CORONAVIRUS cases and deaths will plunge when Brits start receiving their second vaccine doses, new research suggests.
The already falling rates are expected to begin tumbling even faster after the first large-scale peer-reviewed study of the real-world effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine found a second dose dramatically boosted protection.
The study by Israel's Clalit Research Institute was carried out in collaboration with researchers from Harvard University and published in the highly-respected New England Journal of Medicine earlier this week.
It found two Pfizer doses reduced symptomatic covid by a whopping 94% and severe illness by 92%, while one dose reduced symptomatic covid by 57% and severe disease by 62% three weeks after the jab was given.
The news comes as Education Secretary Gavin Williamson stressed that schools could have a few days to get all their children back in as they would need to organise dishing out the coronavirus tests.
Secondary school kids are to be tested twice a week under fresh plans to get children back in the classroom from March 8 – with the first two done in schools.
Meanwhile, normal summer exams have been ditched and teachers will instead decide what results students get, with the help of voluntary "mini" subject tests.
Follow our coronavirus live blog below for the very latest news and updates on the pandemic…
- John Hall
PFIZER TWO DOSE BOOST
MORE than 90 per cent of people who have had two doses of the Pfizer vaccine have high levels of Covid antibodies, a major study has found.
New data from Imperial College London also showed that those who have previously had Covid had a strong immune response after a single dose.
Their findings, published today, show that 87.9 per cent of people over the age of 80 tested positive for antibodies after two Pfizer vaccine doses.
- John Hall
MASKS AND TESTS NOT COMPULSORY
FACE masks and Covid tests will not be compulsory in secondary schools when kids return on March 8.
The Government has said both measures are "voluntary" and that teachers should not send pupils home for refusing.
Boris Johnson announced this week that secondary school kids are to be tested twice a week under fresh plans to get children back in the classroom in England next month.
- Joseph Gamp
RUSSIA REPORTS 11,198 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AND 446 DEATHS
Russia has reported 11,198 new COVID-19 cases this morning.
The new count includes 1,406 cases in the capital Moscow – pushing the national case tally to 4,212,100 since the pandemic began.
The coronavirus taskforce said that 446 people had died in the last 24 hours, taking the official death toll to 84,876.
- John Hall
YEARWOOD TESTS POSITIVE
TRISHA Yearwood has tested positive for Covid-19.
The 56-year-old's husband Garth Brooks, 59, confirmed the news as he said "we'll ride this through together."
Both Garth and Trisha are now quarantining at their home in Tennessee after she tested positive for Covid-19.
- John Hall
HOW WILL STUDENTS IN ENGLAND RECEIVE EXAM GRADES THIS SUMMER?
Teachers will be able to draw on a range of evidence when determining grades, including mock exams, coursework or other work completed as part of a pupil's course, such as essays or in-class tests.
Exam boards will provide teachers with optional assessment questions for students to answer to also help schools decide which grades to award.
But it is understood that teachers will have the flexibility to choose how long students have to complete the task, and where it will be carried out.
- John Hall
GO SLOW BO
Gavin Williamson insisted tonight that lockdown easing WON'T be sped up despite demands from Tory MPs.
The Education Secretary revealed at tonight's press conference that 18.2million have now got the vaccine across the UK as the rollout continues to go from strength to strength.
And he backed comments from Boris Johnson, Matt Hancock and Downing Street that this was the right approach.
Even Professor Neil Ferguson had suggested that the lockdown lifting schedule may be sped up.
Jacob Rees-Mogg had admitted that there may be some "flexibility" in the timetable.
- Joseph Gamp
FINLAND TO GO INTO THREE WEEK NATIONAL LOCKDOWN
Finland will go into a three-week lockdown on March 8 as the country faces a rising number of coronavirus cases.
Prime Minister Sanna Marin said the lockdown will not include a curfew.
But the shutdown will involve the closing of restaurants and school students that are 13 or older will move to remote learning.
