THE current wave of coronavirus in the UK is already starting to slow down and will peak within a matter of weeks it has been claimed.
Britain is currently going throwing a "mini wave" of infections primarily among young people rather than a full scale third wave, data from the Covid-19 data gathering Zoe app appeared to show.
In fully and partly vaccinated groups, the increase in infections has fallen from 89% to 53% in recent days suggesting jabs are pushing back the spike and keeping those most at risk safe.
Professor Tim Spector, lead scientist on the ZOE Covid study app and professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s, told The Telegraph that it looked as though cases would peak within two weeks.
“This has been a much better week than it was last week…Rates in the North West and Scotland are still going up but you can definitely see signs they are starting to level off. London look like it's starting to slow down.
“If we look at the way past waves have come and gone I would be predicting that this should be peaking around 10 to 14 days time and then start to fall, so by four weeks we are at a much lower level than we are now, and much more manageable.
Read our coronavirus live blog below for the latest news and updates…
- Joseph Gamp
DELTA VARIANT HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS
806 people in England have been admitted to hospital with the Delta variant of Covid-19 as of June 14, a rise of 423 on the previous week, according to new figures from Public Health England.
Of the 806, 527 (65%) were unvaccinated, 135 (17%) were more than 21 days after their first dose of vaccine, and 84 (10%) were more than 14 days after their second dose.
As of June 14, there have been 73 deaths in England of people who were confirmed as having the Delta variant and who died within 28 days of a positive test.
Of this number, 34 (47%) were unvaccinated, 10 (14%) were more than 21 days after their first dose of vaccine and 26 (36%) were more than 14 days after their second dose.
- Joseph Gamp
80% OF THE UK POPULATION HAS BEEN GIVEN AT LEAST THEIR FIRST DOSE, LATEST FIGURES SHOW
Four in five adults in the UK are estimated to have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, latest figures show.
A total of 42,216,654 first doses have now been delivered since the vaccination rollout began more than six months ago.
This is the equivalent of 80.1% of all people aged 18 and over.
Wales: 88.2% (2,225,499 first doses)
Scotland: 80.6% (3,571,726 first doses)
England: 79.9% (35,290,759 first doses)
Northern Ireland: 77.7% (1,128,670 first doses)
- Joseph Gamp
UK COVID CASES PASS 11,000 FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE FEBRUARY AND DEATHS HIGHEST IN A MONTH
UK Covid cases pass 11,000 for the first time since February and deaths highest in a MONTH
- Joseph Gamp
POLICE WARN FOOTBALL FANS NOT TO COME TO LONDON FOR EUROS
Football fans who do not have tickets for Euro 2020 games should not travel to London amid ongoing Covid restrictions, a senior police officer has warned.
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor told LBC radio: “We’re asking people to work with us.
“We know people want to come and enjoy it, but all the events in London are ticketed only and, with the current Covid restrictions, spaces in pubs and bars will be limited.
“So if people don’t have tickets, we would ask them not to come to London.”
His comments came ahead of England facing off against Scotland at Wembley Stadium on Friday night.
- Joseph Gamp
KEIR STARMER CALLS FOR GLOBAL COOPERATION ON VACCINE PASSPORTS
Sir Keir Starmer said that any scheme opening up summer holidays for Britons who have been vaccinated should be a “global agreement” but stressed the importance of borders being secure to prevent new variants entering the UK.
“Everybody wants to get back to normal and to open up just as quickly as we can,” the Labour leader told reporters during a visit to Bristol.
“People want to go on holiday, business people need to travel across the world for business, so the sooner we can get to that, the better.
“If there is a scheme that can be used, a vaccine scheme that is practical and that has global agreements, all countries have agreed on it, then we can make some progress.
“Frankly at the moment, the more important thing is making sure our borders are secure, so that we can get on with vaccinating everybody before we let any more variants in.”
- Joseph Gamp
COMPULSORY COVID JABS SCRAPPED FOR CARE STAFF IN WALES
The Welsh Government will not make it compulsory for care staff to have a Covid-19 vaccination, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said.
Mr Drakeford told Sky News: "We already have very high levels of take-up of the vaccination amongst care home staff and we've done that by persuasion and by conversation and voluntarily. Well over 90% of our care home staff have had a first dose and nearly 90% have had a second dose.
"So we're pressing ahead to try to make sure we have those remaining staff members offered the vaccine, taking up the vaccine, but if you can do it voluntarily then I think that is a much stronger basis from which to go on persuading people to do the right thing.
"I certainly think that they ought to, that's definitely our position here, but there is a very big step taken when you move into compulsion.
"Our belief is that actually it would undermine our programme in Wales, which has been the most successful in the United Kingdom, and has been done on the basis of people knowing that when they come forward for vaccination, they are helping themselves of course but they are helping everybody else as well. That sense of voluntary participation in the programme is very important to us and has been part of our success."
