UK

The UK has reported another 454 coronavirus deaths and 12,057 further cases, while more than 16.4 million have now received their first vaccine dose. Today’s figures are down on Wednesday when 738 further deaths and 12,718 new cases were recorded. They are also lower than they were a week ago – with 678 COVID-related deaths

One of the largest and most authoritative coronavirus surveys has found that infections are falling in England, confirming that lockdown is working to suppress the virus. Imperial College London’s REACT study found that infections had fallen by more than two-thirds since the last time it reported in mid-January. Last time, REACT found that 1 in

The Duke of Edinburgh has been admitted to hospital as a “precautionary measure” after feeling unwell, Buckingham Palace says. A palace spokesperson said the 99-year-old is “expected to remain in hospital for a few days of observation and rest”. A royal source said Prince Philip does not have a coronavirus-related illness and walked into hospital

The NHS is likely to remain under pressure for at least another six weeks, according to a top health executive. Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts in England, is calling on the prime minister to be cautious with the easing of restrictions. In a letter to Boris Johnson, he said

Another 799 COVID-related deaths and 10,625 more cases have been reported in the UK in the last 24 hours, government data shows. This is down from the 1,052 deaths and 12,364 cases recorded this time last week. That’s a fall since last Tuesday of 253 deaths and 1,739 cases respectively. Yesterday, a total 230 fatalities

The government is battling a “tsunami of disinformation” when it comes to coronavirus jabs, the vaccines minister has told Sky News. Nadhim Zahawi said that while overall COVID-19 “vaccine positivity” was high, those who are “vaccine hesitant” tend to “skew heavily” towards black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities. “There is a tsunami of disinformation,

Government scientists want to keep social distancing measures in place for the foreseeable future in a move that would hit shops, pubs, cinemas and theatres, Sky News has learnt. It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson made clear he would not allow the coronavirus to let rip through younger generations, suggesting he has embraced the

Everyone in the top four priority groups has been offered a coronavirus vaccine, the health secretary has confirmed. Speaking to Sky News, Matt Hancock said the government had met its target for offering a COVID-19 jab to all over 70s by Monday’s deadline. Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world Uptake has

More than 15 million people in the UK have received a first dose of a coronavirus jab, vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi has said. The figure means the government is expected to announce soon the target of offering first vaccinations to everyone in the top four priority groups by 15 February has been met. While the

A group of lockdown-sceptic MPs has told Boris Johnson that coronavirus restrictions must be fully lifted by the end of April. In a letter to the prime minister, the COVID Recovery Group said there will be “no justification” for restrictions to remain once all over-50s have been offered a jab. The CRG described reopening England’s

Surge testing is being introduced in more areas of England after cases of the coronavirus variant first discovered in South Africa were detected. The testing be deployed in: Middlesbrough within the TS7 postcode Areas in Walsall Specific areas in the RG26 postcode in Hampshire People in these areas are strongly encouraged to take a COVID

The families of those with substance abuse issues have spoken of the immense pressure and danger this lockdown is putting on their lives.  The isolation of lockdown is heightening the trauma and mental health issues associated with addiction. Naomi’s dad is alcohol and drug dependent. He has lived with numerous substance disorders his whole life,

The UK’s coronavirus reproduction number – or ‘R’ number – has fallen to below one for the first time since July. The figure is now between 0.7 and 0.9, according to the latest estimate. The R refers to the number of people an infected person will pass COVID-19 on to, and when the figure is

A lack of planning could affect the next phase of the coronavirus vaccine rollout, MPs have warned. The Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) praised the “world-beating” effort to get the jab to the most vulnerable, but said there is “much to be done” if the UK government is to hit its next target. Ministers are

Boris Johnson is under fire for imposing tougher coronavirus rules on children than adults, amid growing unrest amongst Tory MPs about the severity of ongoing restrictions. Anger among backbenchers spilled over after a Cabinet Office statement told parents to avoid taking kids to playgrounds if they had access to a private garden, prompting Tories to

It is “too early” to say if people will be allowed to take summer holidays abroad or in the UK, Boris Johnson has said. The prime minister stopped going as far as his transport secretary, who said this morning “people shouldn’t be booking holidays right now – not domestically or internationally”. Grant Shapps’ comments had