Covid UK news LIVE – Govt vaccine target to jab vulnerable on track as lockdown could be over for ‘great British summer’

BEATING COVID 'AS GOOD AS GETTING VACCINE'

People who have suffered with Covid and made a recovery have similar levels of protection against the virus as vaccinated patients, a major study has found.

Public Health England found prior infection slashed the chances of falling unwell again by at least 90 per cent.

Experts said protection for recovered Brits was “at least as good” as that given by the jab.

In the largest study of its kind, involving nearly 21,000 NHS workers, researchers found the “vast majority” had immunity against the virus six months after initially catching it.  

'WE CAN'T FALL AT THE FINAL FENCE'

The Sun had an exclusive chat with Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van-Tam - and he's warned the UK is in a Grand National-style race to beat Covid.

The expert says we can't fall at the final fence - meaning we could have to stick to lockdown and social distancing rules until "mid to late spring".

He told readers: "That’s the problem right now - disease activity is really high. But people are starting to think, oh well the vaccine is coming along I can relax a bit now.

“No, no no no. The vaccine effects are going to take three months until we see them properly, and until then no one can relax.

“We are probably in the last few furlongs of this race - like in the Grand National. We just have a couple more fences, we have just got to stick with it.”

Here's the story.

BRITS TO GET COVID JAB 24/7

Boris Johnson has vowed a round-the-clock roll-out of the Covid jab in 24/7 vaccination centres "as soon as we can".

He also hailed The Sun's Jabs Army drive, urging 450,000 civil servants to join to help.

It means that 400,000 people could soon be getting vaccinated a day.

Here's what you need to know.

Image: PA

UK LEADS THE WAY

It was yesterday revealed the UK has given 10 times more jabs than many of its European neighbours.

More than 2.4 million people - almost four per cent of the UK population - has received a jab.

Another 400,000 have been given out as second doses.

But so far, countries such as France and the Netherlands have delivered less than a tenth of the number of jabs.

'LET'S GET OFF OUR BOTTOMS AND VOLUNTEER'

Jeremy Clarkson has urged readers to join our Jabs Army - and support the roll-out of the vaccine across the UK.

He said: “Everyone is saying how bored they are.

"They’ve watched Netflix, gone through everything on the internet, read Google.

“Well let’s not be bored — let’s get off our bottoms and volunteer.”

Here's what you need to know about joining.

SUPERMARKETS SHOULD ENFORCE MASK-WEARING, SAYS MINISTER

All supermarkets should follow Morrisons' lead and enforce the wearing of masks in stores, policing minister Kit Malthouse.

Speaking to Times Radio, Malthouse was asked why he thought many supermarkets don't have measures in place already.

"I think that, understandably, following the November lockdown there was an element of release and therefore the person at the door, the sanitation station, the traffic light system, the queues outside obviously receded a bit," he said.

"What we hope now, and I know all of them will, that they'll see their responsibility and start to put those things back in place."

Asked whether police should intervene, he said some officers have issued fines in retail settings, adding: "What we hope is the vast majority of people, or everybody, will be encouraged to do so by the shop owner."

RULE BREAKERS 'INCREASINGLY LIKELY' TO BE FINED, SAYS MET COMMISSIONER

Anyone who breaks coronavirus lockdown rules is "increasingly likely" to face a fine, Britain's most senior police officer has warned.

Writing in The Times, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said: "It is preposterous to me that anyone could be unaware of our duty to do all we can to stop the spread of the virus.

"We have been clear that those who breach Covid-19 legislation are increasingly likely to face fines."

COULD SOCIAL DISTANCING BE INCREASED?

Brits may have to observe tough new social distancing rules in the battle to bring surging Covid rates down.

The PM is facing renewed pressure from Sage to increase the distance to three metres.

Experts in the group reportedly told him they want the measure increased from "one metre plus" to "two metre plus".

Here's everything you need to know.

DU-BYE!

The UAE has been removed from Britain's travel corridor list - meaning travellers will need to self-isolate on their return.

Influencers spending time in Dubai this winter are among those who will now have to quarantine after it was booted off the nation’s safe list of destinations.

Here's everything you need to know.

HORROR ON THE WARDS

The Sun has been given exclusive access to a Covid ward at a north-west London hospital.

And our harrowing photos show the extent of the crisis facing the NHS.

Here's everything you need to know.

NO HERD IMMUNITY IN 2021, SAYS WHO

Scientists at the World Health Organisation (WHO) have warned mass vaccinations will not bring about herd immunity to the coronavirus this year.

The WHO's chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan says it'll take time to produce and give enough shots to halt the spread of the virus.

"We are not going to achieve any levels of population immunity or herd immunity in 2021," she said, stressing the need to maintain physical distancing, hand-washing and mask-wearing.

CHINA REPORTS 55 NEW COVID CASES

China reported 55 new Covid-19 cases on Jan. 11, down from 103 cases a day earlier, the national health authority said on Tuesday.

The National Health Commission said in a statement that 40 of the 42 local infections were in Hebei, the province surrounding Beijing and the worst-hit region in the latest spike in new cases.

The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, rose to 81 from 76 cases a day earlier.

WATCH: UK HAS GIVEN MORE COVID VACCINES THAN REST OF EUROPE COMBINED

CONTINUED

Superintendent Mike Walker said: "This couple were incredibly fortunate to have come through this experience without injury and be able to tell the tale.

