Medical chiefs have agreed to decrease the UK’s Covid alert degree to three because the vaccination programme and lockdown restrictions ease stress on the NHS.
The new degree means transmission of the virus is not excessive or rising exponentially.
It comes as Boris Johnson is ready to give the formal go-ahead for the newest leisure of coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England on 17 May – together with the inexperienced gentle for hugging family and friends.
From Monday subsequent week, pubs and eating places will be ready to reopen for indoor consuming and consuming, whereas cinemas, motels and B&Bs will be ready to open their doorways to prospects for the primary time in lots of months.
The prime minister is anticipated to announce the following step within the authorities’s roadmap out of lockdown at a Downing Street press convention in a while Monday.
However, he’s dealing with mounting stress from trade leaders and a gaggle of lockdown-sceptic Tory MPs to carry ahead affirmation that every one social distancing restrictions will be lifted on 21 June.
Key Points
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1620653821Latest vaccine figures
A complete of 44,683,075 Covid-19 vaccinations occurred in England between 8 December and 9 May, in accordance to NHS England information, together with first and second doses, which is an increase of 233,651 on the day prior to this.
NHS England stated 29,651,554 had been the primary dose of a vaccine, an increase of 73,338 on the day prior to this, whereas 15,031,521 had been a second dose, a rise of 160,313.
(*3*)Chiara Giordano
10 May 2021 14:371620653247
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However, the German firm stated it had developed a “complete technique” to handle any coronavirus variants sooner or later ought to the necessity come up.
It comes after laboratory outcomes and real-life information instructed the vaccine can defend towards catching the Covid variants at present in circulation, though much less successfully when it comes to some, such because the South African variant.
However, consultants imagine the jab can nonetheless defend towards extreme illness and hospital admission – a view echoed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca when taking a look at their very own vaccine.
(*3*)Chiara Giordano
10 May 2021 14:271620652636
Lockdown lifting ‘Ask me Anything’: The Independent’s Samuel Lovett solutions your questions dwell
Our science correspondent Samuel Lovett is answering your questions because the prime minister is ready to announce the following stage of lockdown restrictions lifting in England:
(*3*)Chiara Giordano
10 May 2021 14:171620650427
Downing Street has confirmed prime minister Boris Johnson will maintain a televised press convention at 5pm in the present day.
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(*3*)Chiara Giordano10 May 2021 13:37
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Statement on reducing of UK Covid alert degree
Here is a press release on the reducing of the UK’s Covid alert degree from the chief medical officers for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, in addition to NHS England nationwide medical director:
“Following recommendation from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and within the gentle of the newest information, the UK chief medical officers and NHS England nationwide medical director agree that the UK alert degree ought to transfer from degree 4 to degree 3.
“Thanks to the efforts of the UK public in social distancing and the affect we’re beginning to see from the vaccination programme, case numbers, deaths and Covid hospital pressures have fallen persistently.
“However Covid continues to be circulating with folks catching and spreading the virus on daily basis so all of us want to proceed to be vigilant. This stays a significant pandemic globally.
“It is essential that all of us proceed to comply with the steering carefully and everybody will get each doses of the vaccine when they’re supplied it.”
Additional reporting by PA
(*3*)Zoe Tidman
10 May 2021 13:101620647868
Next step out of lockdown
With Boris Johnson set to verify the following relaxations of lockdown measures in the present day, here’s a reminder of what’s anticipated to change on 17 May:
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10 May 2021 12:571620647011
Simon Calder solutions journey questions
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BREAKING: UK’s Covid alert degree lowered to 3 as vaccines and lockdown relieve stress on hospitals
(*3*)Zoe Tidman10 May 2021 12:17
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UK Covid alert degree downgraded to degree 3
The 4 UK chief medical officers have agreed the Covid-19 alert degree ought to transfer from degree 4 to degree 3, that means the “epidemic is generally circulation”.
(*3*)Chiara Giordano10 May 2021 12:08