- John Hall
CZECH GOVERNMENT TO WEIGH TIGHTER COVID MEASURES ON THURSDAY
The Czech government will debate possible tighter coronavirus measures at a Thursday evening meeting, a government spokesman said after ministers did not reach a decision on new restrictions at an extraordinary sitting on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Andrej Babis said earlier on Wednesday that tighter measures were needed to prevent a "catastrophe" in hospitals in the coming weeks as the country battles one of the world's highest COVID-19 infection and death rates.
With non-essential shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and most schools already closed, ministers are debating further curbs on people's movement to combat the spread of the virus.
- John Hall
WHEN CAN I GO ON HOLIDAYS TO WALES?
The Welsh government is yet to give an official restart date for holidays, unlike Boris Johnson.
Mark Drakeford said Wales' potential reopening of the tourism industry around Easter would include bed & breakfasts and hotels with room service as long as the accommodation is self-contained.
This is yet to be officially confirmed.
- John Hall
ISOLATION FEAR
Quarantine periods could be extended after studies showed the Kent Covid strain was infectious for longer, the deputy chief medical officer suggested last night.
Jenny Harries said ministers were looking closely at fresh studies which revealed some people were infectious for up to 13 days – compared to eight for the old variant.
At the moment people have to stay inside for 10 days when they come into the UK from a series of 'red list' countries, but there are fears this may no longer be enough to stop the disease from spreading.
Ms Harries said the Government were looking closely at the issue and whether quarantine may need to be changed.
- John Hall
WEEKLY WELLBEING MEETINGS TO HELP EX-FOOTBALLERS WHO ARE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA
Former players living with dementia will have the opportunity to reminisce about their careers with fellow ex-professionals as part of a new initiative supported by the Professional Footballers' Association Charity.
The players' union is working with the Sporting Memories Foundation to set up weekly clubs, designed to boost the ex-pros' physical and mental health through the power of gentle exercise and sharing memories.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic it is understood the sessions will be virtual for the time being.
Susie Brindley, the chief operating officer of SMF, said: "We hear time and again from those who attend Sporting Memories Clubs that it becomes the highlight of their week, an anchor, and a time when they meet others in a relaxed environment where what they say is valued and given time.
"Likewise, family members and carers of those who attend Sporting Memories Club feel benefits, in terms of the increased wellbeing of their loved one or simply time for themselves."
- John Hall
NEARLY 800,000 HOME-OWNERS 'VULNERABLE TO REPOSSESSION'
Nearly 800,000 households across the UK could be at risk of losing their home if they suffer a loss of income, according to analysis by a think-tank.
The Social Market Foundation said that of the 770,000 it calculates may be at risk of repossession, a quarter (26%) work in retail or manufacturing, sectors badly hit by the pandemic.
SMF research funded by the Building Societies Association (BSA) suggests more than one in 10 owner-occupiers do not have enough savings to cover a single month's mortgage payment.
A ban on home repossessions has been put in place as part of coronavirus support measures and borrowers have also been able to take mortgage payment holidays.
- John Hall
CONTINUED
The video was accompanied by the caption: “Meanwhile in Forest Gate….”
Hairdressers and barbers are currently shut, but Boris Johnson announced earlier this week that they definitely won’t open before April 12.
Most people said they had no issue with the street haircut.
One viewer joked: “Anyone know how much he’s charging?”
Another said: “Not sure I see a problem here. Outdoors so very small risk. Barber should wear a mask and gloves though.”
One Tweeter said: “Hope he doesn’t ask for a back, sack and crack.”
For the video click here.
- John Hall
FRESH AIRCUT
A barber was seen giving a customer a short back and sides haircut in the street in an apparent bid to get around Covid rules.
The video shows the unusual scene in Forest Gate, east London, as a punter gets the shave in full public view.
And many of those who saw it said it should be allowed as it was taking place in the fresh air.
The video was posted to Twitter and shows someone walking past a man sitting on a chair on the pavement as a hairdresser gives him a shave.
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