"We very clearly advised members of the public this weekend to stay at home and when taking exercise, stay local to stop the spread of Covid.

"Quite simply driving miles and miles, out of your village, town or city to visit an open space is not a necessary journey and is not acceptable.

"Neither is arriving at a challenging walking location, inexperienced and unprepared in treacherous weather conditions.

"By making an irresponsible and ill-informed decision, the safety of others, such as the Cave Rescue Organisation volunteers, is also put in jeopardy and if any injury resulted, pressure upon already stretched NHS resources."

POLICE URGE PUBLIC TO 'CONSIDER THEIR ACTIONS' AFTER WEEKEND OF COVID BREACHES

Police have urged people to "really consider their actions" after one force handed out more than 70 fines for Covid regulation breaches and rescued two "ill-equipped" walkers from a mountain summit.

North Yorkshire Police said the couple, a man and a woman from Rochdale in Greater Manchester, were "incredibly fortunate" not to have been injured after they got into difficulty in poor weather at the summit of Ingleborough on Sunday.

The force said officers also had to turn away numerous out-of-area visitors who had come "for a drive" or "to look at the snow", were called to several house parties and handed out dozens of fixed penalty notices.

A spokesman said the pair contacted police at 4.30pm on Sunday after they lost their way due to failing light and low-lying fog, ice and snow and were brought to safety by the Cave Rescue Organisation.

GRAPH: UK COVID-19 CASES AND DEATHS PER DAY

SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH GETS COVID VACCINE

Sir David Attenborough has received his Covid-19 vaccination, The Sun can reveal.

The 94-year-old TV legend had his jab last week, within days of the Queen who is the same age.

The Perfect Planet star is believed to have had the Oxford vaccine following its roll-out last Monday.

Last night a source said: "Sir David was always keen to get vaccinated, and support both the current programme and the NHS.

"Of course, as well as his family and loved ones, millions of animal fans across the globe will be delighted - this is brilliant news."

UK ECONOMY WILL 'GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER' WARNS CHANCELLOR

Rishi Sunak has warned the UK economy will “get worse before it gets better” as businesses and households endure the latest lockdown measures to try to bring the coronavirus pandemic back under control.

“Even with the significant economic support we’ve provided, over 800,000 people have lost their job since February,” the chancellor told the House of Commons on Monday.

TWO GORILLAS AT SAN DIEGO ZOO TEST POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS

Two captive gorillas at the San Diego Zoo have tested positive for COVID-19 after falling ill, and a third gorilla appears also to be symptomatic, California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Monday in an online update about the coronavirus pandemic.

Newsom said the source of infection is still being investigated to determine whether the virus was transmitted between animals or from humans to the apes.

SAINSBURY'S WILL POST TRAINED SECURITY GUARDS AT SHOPS TO 'CHALLENGE' CUSTOMERS NOT WEARING MASKS

Sainsbury's has confirmed it will post trained security guards at shop entrances to "challenge" any customers not wearing a mask or shopping in groups.

Chief executive Simon Roberts said: "I've spent a lot of time in our stores reviewing the latest situation over the last few days and on behalf of all my colleagues, I am asking our customers to help us keep everyone safe.

"The vast majority of customers are shopping safely, but I have also seen some customers trying to shop without a mask and shopping in larger family groups.

"Please help us to keep all our colleagues and customers safe by always wearing a mask and by shopping alone. Everyone's care and consideration matters now more than ever."

UAE REMOVED FROM UK TRAVEL CORRIDOR LIST

UAE has been removed from Britain's travel corridor list - meaning travellers will need to self-isolate on their return.

Bikini-clad influencers will now have to quarantine when they come back from Dubai after it was booted off the nation’s safe list of destinations.

The middle eastern holiday hotspot, which has rammed full of celebrity influencers like Gabby Allen, Amber Gill and Molly-Mae Hague has seen a spike in cases - which have doubled in a week.

It was removed from the safe list tonight, meaning passengers returning need to self-isolate for 10 days on their return from Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "The LATEST data indicates we need to immediately remove the #UAE from the #TRAVELCORRIDOR list.

"From 0400 Tuesday 12 Jan anyone arriving from the UAE will need to SELF-ISOLATE."

Read more here.

RULES IN ENGLAND DURING LOCKDOWN

HANCOCK WARNS NHS UNDER 'SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE', ASKS PUBLIC TO FOLLOW RULES

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has pleaded with the public to follow coronavirus rules as new figures show nearly 2.3 million people in the UK have had a vaccine jab.

Mr Hancock said the new variant of coronavirus is "highly contagious and it is putting the NHS under very significant pressure" as he addressed a Downing Street briefing.

He echoed comments made earlier by England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, saying "we're at the worst point in this pandemic".

And he added: "The NHS, more than ever before, needs everybody to be doing something right now - and that something is to follow the rules. I know there has been speculation about more restrictions, and we don't rule out taking further action if it is needed, but it is your actions now that can make a difference.

"Stay at home, and please reduce all social contact that is not absolutely strictly necessary. That's what is needed: act like you have the virus."

CUTTING IT FINE

The two women who were slapped with a £200 fine each for driving five miles to go for a walk in a park have had their penalty notices dropped, it has been reported.

Last week, Jessica Allen and Eliza Moore told how they were "surrounded by cops" and that the drinks they had with them - two peppermint teas from Starbucks - were classed “as a picnic.”

Read more here.

GRAPHIC: HOW THE VACCINE WORKS