Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

by **Kitkat** Thu 20 May 2021, 12:13

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Post n°1

Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

Post by Kitkat Thu 20 May 2021, 12:13

Summary for Thursday, 20th May

Prof Andrew Hayward, a member of the Sage advisory group, tells the BBC the UK could be at the start of a another wave of coronavirus
"This strain can circulate very effectively... I don't really see why it wouldn't continue to spread in other parts of the country," he says
Covid was only the 18th highest cause of death in Wales in April and the ninth highest in England
It was the leading cause of death in both nations each month from November to February
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps urges people to use common sense when considering overseas travel
Airports could start segregating passengers arriving from red list countries next month, Shapps says
People aged 25-29 are now eligible for a vaccination in Northern Ireland, as are 34-year-olds in England
The Duke of Cambridge has had his first jab and tweeted his thanks to all involved in the rollout
£100m will be spent to try to deal with the record backlog of NHS treatments caused by the pandemic, Wales' new health minister says

Good morning and welcome to today’s live coverage. We’ll be bringing you Covid-19 updates throughout the day, but first here’s a quick look at this morning’s headlines:

Surge testing and additional vaccinations will be targeted on six new areas in England to combat the spread of the B1.617.2 variant first identified in India. They include Bedford, Burnley, Hounslow, Kirklees, Leicester, and North Tyneside
A watchdog for vulnerable people in Scotland has said there was “endemic” poor practice in the discharge of people from hospitals to care homes and some moves may have been done without proper legal authority
Police in Belgium are hunting a heavily armed soldier with far-right views who is said to have made threats against the virologist who lead the country’s public health response to the pandemic
Northern Ireland has opened up Covid vaccination appointments for people aged 25 to 29, although the Department of Health says appointments are limited
In England, people aged 34 and over - or those turning 34 before 1 July - can also now book their Covid vaccination
Wales is providing £100m to begin tackling NHS waiting lists which built up during the pandemic
And a rise in men making enquiries about plastic surgery during the pandemic has been attributed to the constant use of video calls.

Latest across Europe

Serbia has received the green light to start full production of Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine. The Russian manufacturer has approved samples produced by Belgrade’s Torlak Institute. It will deliver the materials required for full production over the next two weeks.
EU leaders are expected to back a plan tomorrow to allow fully vaccinated travellers to enter from outside the European Union. They’re also due to update a “safe list” of travellers coming from low-risk countries – and will have to decide whether the UK is one of them. On the subject of Britons,Spanish foreign minister Arancha González Laya has told the BBC her country will wait and see what the EU decides but “we would feel very confident to let in people who have been vaccinated”.
Meanwhile, Spanish travellers from the mainland are to be allowed to travel to the Balearic islands such as Majorca from Sunday if they’ve had one vaccination. Until now they’ve had to present a negative PCR test.
Good news for children completing their final year of school in Denmark. Traditional parties will be allowed to take place with family and friends, but with restrictions. Primary school children will be allowed to throw sweets and secondary school students will be allowed to invite friends when they throw their hats in the air after final exams. Big parties are banned.
French police had to intervene in some cities last night as the curfew was extended to 21:00 and people enjoyed their first evening sitting outside cafes and restaurants. In Rennes police had to move in to disperse people and this was the scene in the centre of Bordeaux (below) as crowds of young people stayed out beyond 23:00.

