A jab made by the US firm Novavax could become the fourth vaccine to be approved in the UK after promising data from a late-stage trial emerged. Nearly 7.5 million people across the UK have received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine – with the nationwide rollout seen as the country’s best hope of
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A Tory MP who urged anti-vaccination campaigners to keep going with their fight against coronavirus restrictions and told them NHS capacity figures were being “manipulated” is “wrong” and “completely out of order”, a senior minister has said. Michael Gove told Sky News that Sir Desmond Swayne should apologise and retract his comments. However, the Cabinet
Lockdown is beginning to slow the spread of the virus, but not in all areas, new research has confirmed. The Imperial College REACT study showed that 1.57% of almost 168,000 people swabbed across England between 6 and 22 January tested positive. Rates are highest in London, where 2.83% of people – one in every 35
Schools in England will not reopen after the February half-term, the prime minister has confirmed. Addressing MPs in the Commons, Boris Johnson said there is not enough data to justify all pupils returning to the classroom. Instead, the prime minister said it was the government’s ambition for them to return from 8 March. Live COVID
Pressure is ramping up in the race across Europe to roll out coronavirus vaccines, amid the warning of a “shortage”. The EU is threatening to impose strict controls on the export of jabs made in the bloc, potentially impacting supplies of the Pfizer one that is made in Belgium. It follows growing anger on the
The UK has recorded its lowest daily rise in coronavirus cases so far this year, with 22,195. The last time the number of cases by date reported was lower than that was 15 December, according to the government’s coronavirus data dashboard. While there is usually a reporting lag over and immediately after the weekend, resulting
Frank Lampard has been sacked as Chelsea head coach, with former PSG boss Thomas Tuchel expected to take over. The 42-year-old leaves Stamford Bridge with the club sitting ninth in the Premier League table, 11 points behind leaders Manchester United. The club announced the decision despite Chelsea beating Luton Town 3-1 in the fourth round
“We just all hope that we will live, and come out of it,” says Tony Brown, a 73-year-old lorry driver, clinging to life in Barnet Hospital. He spoke for every patient in the room – some of them unconscious or wearing CPAP masks, which stands for continuous positive airway pressure. Nurses describe the high-pressure masks
It is still a “long, long, long way” before coronavirus cases are low enough for lockdown to be lifted, the health secretary has told Sky News. Matt Hancock said “early evidence” shows tough restrictions around the UK are starting to bring the number of new infections down, but he warned the NHS remains under “enormous”
Homes have been flooded and residents left in tears after defence barriers were breached in a town previously devastated by flooding last year. Bewdley in Worcestershire, which was hit by severe flooding last February, saw its temporary flood barrier overwhelmed overnight. Fire and rescue services have been out in boats helping people stuck in their
We’re stood in the same spot, in the same level of dirty flood water, as we were reporting from 11 months ago. Collapsed plastic barriers and rubbish float by, as the one diesel water pump that’s still working struggles in vain against the force of the River Severn in Bewdley. Residents who had their homes
The COVID-19 variant that was first identified in the UK may be more deadly than the original virus, the prime minister has warned. At the Downing Street news conference on Friday, Boris Johnson said: “There is some evidence that the new variant may be associated with a higher degree of mortality.” Mr Johnson added: “All
The percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 in England has decreased slightly but remains high, according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Around 1 in 55 people who are not in care homes, hospitals or other institutional settings had the virus in the week ending 16 January. In the last
Debbie Mountjoy couldn’t be with her brother Darren as he lay in intensive care with coronavirus. Nurses clutched his hand and stroked his head in the final moments of his life. Debbie had contracted COVID-19 herself and was self-isolating, along with nine other members of her family who had tested positive. The family has been
A new £800 fine for those who flout coronavirus rules by attending house parties will come into force next week. The penalty will apply to all those caught at the gatherings where more than 15 people are present, and double for each subsequent offence up to a maximum of £6,400. Home Secretary Priti Patel told
About 2,000 properties in Greater Manchester were being evacuated overnight due to flooding from Storm Christoph – as heavy snow also hit the region. Four severe “danger to life” warnings are in place in the North West, including in West Didsbury, East Disbury and Northenden, and in Maghull in Merseyside. There’s also a severe flood