Covid UK news LIVE – Chris Whitty ‘assault’ video investigated by police after ‘yobbos’ grab him in the street
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SAJID Javid confirmed England WON'T unlock early on July 5 - as he urged Brits to hang on three more weeks for Freedom Day.
Making his first appearance in the Commons on Monday, the new Health Secretary said the Government will look to scrap the majority of restrictions on July 19.
The new Health Secretary ripped up the doomster handbook left by disgraced predecessor Matt Hancock, saying it was his “immediate priority” to end the restrictions.
The former Chancellor ripped up cushy consultancy jobs worth over £300,000 a year to become the people’s freedom fighter.
The business champion turned healthcare chief is well aware of the crippling effect of the pandemic restrictions on the nation’s economy.
Read our Coronavirus blog below for the latest news and updates...
‘ZERO TOLERANCE’
The “disgusting yobs” filmed grabbing Chris Whitty “must be found and charged” over their “appalling behaviour”, ministers have blasted.
They were speaking after the yobs filmed themselves putting England’s chief medical officer in a headlock and pushed in London’s St James Park.
In the footage, the two yobs can be seen approaching the top medic – who has been heralded for his sensible approach to guiding the UK through the pandemic – before suddenly grabbing him around his shoulders in London.
The upsetting footage shows the professor’s face turn red with the effort of trying to free himself from their clutches.
The new Health Secretary Sajid Javid branded the incident “appalling and totally unacceptable”.
WATCH: HEALTH SECRETARY SAYS THERE IS "NO GOING BACK" AFTER LOCKDOWN IS LIFTED
RED CROSS SAYS INDONESIA’S COVID-19 SURGE IS A “CATASTROPHE”
Indonesia’s Covid-19 surge is on the edge of a “catastrophe” as the more infectious Delta variant dominates transmission and chokes hospitals in Southeast Asia’s worst epidemic, the Red Cross said on Tuesday.
Indonesia has reported record daily Covid-19 infections of more than 20,000 in recent days, in a new wave of infections fueled by the emergence of highly transmissible virus variants and increased mobility after the Muslim fasting month.
“Every day we are seeing this Delta variant driving Indonesia closer to the edge of a Covid-19 catastrophe,” said Jan Gelfand, head of the Indonesian delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), urging better vaccine access globally.
Hospitals in several designated “red zone” areas have reported overcapacity, including the capital Jakarta, with its isolation beds 93% occupied as of Sunday.
SHORE THING
Jersey has added the UK to its red list, meaning all unvaccinated arrivals must quarantine for 10 days.
The island has enforced the new rules due to the threat of the Delta variant, with cases rising in the UK.
Brits visiting the island who haven't had both jabs will have to self-isolate for 10 days, with a test on arrival, as well as on day five and day 10.
Vaccinated Brits will be tested on arrival but only have to isolate until they receive their results, followed by a test on day eight.
The largest of the Channel Islands is just the latest destination to enforce new restrictions on UK travellers due to the new variant.
SURGE IN COVID CASES LIKELY ‘LINKED TO FOOTBALL FANS WATCHING THE EUROS, SAYS SCOTTISH HEALTH SECRETARY
The surge in coronavirus cases is partly linked to football fans watching the Euro 2020 tournament indoors, Scotland’s Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has said.
A number of cases have also been linked to coaches transporting fans to London to watch Scotland play, Mr Yousaf added.
On Monday, the daily coronavirus figures showed 3,285 people had reported positive Covid-19 tests overnight, the highest number since the start of the pandemic.
However, vaccination has weakened the link between cases and being taken to hospital.
Speaking to the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Yousaf said the Government was being cautious, but ministers are not looking at introducing further restrictions in the worst-affected areas.
He said: “If we look at the data that’s presented, it’s very clear that it’s skewed disproportionately towards young males, those under 40.”
‘ZERO TOLERANCE’
The “disgusting yobs” filmed grabbing Chris Whitty “must be found and charged” over their “appalling behaviour”, ministers have blasted.
They were speaking after the yobs filmed themselves putting England’s chief medical officer in a headlock and pushed in London’s St James Park.
In the footage, the two yobs can be seen approaching the top medic – who has been heralded for his sensible approach to guiding the UK through the pandemic – before suddenly grabbing him around his shoulders in London.
The upsetting footage shows the professor’s face turn red with the effort of trying to free himself from their clutches.
The new Health Secretary Sajid Javid branded the incident “appalling and totally unacceptable”.
MATT HANCOCK WON’T TAKE £16,000 SEVERANCE PAY OUT AFTER QUITTING IN DISGRACE OVER AIDE AFFAIR
MATT Hancock will reportedly NOT accept £16,000 in severance pay after quitting in disgrace over his fling with Gina Coladangelo.
The Health Secretary, 42, resigned amid mounting pressure over images of him kissing and cuddling the aide in breach of Covid restrictions.