Today so far around the world…

WHO’s Europe chief has said that the currently authorised vaccines on the continent are effective against all known Covid-19 variants.
But Hans Kluge warned: “Right now, in the face of a continued threat and new uncertainty, we need to continue to exercise caution, and rethink or avoid international travel,” Hans Kluge said, adding that “pockets of increasing transmission” on the continent could quickly spread.
The European commission has said in a statement that it has signed a third contract with pharmaceutical companies BioNTech and Pfizer for an additional 1.8bn doses of Covid vaccine.
The EU says the deal “will allow for the purchase of 900m doses of the current vaccine and of a vaccine adapted to variants, with the option to purchase an additional 900m doses”. Hungary has opted out.
The latest data from India shows “a glimmer of hope”. The country recorded 276,110 new cases of Covid and 3,874 deaths in the previous 24 hours – those numbers are both dipping slightly. Data also shows the country’s daily recoveries have trumped the tally of daily cases for the seventh straight day.
Taiwan has announced one new death and 286 new cases of Covid-19 today.
China said it was providing Covid-19 vaccines to nearly 40 African countries. The vaccines were donated or sold at “favourable prices”, foreign ministry official, Wu Peng, told reporters.
Singapore has ordered Facebook and Twitter to carry a correction notice to users of the social media platforms in the country over what it says is a false statement about a new virus variant originating in Singapore.
Ukraine’s parliament has appointed Viktor Lyashko as the new health minister, urging him to speed up vaccinations against Covid-19.
Britain’s Prince William has said he has received his first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
The International Olympic Committee has tried to reassure an anxious Japan that the Tokyo Olympics would be safe for athletes as well as the host community, amid mounting opposition to the Games and fears it will fuel a spike in Covid cases.
Profits from Covid-19 jabs have helped at least nine people become billionaires, a campaign group said, calling for an end to pharmaceutical corporations’ “monopoly control” on vaccine technology.

by **Kitkat** Thu 20 May 2021, 12:28

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Re: Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

Post by Kitkat Thu 20 May 2021, 12:28

Variant hotspots look like start of UK’s third wave - scientist

Prof Andrew Hayward says the Indian variant is likely to spread throughout the UK

Prof Andrew Hayward, an infectious disease expert at University College London who advises the government, tells BBC Breakfast he is “very concerned” about the spread of the B1.617.2 variant first identified in India and “more generalised” measures may be needed.
Asked if the UK is at the start of a third wave of infections, he says: “I think so.”
He says the strain has spread very effectively within households and out into the broader community and is likely to spread to other parts of the country.
“Obviously we're doing everything we can to contain the spread of that but it's likely that more generalised measures may start to be needed to control it,” Prof Hayward says.
He says over the next week or two it will become clear how much the local outbreaks are spreading through the whole population.
A third wave has always been likely but its size will depend on how transmissible the variant is and how many people are vaccinated, Prof Hayward says.

Airports to segregate red list passengers 'from next month'

On BBC Breakfast, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is asked about images of crowded arrivals halls at Heathrow Airport in some of the papers, showing passengers from red list countries where hotel quarantine is mandatory mingling with quarantine-free green list passengers.
He says “a lot of this is to do with the practicalities” but says everyone has been tested before the flight.
“I do want to see people separated out as much as possible”, he says, and suggests airports are making improvements early next month, which could include bringing unused terminals into operation to segregate passengers.
“Airports are working as hard as they can to keep people socially distanced,” he says.
But Shapps says “we’re not forcing people to travel” and says passenger numbers are down 96% on normal levels.
He says the government is “starting to shift responsibility back to individuals” by ending the blanket ban on travel and using guidance and the traffic-light system instead.

by **Kitkat** Thu 20 May 2021, 12:31

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Re: Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

Post by Kitkat Thu 20 May 2021, 12:31

Why Covid success stories Singapore and Taiwan are fighting surges

Yvette Tan - BBC News

Taiwan is now on high alert after complacency allowed the virus to spread

They've been hailed as virus success stories - places that have seen virtually zero or single-digit Covid cases since the start of the year.
But this month, Singapore and Taiwan have both seen a sudden and aggressive rise in cases - with Singapore logging 248 new cases just last week, and Taiwan 1,200 local infections.
Both places have gone into a heightened state of restrictions, limiting the size of social gatherings and closing schools. So what went wrong?
In Taiwan, the population started to become complacent - as did its government.
It relaxed its quarantine requirements for non-vaccinated airline pilots from an initial 14 day period to five days - and then just three days. Shortly afterwards, a cluster broke out connected to a handful of China Airlines pilots.
The virus then spread through the community, eventually making its way to Taiwan's "tea houses" - adult entertainment venues - creating a super-spreader event.
In Singapore, measures have always been stringent. But by late May, Changi Airport - which also boasts a popular shopping centre - had turned into the country's biggest Covid cluster this year.
A number of infected airport staff had been working in a zone that received travellers from high risk countries.
Some of these workers then went on to have their meals in the airport's food courts - which are open to members of the public - further spreading the virus.
Read the full story.

