Rising cases of the Indian COVID variant could delay the easing of restrictions and force the government to impose local lockdowns, a minister has warned. When asked if the proposed end of restrictions in England on 21 June may not go ahead as planned, Environment Secretary George Eustice told Sky News: “We cannot rule anything
UK
At just 15 years old, Kiyan Prince’s dreams of becoming a professional footballer were snatched away when he became a victim of knife crime. Now, deep fake technology has created a replica of the player he could have been. Kiyan was a promising youngster who was signed to the Queens Park Rangers youth team. Image:
A total of 2,323 cases of the Indian coronavirus variant have been reported in the UK, the health secretary has said. Delivering a COVID-19 statement in the Commons, Matt Hancock said 483 cases have been confirmed in Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen, where the variant is now the dominant strain of the virus. Live updates
People across England are again able to enjoy hugs with loved ones, indoor pints and foreign holidays – but Boris Johnson has urged a “heavy dose of caution” due to the threat of the Indian variant of COVID-19. As the country moves to stage three of the prime minister‘s roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions on
More than 20 million people in the UK are now fully vaccinated after receiving both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to government figures. Some 391,246 had their second jab on Saturday, meaning a total of 20,103,658 have now received both shots. Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world Also on Saturday,
A major incident has been declared after a suspected gas explosion at a residential area in Heysham, Lancashire. Firefighters were called to a row of terraced houses on Mallowdale Avenue in the early hours of Sunday and are searching a collapsed property. Lancashire Police said: “We are currently at the scene of a suspected gas
Surge testing to tackle an outbreak of the Indian variant of coronavirus is under way in parts of England. Extra resources to ensure widespread community testing in targeted locations within east London – including Shoreditch and Dalston – have been put in place after the South African variant was also found. The infections occurred in
Easing lockdown measures in England on Monday could cause “a substantial resurgence” in hospital admissions that is similar to previous peaks or larger, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has warned. Minutes of a meeting on Thursday suggest there is a “realistic possibility” that the Indian variant of COVID-19 is 50% more transmissible than the
The prime minister will hold a Downing Street coronavirus news conference later, Number 10 has said. Boris Johnson is expected to discuss the spread of the Indian COVID-19 variant – and the steps the government is taking to combat it – when he addresses the nation at 5pm. Live COVID updates from the UK and
Cases of the Indian coronavirus variant in the UK have more than doubled in the past week, according to figures from Public Health England (PHE). Data published on Thursday showed there are 1,313 cases of the VOC-21APR-02 variant in the country – up from the 520 recorded the previous week. The COVID-19 strategic response director
The UK is “anxious” about the Indian COVID variant and the government is “ruling nothing out” when it comes to tackling its spread, the prime minister has said. Boris Johnson said the COVID-19 variant “has been spreading” and the UK wants to “grip it”. Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world “We
Coronavirus cases in England are at their lowest level since last August, indicating the success of the vaccine rollout despite the relaxation of lockdown, new data suggests. There were marked reductions in COVID-19 prevalence from March to April and early May across the country, according to data from the latest round of the React-1 study.
A nine-year-old boy who died after apparently being struck by lightning on a football field in Blackpool has been named as Jordan Banks. Officers from Blackpool police were called shortly after 5pm on Tuesday to fields near to School Road after reports a child had been injured. Emergency services attended and the boy was taken
Daily deaths and hospital admissions due to COVID-19 are at their lowest since last summer. And restrictions are being relaxed as the UK makes progress in vaccinating its population. Yet there are pockets where coronavirus cases have risen sharply recently. Data shows that although the average infection rate in the UK has fallen by 15%
Police are searching a Gloucester cafe in connection with the disappearance of a teenage girl suspected to have been murdered by serial killer Fred West. Mary Bastholm vanished in 1968 aged just 15 and her body has never been found. West, who died in prison in 1995 aged 53, was previously suspected over her disappearance.
New laws to fulfil Boris Johnson’s promise of helping to give people the skills they need throughout their lives will form a central part of the government’s legislative agenda for the next year. The prime minister has promised to put “rocket fuel” into his “levelling up” agenda with the introduction of new laws – to