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Britain could ease lockdown sooner if No10 was really following the data, a top Sage expert has claimed. Professor Mark Woolhouse, an infectious diseases expert, told a parliamentary committee today that the data was pointing to an ‘earlier unlocking’. ‘I completely agree that we don’t want to be overly focused on dates, not at all. … Read more
Nicola Sturgeon warned of vaccine shortages due to Pfizer issues today despite No10 insisting it is ‘confident’ the UK has enough. The First Minister said that the number of appointments being offered north of the border could be scaled back, blaming high uptake and Pfizer manufacturing problems. Ms Sturgeon told her daily briefing that the … Read more
SAGE warned only mandatory hotel quarantine for all UK travellers would ‘come close’ to to stop new strains entering the country, it has emerged. In a recommendation made on January 21, Government scientists said anything other than a ‘complete closure of borders’ or isolating every visitor in designated facilities would be took weak. SAGE’s unusually frank … Read more
Number 10 has launched the world’s first trial into whether mixing and matching coronavirus vaccines is safe and can enhance protection against the disease. The study of more than 800 patients will look at the effect of giving someone an initial dose of the Oxford University jab, followed by the Pfizer one, and vice versa. Scientists will … Read more
Matt Hancock was today urged to ensure every vulnerable Briton gets their second dose of Oxford University’s coronavirus vaccine within 12 weeks amid fears they may receive less protection if their top-up is delayed. A landmark study last night showed a single dose of the jab — made alongside drug giant AstraZeneca — was 76 … Read more
Downing Street today slapped down Ursula von der Leyen after she accused Britain of compromising on coronavirus vaccine safety and claimed the EU’s slower approval process was the ‘right decision’. Number 10 said experts at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) had been ‘very clear that no corners were cut, no stones were left unturned’ … Read more
SAGE urges No10 to make face masks compulsory outdoors in crowded areas to help stop the spread of super-infectious Kent variant Recommendation on January said advice on masks should be ‘strengthened’ SAGE called for people to consider wearing them outside in crowded areas In face of new variant mask wearing even more ‘important mitigation strategy’ … Read more
No10 slapped down Tory calls for a ‘road map’ out of lockdown today despite the R number dropping below the critical level of one and figures showing cases have halved in a fortnight. Downing Street defied mounting anger from MPs and more evidence of the outbreak has peaked, warning the NHS is still under huge … Read more
Boris Johnson will lead a No10 briefing tonight as he faces the wrath of Tories demanding a ‘road map’ for lifting Covid lockdown from March. The PM is to hold a press conference from Downing Street at 5pm amid mounting anxiety about how long the country will be under draconian curbs. On a visit to flood-hit Manchester … Read more
Boris Johnson is under mounting pressure to speed up the Covid vaccine rollout to care homes, after damning official figures revealed fatalities across the sector have doubled in a fortnight. Liz Kendall, Labour’s shadow social care minister, warned the UK is ‘in a race against time to vaccinate residents and staff’. She said: ‘The Government … Read more