by **Kitkat** Thu 20 May 2021, 12:37

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Re: Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

Post by Kitkat Thu 20 May 2021, 12:37

Shapps calls for patience over travel

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has been on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, where he was saying he wants to see more countries added to the green list for quarantine-free travel.
He says the amber list and red list are "not for holidaymakers" and after a year of lockdowns "we do not want to be in a position of taking risks at this stage about our unlock".
The reason why the green list is currently limited is that "we have ended up getting way ahead in terms of our vaccination programme in this country and we are just having to wait for other countries to catch up with us", he says.
But Shapps says that is already starting to happen and the list will be reviewed in early June.
“I know it’s been an incredibly tough year and there are extreme circumstances where people will feel that it is the right thing to do - perhaps because they have a sick family member and some extreme situations where they’ll travel in the orange category," he says.
But he says the government's main message on travel abroad is "just a little bit of patience, everyone".

Amber list travel is legal, says EasyJet boss

EasyJet's boss says the government's guidance on foreign travel is "very confusing" and frustrating for passengers, and says testing is costly.
Johan Lundgren says travel to amber list countries is "absolutely legal", after the ban ended on Monday.
But on Tuesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people should not holiday in amber list countries.
Lundgren says the whole point of the traffic light system is to allow travel to restart again safely, and there is "no indication they [passengers] shouldn't travel to these countries".
"There are families, who can't reunite because of the numerous costs and testing, that [are] extremely frustrated," Lundgren says.
He is also calling for VAT to be removed from the cost of Covid testing, saying many people "can't afford" tests.
He says the airline has agreed a £60 price for the required PCR tests, but points to comments from the European Parliament, which has called for free testing for all, including PCR tests.
We've got the full story here.

Covid-19 Indian variant cases found at primary school

Two cases of the Indian variant of Covid-19 have been found at a school in the West Midlands.
Ryders Green Primary in West Bromwich will now test 120 children in two year groups and about 10 staff.
The individuals who tested positive for the variant have no recent foreign travel history, Sandwell Council says.
They tested positive "several weeks ago" and "all appropriate infection prevention and control measures were taken at the time", it says.
The B.1.617.2 variant, first discovered in India, is believed to spread more easily. However, there is little evidence to show it is capable of overcoming the vaccine.

by **Kitkat** Thu 20 May 2021, 12:44

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Re: Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

Post by Kitkat Thu 20 May 2021, 12:44

'Check before you travel' warning from man denied Spanish holiday

An 81-year-old man has warned people to check coronavirus rules before they travel after he got to the check-in desk to find Spain's borders were shut to UK tourists.
Garry Tate says he wants people to be aware they need to check the rules in the destination country even if the UK's traffic light system indicates it is legal to go.
"I'm listening every day, listening to all the news from Boris, from the Welsh government, and there was nothing at all," he says.
Garry, who lives alone in Cardiff, says he had been "excited" to travel after re-booking the trip three times.
"I just wanted to go on holiday. I'm nearly 82, I'm pretty active and I love to go away," he says.
He had spent £680 on an apartment for 16 days, about £150 for return flights and £160 for PCR tests
Although he is hoping to travel in September, he is not sure whether he can re-book or get his money back.
Spain is on the UK government's amber list, so it is legal to travel there although the government has advised against it. But Spain's borders have been shut to foreign nationals since 22 December, after concerns about the Kent strain of Covid-19.
Read more.