And despite admitting he had “let down” millions who had made painful sacrifices during the pandemic he is, in theory, eligible for thousands of pounds.
However, the Daily Telegraph understands Mr Hancock will not take the severance payments.
Any decisions to take severance pay outs are published in annual parliamentary accounts – so the actual answer may not be known until next summer.
SAJID JAVID CONFIRMS JULY 19 AS DATE FOR ENGLAND’S LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS TO END
Boris Johnson and his new Health Secretary Sajid Javid have confirmed their intention for July 19 to mark the end of England’s lockdown restrictions.
Mr Javid resisted pressure from Tory MPs to bring forward the date of Step 4 of the road map, but he said there was “no reason” why the July 19 deadline would not be met.
The Prime Minister signalled that the “terminus” date would mean going “back to life as it was before Covid as far as possible”.
In his first Commons statement since replacing Matt Hancock, Mr Javid told MPs: “There remains a big task ahead of us to restore our freedoms – freedoms that, save for the greatest of circumstances, no government should ever wish to curtail.
“So my task is to help return the economic and cultural life that makes this country so great while of course protecting life and our NHS.”
UPDATED COVID DEATHS
A total of 102 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending June 18 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) – up 21% on the previous week.
It is the first time the number of deaths has been above 100 since the week ending May 21.
All of the 102 deaths were registered in England.
This is the first week since the start of the pandemic that Wales has registered zero deaths involving Covid-19, the ONS said.
BREAKING POINT
Brits could be released from Covid restrictions and enter into a mental health pandemic, an expert has warned.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has consistently highlighted the “roadmap out of lockdown”, but the mental health of the nation has taken a back seat during the pandemic.
The government has failed to address the dark side of lockdowns, Dr Raj Persaud fears.
Over the last year over a fifth of people in Britain have experienced some form of depression - more than double the pre-pandemic figure, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) states.
It was also previously reported that the pandemic is the "greatest threat to mental health" since the second world war and others have bravely spoken out about how the impact of the pandemic made them want to take their lives.
COVID-19 ANTIBODY LEVELS VARY ACCORDING TO VACCINE AND PAST INFECTION – STUDY
Two doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine induces lower levels of antibodies against the variant first detected in India than against other strains, new research suggests.
The laboratory findings from the Francis Crick Institute and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) UCLH Biomedical Research Centre compared the results to their findings in relation to the Pfizer/BioNTech jab.
The data suggests that both vaccines induce lower levels of antibodies targeting the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant.
Researchers found that two doses of the Oxford jab generate antibody levels that are 2.5 times lower against the Delta variant than the Pfizer vaccine.
While antibody levels alone do not predict vaccine effectiveness, the study confirms that two doses of either vaccine are essential to boost antibodies to levels that are likely to maximise the amount of protection against severe disease and hospital admission.
WATCH: COVID CASES RISE BY 70% IN BIGGEST DAILY SURGE SINCE JANUARY
RED CROSS SAYS INDONESIA'S COVID-19 SURGE IS A "CATASTROPHE"
Indonesia's Covid-19 surge is on the edge of a "catastrophe" as the more infectious Delta variant dominates transmission and chokes hospitals in Southeast Asia's worst epidemic, the Red Cross said on Tuesday.
Indonesia has reported record daily Covid-19 infections of more than 20,000 in recent days, in a new wave of infections fueled by the emergence of highly transmissible virus variants and increased mobility after the Muslim fasting month.
"Every day we are seeing this Delta variant driving Indonesia closer to the edge of a Covid-19 catastrophe," said Jan Gelfand, head of the Indonesian delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), urging better vaccine access globally.
Hospitals in several designated "red zone" areas have reported overcapacity, including the capital Jakarta, with its isolation beds 93% occupied as of Sunday.
‘ZERO TOLERANCE’
The “disgusting yobs” filmed grabbing Chris Whitty “must be found and charged” over their “appalling behaviour”, ministers have blasted.
They were speaking after the yobs filmed themselves putting England’s chief medical officer in a headlock and pushed in London’s St James Park.
In the footage, the two yobs can be seen approaching the top medic – who has been heralded for his sensible approach to guiding the UK through the pandemic – before suddenly grabbing him around his shoulders in London.
The upsetting footage shows the professor’s face turn red with the effort of trying to free himself from their clutches.
The new Health Secretary Sajid Javid branded the incident “appalling and totally unacceptable”.
CLASS RETHINK
Draconian measures which mean entire school classes have to isolate if one child gets Covid-19 could be ditched, Sajid Javid hinted last night.
The new Health Secretary has ordered officials to look again at the policy in a bid to keep millions in school.
