Breaking news
Amid a worsening death toll, soaring infections, and intense pressure on the NHS, the Covid crisis could hardly appear more grim. But as the new year begins, the vaccination programme provides genuine hope that the disease could be conquered. This crucial initiative was given a huge boost on Wednesday by the approval of the Oxford-AstraZeneca … Read more
Rarely has the midwinter seemed so bleak. Lockdown has returned with a new intensity, Christmas is curtailed by official edict and around half the population is effectively under house arrest. The Government justifies this draconian approach by warning that a dangerous new strain of coronavirus is ‘out of control’, to use the alarming phraseology of … Read more
Nicola Sturgeon yesterday announced a further step towards another total Scottish lockdown. And I fear that Boris Johnson, still relying on his tight cadre of scientific advisers, will move in the same direction. But nine months into a pandemic that has become a nightmare of our own making, one thing is becoming clear: Such restrictions … Read more
Scientists have questioned whether the UK is likely to see 50,000 new infections a day by next month as projected by the Government’s chief scientific adviser. Sir Patrick Vallance yesterday said he believed the epidemic was doubling every seven days, which would lead to 200 deaths a day by mid-November. The chief scientific adviser stressed that … Read more
England’s deputy chief medical officer today pleaded with Britons ‘not to tear the pants out of’ the loosened lockdown when more freedoms are granted on Monday. Professor Jonathan Van Tam gave his colourful instruction as sun-seekers today crowded on to the nation’s beaches and warned that abusing new liberties would fuel the spread of infection. … Read more