NHS Test and Trace failures caused by 'technical problem'

We've got more from the report that says failings in the NHS Test and Trace system "exacerbated" the spread of the Indian coronavirus variant.
It’s understood a technical problem left several councils unable to identify cases of the so-called Indian variant for three weeks.
The government added India to the "red list" of countries, from which travellers must quarantine in a hotel on return, on 23 April - two days after the problems with Test and Trace started.
The Department of Health told Blackburn with Darwen Council there were 164 cases it had been unaware of. The people affected were subsequently traced, the report says.
Another 130 cases were not reported, but, because they had passed the 10-day isolation period, could not be followed up, it says.
Even when cases were uploaded to the system on 12 May, some key information, such as phone numbers or addresses, was still incomplete, according to the document.
We've got the full story here.

by **Kitkat** Thu 20 May 2021, 12:52

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Re: Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

Post by Kitkat Thu 20 May 2021, 12:52

Avoid resuming international travel, says WHO Europe director

Countries should "rethink or avoid" international travel because of uncertainty over new variants, the World Health Organization's regional director for Europe says.
As the UK government faces criticism and confusion over its traffic light system for international travel, Hans Kluge says increased mobility in Europe could jeopardise the current fall in cases and small outbreaks could lead to "dangerous resurgences".
"Most of us are still susceptible to the virus and not vaccinated yet. Right now, in the face of a continued threat and new uncertainty, we need to continue to exercise caution, and rethink or avoid international travel," he tells a news conference.
"Vaccines may be a light at the end of the tunnel - but we cannot be blinded by that light."
He says the variant first identified in India is able to spread rapidly and could displace the Kent variant that is currently dominant in Europe.
But he says all variants that have emerged so far can be controlled with public health measures and all respond to approved vaccines.

Devastating second Covid wave catches Argentina off-guard

Uki Goñi - The Guardian
With both the Brazilian and UK variants circulating widely in Argentina, the patients now being seen by intensive care doctor Vanina Edul at the Fernández public hospital in Buenos Aires are dying faster, and younger: one recent victim was just 42 when he died.
“I am seeing people die in less than a week – young patients unresponsive to treatment. You administer oxygen, do all the mechanics – turn them face down, face up – but it doesn’t work. Then there are other patients whose oxygenation level is not so bad – but they die anyway,” Edul says.
A devastating second wave of Covid cases has caught Argentina off guard, with relaxed restrictions and a low vaccination rate. Cases have risen from a daily total of about 5,000 in early March to a record 35,000 this week, while deaths surged from 112 at the start of March to a record 744 on Tuesday. On Wednesday daily contagions set a new record, just under 40,000 cases, while deaths dropped to 494.
The figures put the country third in daily cases after India and Brazil, and fourth in Covid deaths, after India, Brazil and the US.
Relative to population, Argentina now has the highest number of Covid deaths in the world, with 16.46 Covid fatalities per million, far exceeding its giant neighbour Brazil, which saw 11.82 per million.
Read more here

by **Kitkat** Thu 20 May 2021, 13:01

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Re: Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

Post by Kitkat Thu 20 May 2021, 13:01

Covid-19 vaccines have spawned nine new billionaires: campaign group

The Guardian
Profits from Covid-19 jabs have helped at least nine people become billionaires, a campaign group said Thursday, calling for an end to pharmaceutical corporations’ “monopoly control” on vaccine technology, AFP reports.
“Between them, the nine new billionaires have a combined net wealth of $19.3 billion (15.8 billion euros), enough to fully vaccinate all people in low-income countries 1.3 times,” The People’s Vaccine Alliance said in a statement.
The alliance, a network of organisations and activists campaigning for an end to property rights and patents for inoculations, said its figures were based on the Forbes Rich List data.
“These billionaires are the human face of the huge profits many pharmaceutical corporations are making from the monopoly they hold on these vaccines,” said Anna Marriott from charity Oxfam, which is part of the alliance.
In addition to the new mega-rich, eight existing billionaires have seen their combined wealth increase by $32.2 billion thanks to the vaccine rollout, the alliance said.
Topping the list of new vaccine billionaires were the CEO of Moderna Stephane Bancel, and his BioNTech counterpart Ugur Sahin.
Three other neobillionaires are co-founders of the Chinese vaccine company CanSino Biologics.