- Joseph Gamp
GRAPHIC: UK COVID-19 CASES AND DEATHS PER DAY
- Joseph Gamp
NO COMPULSORY ORDER FOR BRITS TO RETURN TO OFFICES
Policing minister Kit Malthouse said the Government did not have any intention to make it compulsory to return to the office, while there will be a consultation on more flexible working going forward.
"This is a situation for employers and employees to discuss and negotiate themselves," he told Sky News.
"I know there has been some media about this over the last two or three days, we don't have any intention to make it compulsory to return to the office.
"Our manifesto at the last election did contain a pledge to consult on more flexible working to allow people to work from home should they wish to, and we will be doing that later on this year."
- Joseph Gamp
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION ON WORKING FROM HOME 'NOT NEEDED' SAY BUSINESS LEADERS
Business leaders believe hybrid working will remain after the pandemic despite reports that the Government is planning to make working from home a default position.
One employment expert told the PA news agency that Government intervention was not needed, as firms decide what will work best for them and their staff when the lockdown finally ends.
Unions warned of a risk of a two-tier workforce, divided between those who can work from home being given flexibility, and those who cannot being given none.
The Conservative 2019 manifesto before the pandemic promised to legislate for flexible working, while ministers today talked about a “balanced return to work”.
- Joseph Gamp
MARK DRAKEFORD: DELTA VARIANT RISKS 'UNSUSTAINABLE PRESSURE ON HEALTH SERVICE'
First Minister Mark Drakeford said the delay of the further easing of coronavirus restrictions in Wales would allow it to gather data on whether the spread of the Delta variant risked putting "unsustainable pressure" on the health service.
Asked why the decision had been made by BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: "Because the Delta variant is now in every part of Wales and because it is being transmitted at a community level, we need to pause the changes we had hoped to make in order for us to get better data on whether the number of people falling ill, and we know that number's going to go up in Wales, does that translate into additional and unsustainable pressure on the health service?"
He added: "Our scientists tell us another couple of weeks will give us that data and in the meantime we will be pressing ahead, vaccinating over half a million more people in these four weeks, building up our defences in that way."
Mr Drakeford was asked if he could commit to easing restrictions completely after July 15.
He replied: "I can't say that because I do not know and nobody else knows what the impact of the Delta variant will be by then."
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ALL OVER 18s TO GET THEIR JABS FROM TODAY, SAYS HANCOCK
Everyone over the age of 18 in England will be able to book their Covid-19 vaccine from Friday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced yesterday.
Speaking at the NHS Confed conference, Mr Hancock said a first dose has been given to four out of five adults.
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80% OF THE UK POPULATION HAS BEEN GIVEN AT LEAST THEIR FIRST DOSE, LATEST FIGURES SHOW
Four in five adults in the UK are estimated to have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, latest figures show.
A total of 42,216,654 first doses have now been delivered since the vaccination rollout began more than six months ago.
This is the equivalent of 80.1% of all people aged 18 and over.
Wales: 88.2% (2,225,499 first doses)
Scotland: 80.6% (3,571,726 first doses)
England: 79.9% (35,290,759 first doses)
Northern Ireland: 77.7% (1,128,670 first doses)
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POLICE WARN FOOTBALL FANS NOT TO COME TO LONDON FOR EUROs
Football fans who do not have tickets for Euro 2020 games should not travel to London amid ongoing Covid restrictions, a senior police officer has warned.
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor told LBC radio: “We’re asking people to work with us.
“We know people want to come and enjoy it, but all the events in London are ticketed only and, with the current Covid restrictions, spaces in pubs and bars will be limited.
“So if people don’t have tickets, we would ask them not to come to London.”
His comments came ahead of England facing off against Scotland at Wembley Stadium on Friday night.
- [email protected]
KEIR STARMER CALLS FOR GLOBAL COOPERATION ON VACCINE PASSPORTS
Sir Keir Starmer said that any scheme opening up summer holidays for Britons who have been vaccinated should be a “global agreement” but stressed the importance of borders being secure to prevent new variants entering the UK.
“Everybody wants to get back to normal and to open up just as quickly as we can,” the Labour leader told reporters during a visit to Bristol.
“People want to go on holiday, business people need to travel across the world for business, so the sooner we can get to that, the better.
“If there is a scheme that can be used, a vaccine scheme that is practical and that has global agreements, all countries have agreed on it, then we can make some progress.
“Frankly at the moment, the more important thing is making sure our borders are secure, so that we can get on with vaccinating everybody before we let any more variants in.”
- [email protected]
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION ON WORKING FROM HOME “NOT NEEDED” SAYS BUSINESS LEADERS
Business leaders believe hybrid working will remain after the pandemic despite reports that the Government is planning to make working from home a default position.
