dozens of different folks.

He mentioned he felt “indignant on the selfishness and conceitedness of the anti-maskers who put their very own contempt and disrespect for decency forward of the well being and security of their colleagues and our workers”.

Congresswomen Pramila Jayapal and Bonnie Watson Coleman, a 75-year-old most cancers survivor, have each additionally examined constructive.

QUARTER OF COVID ADMISSIONS IN ENGLAND UNDER 55

1 / 4 of all coronavirus admissions in England are beneath 55, the top of NHS England has mentioned.

Showing earlier than the general public accounts committee on Monday, Sir Simon Stevens mentioned the stress on hospitals attributable to the virus, which he mentioned is now spreading “uncontrolled”.

“In London maybe one in 30 folks has the coronavirus, in components of London it might be twice that quantity,” he mentioned.

“In Merseyside in simply the final week there was an additional 50% improve within the variety of Covid hospitalisations.

“It’s price remembering that this impacts all ages. 1 / 4 of the Covid admissions to hospital proper now are for folks aged beneath 55.”

TRANSPORT WORKERS CALL FOR BETTER PROTECTION

Workers on London’s transport providers are calling for higher safety from the coronavirus, the BBC stories.

Fifty-seven workers from the community – together with 42 on London’s buses, eight on the tubes and rail, three workplace workers, and 4 from companion our bodies – have died for the reason that begin of the pandemic.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union has referred to as for all weak employees to be despatched residence and for higher-quality PPE to be made obtainable.

Representing the union, Mick Money mentioned: “The one manner we will get by means of the pandemic to the opposite aspect of a vaccinated and secure London is that if transport workers are adequately protected.”

The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Affiliation has additionally mentioned important transport employees needs to be given a vaccine.

IN PICTURES – A WOMAN GIVES A THUMB UP AS SHE LEAVES THE VACCINATION HUB AT THE EXCEL CENTRE, LONDON