by **Kitkat** Thu 20 May 2021, 13:09

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Re: Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

Post by Kitkat Thu 20 May 2021, 13:09

Traffic light system for Northern Ireland foreign travel expected

Jayne McCormack - BBC News NI political reporter
A traffic light system for foreign travel could come into effect for Northern Ireland on Monday, BBC News NI understands.
But the proposal will have to be discussed by Stormont ministers at an executive meeting later today.
They are also due to decide whether to relax other restrictions, such as the reopening of indoor hospitality.
It is understood only a very limited number of countries are set to make NI's so-called "green list" for foreign travel.
People going to countries that appear on the green list do not need to quarantine on their return.
England, Scotland and Wales have already implemented similar systems, with the first travellers heading off on holiday earlier this week.
But it is understood Stormont health officials had recommended Portugal should be on Northern Ireland's amber list, which would still require people to self-isolate for 10 days on arrival in Northern Ireland.
At present, the executive's advice is people should only travel to or outside of Northern Ireland for essential purposes.
Here's what we know so far.

by **Kitkat** Thu 20 May 2021, 14:27

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Re: Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

Post by Kitkat Thu 20 May 2021, 14:27

Student jabs halted amid high demand

A scheme to offer university students walk-in Covid vaccinations has been suspended on its second day after too many people turned up.
Bournemouth University said it was told "all students" could queue for jabs at Bournemouth International Centre for seven days, beginning on Tuesday.
Yesterday hundreds of students turned up - with some queuing for up to eight hours, while others were turned away.
But by the afternoon a message on the university's Facebook page said: "Due to the high numbers, unfortunately no further student slots are available for the time being."
Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust said its offer was intended for "students in priority groups, many of whom are soon to travel home".
When asked about the discrepancy, a university spokeswoman said: "While we encouraged priority groups to attend, we were advised that all students over the age of 18 were able to take advantage of this opportunity."

Queensland offers bonus to tourism workers as Australians holiday at home

Australians are being offered a cash bonus to take on tourism jobs as internal travel begins to open up.
Queensland is trying to attract domestic visitors as Australians begin to look for holidays at home.
Home to the Great Barrier Reef, the state is offering AUD$1,500 (£1,163; £823) and help with travel to work in its tourism sector.
Border restrictions have meant thousands of roles usually filled by foreign backpackers are now empty - and many businesses are struggling with a shortage of staff.
Before Covid hit, tourism was worth some AUD$22bn to Queensland. That plummeted after border restrictions were put in place in March 2020.
Since then, only citizens, permanent residents and those with exemptions have been allowed to enter the state - and only if they complete a 14-day hotel quarantine on arrival at their own expense.
Read more.

by **Kitkat** Thu 20 May 2021, 14:35

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Re: Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

Post by Kitkat Thu 20 May 2021, 14:35

Still too early to say if lockdown easing will be delayed - No 10

Hospital admissions in places where the variant is surging will help determine whether the UK can unlock further

Downing Street said it is "keeping a close eye on the data" but it is still to early to determine whether the spread of the Indian variant could delay lifting all coronavirus restrictions on 21 June.
The prime minister's spokesman said there had not been any significant changes in the past 24 hours.
“We are monitoring that very carefully but it is still too early to make a definitive judgment," he said.
The decision would depend partly on hospitalisation rates in the outbreak areas - and work to determine how much more transmissible the variant is than the Kent strain, which is currently most widespread in the UK.
There would be an update next week, the spokesman said.

