UK Covid-19 vaccinations: Latest figures
Britons in their thirties might start receiving the coronavirus vaccine from the second half of May, it has emerged.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) stated the vaccination drive will proceed in five-year age bands, which means that these aged 35 to 39 could be eligible for his or her first jab subsequent month.
All adults in the UK are anticipated to be vaccinated earlier than the tip of July, in accordance to the federal government.
In London, surge testing for the South African variant is now happening in 4 boroughs – Barnet, Lambeth, Wandsworth and Southwark – after instances have been recognized in the capital.
Professor Kevin Fenton, PHE’s regional director in London, toldBBC Radio 4’s Today programme that extra of those infections are being detected by way of genetic sequencing.
However, he emphasised that there was nonetheless “a low prevalence, a low variety of instances” of the variant.
Behind the headline overview on the week in well being
Key Points
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Nearly 400,000 NHS sufferers in England awaiting remedy for greater than a yr
Almost 400,000 folks in England have been ready for routine NHS remedy for greater than a yr, in accordance to the newest information.
As a results of the pandemic, the variety of ready NHS sufferers has reached a document of 4.76 million, with over a 3rd of individuals ready longer than goal of 18 weeks.
Our well being correspondent Shaun Lintern has this breaking story:
Rory Sullivan15 April 2021 10:03
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Britons in 30s might get jabs in May
People in their 30s might obtain their first coronavirus vaccine dose in May, in accordance to new particulars revealed by authorities advisers.
My colleague Adam Forrest studies:
Rory Sullivan15 April 2021 09:47
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Surge testing for South African variant expands to 4 London boroughs
Surge testing for the South African variant is now happening in 4 London boroughs after instances have been detected in the capital.
Prof Kevin Fenton, London regional director for Public Health England, advised BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that testing has picked up in Lambeth, Wandsworth and Southwark consequently.
Residents in Barnet are additionally being urged to get examined, with a cell testing unit arrange in the automobile park of Finchley Central station.
Dr Jeff Barrett, a genomics specialist on the Wellcome Sanger Institute, stated the UK has a “superb system” for detecting regarding new variants.
He commented that surge testing could also be wanted in the years forward, including that it’s “actually vital to have the option to strive to preserve that quantity [of cases of the variant] as shut to zero as attainable”.
Rory Sullivan15 April 2021 09:45
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Former world leaders name on Biden to waive vaccine patents to speed up international jab entry
Gordon Brown is considered one of 175 former world leaders and main thinkers to urge US president Joe Biden to waive coronavirus patents in the pursuits of worldwide vaccine equality.
In a letter to the US president, the signatories stated they’re “gravely involved” by the gradual rollout of jabs world wide.
Their plea comes after South Africa and India beneficial that intellectually property rights relating to Covid-19 vaccines be waived to velocity up remedy processes the world over.
The signatories wrote: “A WTO waiver is an important and obligatory step to bringing an finish to this pandemic. It have to be mixed with guaranteeing vaccine know-how and know-how is shared brazenly.
“These actions would increase international manufacturing capability, unhindered by trade monopolies which might be driving the dire provide shortages blocking vaccine entry.”
Mr Brown has stated the US wants to use its management to assist convey the pandemic to an finish, including that “no-one is protected till everyone seems to be protected”.
Rory Sullivan15 April 2021 09:40
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More instances of South African variant being detected in London
More instances of the South African variant are being discovered in London, a senior determine at Public Health England (PHE) has stated.
Professor Kevin Fenton, PHE’s regional director in London, advised BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that extra of those infections have been being detected by way of genetic sequencing.
However, he careworn that there was nonetheless “a low prevalence, a low variety of instances” of the variant.
“And in addition, we’re surging to establish extra instances belonging to the south London cluster, which we’re investigating in Lambeth, Wandsworth and Southwark. So we’re doing this very proactively,” he added.
Huge queues for surge Covid testing in London
Rory Sullivan15 April 2021 09:20
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Cambodia introduces lockdown in capital amid outbreak
Cambodia has launched a lockdown in the capital Phnom Penh and its surrounding district on Thursday amid a Covid-19 outbreak.
The measures have been introduced on Wednesday night by Hun Sen, the nation’s prime minister.
On his Facebook web page, the chief stated Cambodia was getting ready to “loss of life valley” and inspired folks to work collectively to forestall catastrophe.
In whole, there have been fewer than 5,000 coronavirus infections in Cambodia and 35 deaths from the virus.
Rory Sullivan15 April 2021 09:00
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Olympics might be cancelled, says Japanese official
With lower than 100 days to go till the Olympics, a senior Japanese official has stated the Games might nonetheless be cancelled if the Covid-19 scenario worsens.
Toshihiro Nikai, secretary common of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, stated: “If it appears not possible to do it any extra, then we’ve got to cease, decisively.”
He added that cancellation is “in fact” an choice.
However, the vaccines minister Taro Kono is extra optimistic. “We’ll maintain (the Games) in a means that’s possible. That could also be with out spectators.”
Rory Sullivan15 April 2021 08:40
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India sees greater than 200,000 new Covid-19 instances in a single day
India has recognized greater than 200,000 new every day coronavirus infections, placing the nation’s fragile well being care system underneath growing pressure.
S.Okay. Sarin, a authorities well being skilled, described the surge as “alarming”.
While inns and wedding ceremony venues in the capital are being changed into Covid-19 centres, a 15-day ban on motion was imposed in Maharashtra, the worst-affected state.
As effectively because the 200,739 instances reported on Thursday, one other 1,038 deaths from the virus have been introduced, bringing the overall variety of fatalities to 173,123.
Rory Sullivan15 April 2021 08:24
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NHS belief in London plans to make coronavirus vaccine obligatory for workers
A serious NHS belief in London is planning to make coronavirus vaccinations obligatory for its employees and different trusts might comply with swimsuit, The Independent can reveal.
A draft letter to employees on the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Foundation Trust was emailed to different senior NHS bosses to “adapt and use in your trusts”.
“We will want to take note of your vaccination standing in your occupational threat evaluation and this may increasingly influence the vary of duties you undertake and certainly the setting in which you’re employed,” it stated.
Our well being correspondent Shaun Lintern has the small print:
Rory Sullivan15 April 2021 08:06
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UK native case charges drop to seven-month low
All native case charges throughout the UK have dropped beneath 100 instances in 100,000 folks for the primary time because the begin of September.
An evaluation of well being information carried out by PA exhibits that the charges have been final this low in the week up to 1 September 2020.
While some areas – together with Mansfield in Nottinghamshire – are slightly below 100 instances in 100,000 folks, locations reminiscent of Rother in Essex Sussex and North Devon are shut to zero.
The findings are a stark reminder of how a lot the coronavirus scenario in the UK has improved since 10 January, when solely 5 of the nation’s 380 native authorities had charges beneath 100.
Rory Sullivan15 April 2021 07:53
