COVID UPDATE
What did Health Secretary Sajid Javid say in his Covid-19 press conference tonight , October, 20?
HEALTH Secretary Sajid Javid gave a major Covid update at a press conference TONIGHT, October, 20.
Here's all what was said...
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What time was Sajid Javid's press conference?
Health Secretary Sajid Javid was due to hold a Downing Street news conference today (October 20, 2021).
The briefing was supposed to take place at 5pm, however after a brief delay, proceedings commenced at around 5:15pm.
What did Sajid Javid say?
Javid warned masks, working from home, and vaccine passports will be brought in unless more Brits get their booster jabs.
The Health Secretary insisted there's no need yet for any new coronavirus restrictions known as Plan B.
In a major pandemic update he sought to reassure people the fight against the virus is under control despite rising cases, hospitalisations, and deaths.
During his press conference, he said the "race between" the virus and vaccines is narrowing, adding that the government will redouble efforts to get people to get a jab.
He urged people to "take this huge step" towards helping themselves and others.
Javid also added Booster injections were "vital" in keeping people safe over the next few months.
He said: "The new Delta variant is spreading and, while there's no proof it poses a greater threat, there's a need to be ready for whatever's around the corner."
Mr Javid also added "If we can get through this period by doing the small things we can enjoy Christmas with our loved ones."
He revealed that four million booster jabs have been given so far - that's up from the most recent figure of 3.8m.
Most read in The Sun
Javid also issued a rallying cry to all unvaccinated to come forward.
He said: "We are going to do everything we can by strengthening our vaccine programme as primary line of defence, double efforts to encourage those eligible for the vaccine to get it.
"Almost 5 million over the age of 16 that remain unvaccinated.
"Young people aged between 12-15 can now get the vaccine and will be able to book jabs at vaccination centres as well as at school.
The health secretary also pointed to the addition of the new antiviral drug Dexamethasone, which will be used to treat Covid-19.
";We should be proud that the UK is at the forefront of treatments," said the health secretary.
"Dexamethasone is estimated to have saved one million lives across the world. Some of the most vulnerable patients across the NHS are already benefitting from ronapreve.
"We are seeing promising developments around antivirals too. They work by targeting the virus at the early stage and disrupting the way they develop and multiply.
"I am pleased to announce we have signed two landmark deals to supply hundreds of thousands of doses of two new antivirals.
"These antivirals have the potential to speed up recovery time and to stop infections from progressing.
"If they get MHRA approval then we can provide vulnerable patients with vital protection this summer. I want to deploy them as quickly as possible."
His appearance marked the first Covid press conference in five weeks.
It comes after The Sun launched a major campaign - Give Britain A Booster - to turbocharge Britain's flagging booster rollout.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
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Can I watch Sajid Javid's press conference on replay?
You can watch the speech on .
You can also watch on major news channels.
Back our Give Britain A Booster campaign to get Brits jabbed and save Christmas
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