People in NI 'have looked enviously' to rest of UK

Jayne McCormack - BBC News NI political reporter
As we reported earlier, the reopening of indoor hospitality and a foreign travel traffic light system look to be given the go ahead in Northern Ireland from Monday.
People here have looked on enviously for weeks at England, Scotland and Wales where opening up has moved at a quicker pace.
But Monday is now set to be one of the most significant days yet for Northern Ireland's lockdown easing.
Almost five months have passed since the restrictions were initially imposed, shutting down so much of the economy and severely restricting social contact.
If these relaxations are finally given the green light, it will mark a pretty big turning point in Northern Ireland's recovery from lockdown.
Hopefully, there will be no going back.

by **Kitkat** Thu 20 May 2021, 14:47

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Re: Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

Post by Kitkat Thu 20 May 2021, 14:47

Scenes as surge testing gets under way due to Indian variant

Surge testing gets under way in Bedford, after an increase in coronavirus cases linked to the Indian variant.
Latest figures show Bedford borough has the third highest Covid-19 rate in England, with 221 positive cases recorded in the week up to 15 May - an 84% increase on the previous week.
The council said all adults and children in the selected areas are "strongly encouraged" to take a test this week, even if they are not showing symptoms.
Bedford's Labour MP, Mohammad Yasin, has confirmed the area will also be getting surge vaccinations.
Surge testing in England is also under way in Bolton, Blackburn, Bedford, Burnley, Leicester, Kirklees, North Tyneside, and Hounslow.
You can find out more about it here.

Event pilots have given 'positive findings'

More than 20,000 fans attended Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley

The UK government's pilot programme of mass events has so far produced "positive findings", Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden says.
The Brits, the FA Cup final and the snooker world championship were part of a set of trials exploring the risk of transmission and the effectiveness of measures such as ventilation and testing.
Anyone attending the events, which were monitored by scientists, was required to have a negative Covid-19 test beforehand and was also tested afterwards - but they did not have to socially distance or show a vaccine certificate.
Dowden has told the House of Commons he knows places such as the National Gallery and the Tate Modern can only operate "sustainably" if the UK moves to the next stage of the roadmap out of lockdown, which would see all restrictions removed.
"That is why we set up the Events Research Programme to examine safe ways of doing that," he says. "And I can tell the House that we have had positive findings from those pilots at events such as the Brits, FA Cup final and Crucible and these will inform our approach to reopening at stage four."
He also says there is "hope" full amateur choirs will be able to rehearse indoors from 21 June

by **Kitkat** Thu 20 May 2021, 14:52

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Re: Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

Post by Kitkat Thu 20 May 2021, 14:52

Taiwan boosts pet hotels to help Covid-positive pet owners

Kerry Allen - BBC Monitoring, China Media Analyst

The government in northern Taiwan has today announced a list of “pet inns”, so that animals have somewhere to go if their owners have to quarantine.
The New Taipei Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office has announced five special accommodation facilities or “pet hotels” owners can send their pets to, if they have to move to a quarantine base in the coming weeks.
According to the Taiwan News website, there is space for more than 100 dogs and cats, who will get regular check-ups. Staff will also “monitor their mental and physical health”.
Taiwan is currently experiencing its worst outbreak throughout the pandemic. It has recorded more than 1,000 Covid-19 cases in the past week, almost 50% of its total cases since the pandemic began. There have been three deaths this week alone, taking the death toll to 15.
New Taipei is one of two Covid-19 hotspots in Taiwan. The island officially raised its Covid-19 alert to level 3 today, meaning all but essential businesses are closed and masks are mandatory. New Taipei and Taipei City went into “near lockdown” on Saturday, however, as a result of outbreaks.
Taiwan is not the first place to introduce special animal hotels for pets whose owners have had to quarantine. Hong Kong launched a special facility in July last year, and Shanghai was praised in January for introducing pet-friendly quarantine bases, where owners and pets could quarantine together.

by **Kitkat** Thu 20 May 2021, 14:56

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Re: Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

