CONFIRMED cases of the Indian variant of Covid-19 have doubled in a week to reach almost 7,000.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Thursday night’s Downing Street press conference that up to three-quarters of new coronavirus cases were the Indian strain.
But he stressed that vaccines were helping to keep people out of hospital.
He said: “The latest estimates are that more than half and potentially as many as three-quarters of all new cases are now of this variant.
“As we set out our road map we always expected cases to rise, we must remain vigilant.”
The local areas most affected by the Indian variant of coronavirus continue to be Bolton, Bedford and Blackburn with Darwen.
Seven further areas in England have more than 100 confirmed cases of the variant: Leicester, Sefton, Nottingham, Wigan, Central Bedfordshire, Manchester and Hillingdon.
Despite the rise in cases, Spain has defended its decision to open up to British tourists despite France and Germany unveiling tougher rules.
“The UK [is] one of the countries with most influence in our tourism market which is a fundamental part of our economy,” said Carolina Darias, Spain’s Health Minister.
Read our coronavirus live blog below for the latest news and updates…
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ANTIBODIES BUILDING IN BRITS
Vaccines are severing the link between cases and hospitalisations, and deaths from coronavirus, says Matt Hancock.
He says: “This week’s data shows that three in four adults now have Covid antibodies, including over 90 per cent of people aged 50 and above.”
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ROADMAP ‘HANGS IN THE BALANCE’
Professor Neil Ferguson told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the June 21 road map date for England hangs in the balance.
He said experts were still concerned about issues including the transmissibility of the Indian variant and “Step 4 (of the road map) is rather in the balance, the data collected in the next two to three weeks will be critical”.
He added: “The key issue as to whether we can go forward is: will the surge caused by the Indian variant – and we do think there will be a surge – be more than has been already planned in to the relaxation measures?
“So it was always expected that relaxation would lead to a surge in infections and to some extent a small third wave of transmission – that’s inevitable if you allow contact rates in population to go up, even despite immunity – (but) we can’t cope with that being too large.
“In the next two or three weeks we will be able to come to a firm assessment of whether it’s possible to go forward.”
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DOMINIC ‘WRONG’ ABOUT BRITS BEING UNABLE TO COPE
Professor Stephen Reicher, a member of the Sage sub-committee advising on behavioural science, said Dominic Cummings was “wrong” to suggest that scientists said people would not be able to cope with lockdown.
He told BBC Breakfast that Mr Cummings had “confirmed from the inside things we knew from the outside – that we were too late in locking down, that we didn’t develop a test and trace system quickly enough, that we didn’t control our borders… many of these mistakes that are still going on”.
But he said a “number of the claims that were made were simply inaccurate.
“What Dominic Cummings suggested was that the behavioural scientists were saying that people just wouldn’t wear the restrictions, and that either they shouldn’t be imposed at all, or else that they should be delayed. Now that’s simply untrue…”
“I think there’s plenty of public evidence to make the point that, on that specific claim, Dominic Cummings is just quite simply wrong.”
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TEST AND TRACE FIGURES
A total of 14,051 people tested positive for Covid-19 in England at least once in the week to May 19, according to the latest Test and Trace figures.
This is broadly unchanged (down 0.2 per cent) on the previous week, but up five per cent in the week to May 5.
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WHOLE CABINET NOW HAD COVID JAB
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said the entire Cabinet has now received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine after Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick received his jab on Thursday morning.
Mr Zahawi tweeted: “The youngest member of the Cabinet has now had his first vaccine. We have now vaccinated the whole of the Cabinet! Well done team.”
Mr Jenrick, 39, revealed on Twitter that he had received a dose of Pfizer, adding: “Thank you #NHS for an amazing service.”
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ROADMAP UNAFFECTED BY INDIAN COVID VARIANT: PM
Boris Johnson said “I don’t see anything currently in the data” to divert from the June 21 target for the next stage of exiting lockdown but “we may need to wait” for more data.
The PM told reporters: “As I have said many times I don’t see anything currently in the data to suggest that we have to deviate from the road map.
“But we may need to wait.
“Don’t forget the important point about the intervals between the steps of the road map, we put that five weeks between those steps to give us time to see what effect the unlockings are having.”
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MYSTERY OVER START OF COVID
Scientists are revisiting a mystery of Covid-19: Where, when and how did the virus that causes the disease originate?
The two prevailing competing theories are that the virus jumped from animals, possibly originating with bats, to humans, or that it escaped from a virology laboratory in Wuhan, China.
To some scientists, the release of a dangerous pathogen via a careless lab worker is a plausible hypothesis for how the pandemic started and warrants investigation.
The Wuhan lab, China’s leading SARS research facility, is not far from the Huanan Seafood Market, which early in the health crisis was cited as the most likely place where animal-to-human transmission of the virus may have taken place.