One employment expert told the PA news agency that Government intervention was not needed, as firms decide what will work best for them and their staff when the lockdown finally ends.
Unions warned of a risk of a two-tier workforce, divided between those who can work from home being given flexibility, and those who cannot being given none.
The Conservative 2019 manifesto before the pandemic promised to legislate for flexible working, while ministers today talked about a “balanced return to work”.
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SCIENTISTS ARE DEVELOPING A SALVIA TEST FOR COVID-19
A university is trialing the use of saliva samples to test for Covid-19, a move researchers claim could be “transformative” for screening large numbers of people and cuts the risk of community transmission.
Scientists behind the pilot TestEd scheme at the University of Edinburgh said it is potentially more accurate, less invasive and cheaper than current tests.
The tests use a saliva sample in a tube which undergoes hypercube sample pooling to allow dozens of samples to be PCR-tested simultaneously.
Pooling the samples reduces the costs and time involved in processing existing PCR tests but maintains accuracy, researchers said, unlike the lateral flow tests which are available to those without symptoms but are less accurate.
The saliva tests will be offered twice-weekly to all students and staff as they return to campus and aim to detect infections before symptoms appear to minimise transmission.
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WATCH: MPs BACK COVID RESTRICTIONS EXTENSION TO 19 JULY
MPs back extension of Covid restrictions until July 19 after PM faces pressure from own party over June 21 delay
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GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION ON WORKING FROM HOME “NOT NEEDED” SAYS BUSINESS LEADERS
Business leaders believe hybrid working will remain after the pandemic despite reports that the Government is planning to make working from home a default position.
One employment expert told the PA news agency that Government intervention was not needed, as firms decide what will work best for them and their staff when the lockdown finally ends.
Unions warned of a risk of a two-tier workforce, divided between those who can work from home being given flexibility, and those who cannot being given none.
The Conservative 2019 manifesto before the pandemic promised to legislate for flexible working, while ministers today talked about a “balanced return to work”.
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CLASSIC DOM CONTINUED
Cummings, who was severely critical of Health Secretary Matt Hancock during his testimony to MPs last month, says he is “creating a new version of reality”.
He says Hancock is claiming he came up with the idea to ramp up testing on 14 March and announced his 100K testing target on 2 April as “an inspired and heroic move” to “provide leadership”.
Instead, he says Hancock was forced to ramp up testing and the targets were set before he announced them. Cummings further claims responsibility for testing was taken from the Health Sec in May because he lied about it in March and April.
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CLASSIC DOM
Dominic Cummings has published an over 7,000 word blog post revealing more about how the Government handled the early days of the pandemic.
He claims the Government is trying to rewrite history with its claims that it took Covid-19 seriously from the start and that herd immunity was never the plan.
The former No10 adviser compared the Government’s early response to appeasement just before the Second World War and says their claims today would be as if “No10 had said in summer 1940, ‘yes, our appeasement plan A was a great success on Hitler as you can all see, we didn’t need any Plan B, appeasement then fight them on the beaches was the original plan’.”
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LOCKDOWN FEARS
Brits could face lockdowns until next spring – as a local council hires £30,000-a-year Covid marshals to work until March 2022.
It’s emerged that Croydon Council are looking to hire more of the marshals – with their fixed-term contracts not coming to an end for nine more months.
And while there may be another explanation for the hires, concerns are rising it’s a sign of things to come.
Political website Guido Fawkes reports: “Marshals will be paid over £30,000 to enforce restrictions that supposedly would have been lifted over eight months earlier.
“According to the job-listing which was posted seven days ago, Covid marshals will advise people and businesses on how to follow Covid-19 regulations and “stay safe”.
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NEXT GREEN LIST REVIEW DUE AT THE END OF THE MONTH
The next review of the UK’s travel list of countries is due at the end of this month, according to Downing Street.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters: “There is a three-week review point, so the next check point is coming up at the end of this month.”
The spokesman added that he believed this would be no later than June 28.
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80% OF THE UK POPULATION HAS BEEN GIVEN AT LEAST THEIR FIRST DOSE, LATEST FIGURES SHOW
Four in five adults in the UK are estimated to have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, latest figures show.
A total of 42,216,654 first doses have now been delivered since the vaccination rollout began more than six months ago.
This is the equivalent of 80.1% of all people aged 18 and over.
Wales: 88.2% (2,225,499 first doses)
Scotland: 80.6% (3,571,726 first doses)
England: 79.9% (35,290,759 first doses)
Northern Ireland: 77.7% (1,128,670 first doses)
- [email protected]
ALL OVER 18s TO GET THEIR JABS FROM TODAY, SAYS HANCOCK
Everyone over the age of 18 in England will be able to book their Covid-19 vaccine from Friday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced yesterday.
Speaking at the NHS Confed conference, Mr Hancock said a first dose has been given to four out of five adults.
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