Post by Kitkat Thu 20 May 2021, 14:56

More than 4,000 people prosecuted over breaking Covid rules

More than 4,000 people were prosecuted last year in England and Wales for breaking coronavirus laws, according to figures from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
Some 3,536 people of the 4,367 prosecuted were convicted, with most offences related to flouting lockdown rules.
The MoJ quarterly statistics report to December set out new offences dealt with by courts in 2020 under new laws such as Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations and the Coronavirus Act.
Out of 4,230 prosecutions for breaches of emergency restrictions, there were 3,506 convictions.
These led to 3,464 fines, three community sentences and one person being jailed for six months.
According to the data, no-one was handed a so-called super fine of £10,000 or more by the courts last year for coronavirus breaches. But the report says the figures may not reflect all prosecutions launched last year as some may still be in progress.

by **Kitkat** Thu 20 May 2021, 17:00

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Re: Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

Post by Kitkat Thu 20 May 2021, 17:00

North-west England records only rise in infections

North-west England - home to three of the hotspots for the variant first discovered in India - is the only region to record a rise in coronavirus cases, according to new data released this afternoon.
Cases there rose to 38.5 per 100,000 people in the week up to 16 May, up from 31.6 the previous week, Public Health England says.
In most regions cases have fallen slightly or remained mostly unchanged, with the lowest rates of 8.9 cases per 100,000 people found in south-west England.
The age group with the highest infection rate is 10 to 19-year-olds, among whom there are 43.9 cases per 100,000 - a fall from 47.4 the previous week.

East Renfrewshire becomes Scotland's Covid hotspot

Infection rates in East Renfrewshire are now the highest in Scotland, overtaking neighbouring Glasgow.
The weekly case rate on 17 May reached 118.3 cases per 100,000 people, with Glasgow on 112.1.
Scotland has set 50 cases per 100,000 as the threshold between level two and level three restrictions as it moves out of lockdown.
But while Glasgow remains in level three - where cafes, pubs and restaurants can only serve alcohol outside, among other restrictions - East Renfrewshire moved to a lower tier of restrictions along with most of Scotland on Monday.
East Renfrewshire council leader Tony Buchanan says the figures are "concerning" but believes it mostly reflects transmission within households, rather than a wider community spread.
In Moray, the other area of concern that also remained at level three, the infection rate continues to fall, reaching 36.5 cases per 100,000 people.

Can I travel to an amber list country?

Foreign holidays are allowed again but the government has now made clear people should not travel to countries on its amber list for leisure.
Countries have been categorised as red, amber or green to reflect their Covid risk, with different rules for each.
The amber list covers the vast majority of foreign destinations, including most of Europe.
Asked on BBC Breakfast whether it was responsible to go on holiday to an amber country, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "The guidance is not to. We've said you should only go to amber countries in exceptional circumstances."
Many companies are offering holidays to these countries and the BBC has spoken to people who say holiday companies are refusing to refund or exchange bookings.
EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren says the government stance is "very confusing" and frustrating for passengers.
The European Union is expected to make a decision this week on whether to reopen borders for non-essential travel, including from the UK.
Read more about the UK's travel rules here.

by **Kitkat** Thu 20 May 2021, 17:06

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Re: Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

Post by Kitkat Thu 20 May 2021, 17:06

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UK records seven Covid deaths

A further seven people have died with coronavirus in the UK, the government's daily figures show.
The total number of people to die within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test in the UK is 127,701.
There were also 2,874 new infections recorded today.

AZ vaccine gives better-than-expected 90% reduction in cases

Robert Cuffe - BBC head of statistics
Public Health England has just published real-world data - as opposed to those from clinical trials - suggesting having a second dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine lifts its efficacy from about 60% to 90%.
We had already seen data on the effectiveness of the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, but these are the first to estimate the effects of the second dose of the AZ vaccine.
The study, published by PHE, looked at cases of coronavirus detected in the community among those aged over 65 (the first groups to be vaccinated).
It found that, a fortnight after the first dose of the Pfizer or AZ vaccine, the odds of getting symptomatic Covid fell by nearly 60%, consistent with previous reports.
After a second dose of Pfizer or AZ, cases were about 90% lower than among those who had not been vaccinated.
These results are better than those observed in the clinical trials and those assumed by scientific modellers supporting the most recent unlocking.
Read more: When will I get the jab?