The market was also the site of the first known Covid superspreader event.
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RECORD COVID CASES IN ARGENTINA
Argentina posted a record one-day number of new Covid cases – soaring to 41,080 infections on Thursday.
The country has recorded 76,135 deaths, according to official data, making it one of the countries with the most deaths per capita along with neighbours Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil.
Argentina began a strict lockdown for nine days on Saturday to get the virus under control.
But the rollout of its vaccination program has been slower than promised by the centre-left government of President Alberto Fernandez.
Current lockdown measures include a suspension of in-person school classes, a nightly curfew and take-out-only restaurant service.
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INDIAN VARIANT CASES DOUBLE IN A WEEK BUT HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS REMAIN FLAT
Confirmed cases of the Indian variant of Covid-19 have doubled in a week to reach almost 7,000, although hospital admissions remain flat, data shows.
Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said public health experts “are actively going out and finding cases so we do expect cases to rise”, plus cases were expected to go up through increased socialising.
She told Thursday’s press briefing that when looking at patterns of cases, such as in London, “we’ve seen a bit of community transmission and then it’s closed down again”.
She said it was “on the cusp at the moment” over whether rising cases reflected the variant taking off or whether there was a rise because more cases are being hunted for and detected.
“On the good news, of course, we are not seeing that generally translating into increased cases of hospitalisation and definitely not into deaths. So the key message there is… if we can hold it while the vaccination programme gets rolled out, we stand a much better chance of getting through this session.”
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DRAG QUEENS WALK THE CARPET AT DEATH DROP’S WEST END REOPENING
Stage stars and comedians turned out for the reopening gala performance of Death Drop at the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End.
The show, subtitled The Dragatha Christie Murder Mystery, initially opened following the national lockdown in November 2020 but was promptly shut due to changing coronavirus restrictions.
Drag artists Kemah Bob, Cheddar Gorgeous and Cheryl Hole were among those who posed for pictures outside the venue.
Death Drop, a socially distanced murder mystery featuring a full drag cast, is described as a “rampant, raucous, ridiculous romp of a murder mystery”.
The story follows 1980s pop star Shazza, whose fame has faded over the years, and Summer Raines, a glamorous American weathergirl living in London. The capacity at the Garrick Theatre has been reduced to comply with Covid-19 guidelines, with other measures including contactless tickets, temperature testing and the deep clean and sanitation of the theatre.
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DOMINIC CUMMINGS’ TESTIMONY ‘VENGEFUL’
Dominic Cummings’ explosive testimony on Wednesday was “threaded with vengeance”, writes i news editor Oliver Duff.
He adds: “The shockwaves will travel through British politics for months to come.
“Health Secretary Matt Hancock should keep running. If what Mr Cummings said about him is true, his position is untenable and he ought to resign.”
But, Duff, reckons, the PM is likely to keep Hancock “as a human shield for now”.
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NO HELP FOR HEROES AS FREE NHS PARKING DISAPPEARS
Ministers are set to scrap a free emergency parking pass given to NHS heroes during the pandemic.
The permit, which entitled NHS, health and social care workders, and NHS volunteers, to free parking while on duty, will be worthless from next month.
Updated government guidance said the decision was taken as part of the roadmap out of lockdown.
It means that the key workers who use the scheme will have to pay for parking or face being fined after June 21.
The new guidance says: “Local councils are responsible for setting their own local policy on parking. Therefore, current or potential pass holders are advised to contact their local council to find out about any local plans for the future of the parking pass, or to check whether they are eligible for other local parking permits.”
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US-AWAY – JUNE 7 FOR RETURN OF TRANSATLANTIC TRAVEL
Airlines are preparing for the restart of transatlantic travel from June 7, it is believed.
A bilateral agreement will come into force on the day of the next update on the UK’s traffic light system, airline sources say.
Brits will be able to enter the US with just a negative PCR taken up to 72 hours before they fly, they add.
They would need a negative pre-departure test to return home and take a PCR test within two days of arrival.
Brits have not been able to fly to the US since March last year.
Virgin Atlantic said: “There is no reason for the US to be absent from the green list. We urge the UK Government to expedite talks with the Biden administration.”
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PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND COVID UPDATE
Covid-19 case rates in most regions of England have risen slightly, according to the latest weekly surveillance report from Public Health England.
North-west England saw the largest rise, with 52.8 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to May 23, up week-on-week from 39.0.
The East Midlands is the only region to have seen a slight fall in rates, down from 21.7 to 21.0.
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FRANCE WORRIED ABOUT BRITS SPREADING INDIAN COVID VARIANT
France has added the UK to is mandatory quarantine list.
Anyone travelling to the country from Britain or Northern Ireland will have to self-isolate, due to concerns over a rise in cases of the Indian variant.
French foreign affairs minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told RTL radio over the weekend: “We worry about the Indian variant and we remain on high alert regarding that matter, in co-operation with British authorities.”