MATT HANCOCK WON’T TAKE £16,000 SEVERANCE PAY OUT AFTER QUITTING IN DISGRACE OVER AIDE AFFAIR
Matt Hancock will reportedly NOT accept £16,000 in severance pay after quitting in disgrace over his fling with Gina Coladangelo.
The Health Secretary, 42, resigned amid mounting pressure over images of him kissing and cuddling the aide in breach of Covid restrictions.
And despite admitting he had “let down” millions who had made painful sacrifices during the pandemic he is, in theory, eligible for thousands of pounds.
However, the Daily Telegraph understands Mr Hancock will not take the severance payments.
Any decisions to take severance pay outs are published in annual parliamentary accounts – so the actual answer may not be known until next summer.
SURGE IN COVID CASES LIKELY 'LINKED TO FOOTBALL FANS WATCHING THE EUROS, SAYS SCOTTISH HEALTH SECRETARY
The surge in coronavirus cases is partly linked to football fans watching the Euro 2020 tournament indoors, Scotland's Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has said.
A number of cases have also been linked to coaches transporting fans to London to watch Scotland play, Mr Yousaf added.
On Monday, the daily coronavirus figures showed 3,285 people had reported positive Covid-19 tests overnight, the highest number since the start of the pandemic.
However, vaccination has weakened the link between cases and being taken to hospital.
Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Yousaf said the Government was being cautious, but ministers are not looking at introducing further restrictions in the worst-affected areas.
He said: "If we look at the data that's presented, it's very clear that it's skewed disproportionately towards young males, those under 40."
SCHOOL ISOLATION RULES COULD END IN AUTUMN, SAYS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
School isolation rules in England could be brought to an end this autumn, the Department for Education has confirmed.
There are growing concerns about the rising number of children who have to quarantine because they are the contacts of confirmed cases.
The department said ministers have written to secondary schools asking them to prepare to potentially replace isolation rules with testing.
A spokesman said: "We are provisionally asking secondary schools and colleges to prepare to offer on-site testing when students return for the new academic year, so that schools are ready in case it is needed to keep as many children as possible in face-to-face education.
"We will provide further details about the approach to protective measures and test and trace in education from September in due course."
KEYWORKERS AND ‘INSPIRATIONAL INDIVIDUALS’ GIVEN STANDING OVATION AT WIMBLEDON
Medical staff and other “inspirational individuals” who have been invited to the Royal Box on the first day of this year’s Wimbledon were given a standing ovation before the first match on Centre Court.
Guests included Hannah Ingram-Moore, daughter of veteran fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised over £32 million for the NHS, as well as designers of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.
Announcers paid tribute to the “important work” done by keyworkers before the first game on Centre Court which saw defending champion Novak Djokovic beat 19-year-old Jack Draper from the UK in four sets.
Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, who co-designed the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, also attended the Royal Box, and she and her colleagues were applauded and cheered by other match-goers.
Tributes were also paid after the match, led by the Prime Minister and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
UPDATED COVID DEATHS
A total of 102 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending June 18 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) - up 21% on the previous week.
It is the first time the number of deaths has been above 100 since the week ending May 21.
All of the 102 deaths were registered in England.
This is the first week since the start of the pandemic that Wales has registered zero deaths involving Covid-19, the ONS said.
CHILDREN’S COMMISSIONER CALLS FOR AN END TO SCHOOL BUBBLES
Bubble arrangements and self-isolation for school pupils should end as soon as possible, the new Children’s Commissioner for England has said.
Dame Rachel de Souza said there was an urgent need for children to get back to normal as lockdown restrictions had been a “real trauma” for many young people.
Her call came as The Guardian reported ministers are preparing to overhaul the system for schools in England when they return in September following the summer break.
The paper said an announcement may be made in the coming days to allow schools time to prepare, with the requirement to quarantine expected to be replaced with a new testing regime.
Currently children have to self-isolate for 10 days if another pupil in their bubble tests positive for coronavirus.
CLASS RETHINK
Draconian measures which mean entire school classes have to isolate if one child gets Covid-19 could be ditched, Sajid Javid hinted last night.
The new Health Secretary has ordered officials to look again at the policy in a bid to keep millions in school.
COVID-19 ANTIBODY LEVELS VARY ACCORDING TO VACCINE AND PAST INFECTION – STUDY
Two doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine induces lower levels of antibodies against the variant first detected in India than against other strains, new research suggests.
The laboratory findings from the Francis Crick Institute and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) UCLH Biomedical Research Centre compared the results to their findings in relation to the Pfizer/BioNTech jab.
The data suggests that both vaccines induce lower levels of antibodies targeting the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant.
Researchers found that two doses of the Oxford jab generate antibody levels that are 2.5 times lower against the Delta variant than the Pfizer vaccine.
While antibody levels alone do not predict vaccine effectiveness, the study confirms that two doses of either vaccine are essential to boost antibodies to levels that are likely to maximise the amount of protection against severe disease and hospital admission.