Lifting of further restrictions gets the go ahead in NI

We reported earlier that it looked as though Northern Ireland would go ahead with relaxing lockdown rules from Monday - the Stormont has now signed off those changes.
This means hospitality will be able to welcome customers through the doors and six people from two households being allowed to meet in homes.
A traffic light system for foreign travel will also take effect from then, subject to ministerial approval.
Only a very limited number of countries are set to make Northern Ireland's so-called "green list" for foreign travel.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill has confirmed Portugal is among those countries.
Here's what all the changes mean.

by **Kitkat** Thu 20 May 2021, 17:30

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Post n°16

Re: Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

Post by Kitkat Thu 20 May 2021, 17:30

No 10 denies Test and Trace failure helped spread Indian variant

Downing Street has denied NHS Test and Trace failures were partly to blame for the surge in the Indian variant in one of the worst affected parts of the UK.
A report seen by the BBC revealed for three weeks in April and May, eight local authorities in England - including Blackburn with Darwen - did not have access to the full data on positive tests in their area, meaning more than 700 cases were not reported and traced locally.
The prime minister's official spokesman has told reporters all positive cases were contacted and told to self-isolate for 10 days.
He says: "There was a short delay when asking some of those positive cases to provide details of individuals they had contacted since contracting Covid.
"This issue was across a small number of local authority areas and was quickly resolved."
Asked whether the government accepted the failure contributed to the spread of the variant, the spokesman says: "The spread of the variant will be down to a number of factors - this was an issue that occurred across a small number of local authority areas, so I don't think it is possible to draw that conclusion from this."
Here's the full story.

Blackburn council says Test and Trace failure did affect Covid cases

The Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council says the report that showed a technical problem with NHS Test and Trace contributed to the spread of the Indian variant is "broadly accurate".
Mohammed Khan says: "This situation has had an effect on the residents of our borough.
"Unfortunately, the technical problem in the national Test and Trace system happened just at the time the borough had incoming cases of travel-related cases of the Covid variant first identified in India."
Downing Street has denied the glitch caused anything more than a "short delay" in contact tracing and says it was "quickly resolved".
Labour shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth says: "It beggars belief that yet again local health experts on the ground have been left in the dark for two weeks when we know acting with speed is vital to containing an outbreak.
"Ministers need to explain what's gone wrong and provide local health directors with all the resources they need to push infections down."

by **Kitkat** Thu 20 May 2021, 17:44

Kitkat

Kitkat

Post n°17

Re: Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

Post by Kitkat Thu 20 May 2021, 17:44

What's been happening?

Our live updates on coronavirus are going to finish for the day shortly so here's a recap on the news we've been covering:

A second dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine lifts its efficacy from about 60% to 90%, a Public Health England study finds
Failures in the national Test and Trace system are partly responsible for the surge of Indian variant cases in Blackburn, a report says
Prof Andrew Hayward, an infectious disease expert at University College London who advises the government, says he thinks the UK is at the start of a third wave of infections
Downing Street says it is still too early to determine whether the spread of the Indian variant could delay lifting all coronavirus restrictions on 21 June
Indoor hospitality and some foreign travel will restart in Northern Ireland on Monday
People aged 34 and over in England can now book their coronavirus vaccination
And Prince William, 38, has paid tribute to those involved in the vaccine rollout after getting his first Covid jab on Tuesday
Singapore and Taiwan have seen a sudden rise in Covid after seeing virtually zero or single-digit cases since the start of the year
And the government in northern Taiwan announces a list of “pet inns”, for animals whose owners have to quarantine.

Thank you and bye for now

That's all from the live team - Dulcie Lee, James Clarke, Jennifer Meierhans, Joseph Lee, Katie Wright and Owen Amos.
We will be back with more live updates tomorrow.
Thanks for joining us and have a good evening.

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Coronavirus - 20th May 2021

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