“We hope that the variant can be controlled in a country which experienced real failures during the pandemic.
“However, the arrival of the Indian variant and the increase of cases of Indian variant in the United Kingdom pose a problem and so we are vigilant about this [and] in contact with the British authorities.”
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BALEARIC ISLANDS GREEN LIGHT HOLIDAY HOPES
The Balearic Islands and Canary Islands are hoping to make the UK’s green list in the next ‘traffic light’ system review at the start of next month, even if mainland Spain remains on amber.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has confirmed islands would be looked at separately when travel rules are updated on June 7.
Iago Negueruela, the Balearic Islands’ tourism minister, has spent several weeks campaigning for the region to be treated separately from the Spanish mainland so British tourists can book holidays without having to quarantine on their return.
The islands’ 14-day cumulative coronavirus rate is currently 37,67 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, lower than Portugal’s.
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MORE ON SPAIN TO STAY OPEN FOR BRITS
The number of UK holidaymakers jetting to Spain has been low so far because of its amber status which means sun seekers have to quarantine when they return.
Yet Germany has said it was barring Brits from entering as public health chiefs designated the UK as a virus variant area of concern.
Austria has also announced a ban on direct flights from the UK, and only Austrian citizens and residents will be allowed into the country from the United Kingdom from June 1.
France subsequently followed suit by saying Brits heading to the country would have to quarantine for seven days and provide a negative coronavirus test to prevent the spread of the Indian variant.
Portugal, the first major European holiday destination to be put on the UK’s green travel list, is demanding British tourists show proof of a negative Covid test.
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GOING SOL-O – SPAIN TO STAY OPEN FOR BRITS
Spain has defended its decision to open up to British tourists despite France and Germany unveiling tougher rules.
Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez allowed UK holidaymakers to return for the first time this year on Monday with no Covid test or vaccine requirements.
Spain’s Health Minister, defended the decision to put the UK on the country’s safe list and exempt people from Britain from providing proof of jabs or negative Covid tests.
On June 7 Spain will allow tourists from around the world to enter the country, providing they can prove they have had all their Covid vaccinations.
Speaking after a meeting with regional health chiefs, Mrs Darias said: “We will keep tabs on the situation, but the conditions to open up to tourism are there. That’s especially true for British tourism, with the UK being one of the countries with most influence in our tourism market which is a fundamental part of our economy.”
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WISE ADVICE FROM DR JENNY HARRIES
Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive, UK Health Security Agency said as cases of the Indian variant rise in some areas, people should continue to be cautious and follow the guidance.
She added: “We now know that getting both vaccine doses gives a high degree of protection against this variant and we urge everyone to have the vaccine when the NHS invites you.
“Please follow the public health advice and make sure that you remain careful, work from home if you can, meet people outside where possible and remember ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’ at all times.
“This is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from this variant.”
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NEW THAI COVID STRAIN THREAT LOOMS… MORE
Lab tests are currently being carried out to further understand how the Thai Covid strain behaves.
PHE did not disclose where the cases had been detected but said test and trace has been used to limit its spread.
It comes as the latest PHE figures show there are now 6,959 cases of the Indian variant – up from 3,424 last week.
While it shows cases have doubled in a week, it means the rate of spread has slowed slightly.
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NEW THAI COVID STRAIN THREAT LOOMS
A new Covid variant is under investigation in the UK – as cases of the Indian strain doubled in a week, it has emerged.
Data from Public Health England (PHE) has revealed that there is a new variant under investigation known as C.36.3.
It was first detected in Thailand in cases of people who had originally travelled from Egypt.
So far, PHE has detected 109 cases of the new Thai strain in the UK, but officials stressed there is no evidence that the new strain causes more severe disease.
And they stressed there is currently no evidence to suggest the three vaccines being rolled out across the country won’t work against the new Thai strain.
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INDIAN COVID STRAIN SPREADING FAST
Matt Hancock today warned the Indian variant is now responsible for three quarters of all new Covid cases in the UK.
The Health Secretary said the dominant strain is still spreading fast as a further 3,542 new infections were recorded in the last 24-hour period.
Daily Covid cases have surged past 3,000 for the second day in a row and infections today hit the highest they’ve been in six weeks.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference tonight, Hancock warned: “This isn’t over yet.”
He said the Indian variant was responsible for three-quarters of all new cases across Britain – and urged eligible people to go and get their vaccine.
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BBC PRESENTER DIED FROM BLOOD CLOT AFTER JAB…MORE
‘Brilliant’ BBC presenter Lisa Shaw died after suffering a blood clot following the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine, her family said today.
Experts have stressed that cases of blood clots linked to the vaccine are extremely rare.
Since Lisa’s death was announced on air on Sunday, tributes from colleagues and listeners have poured in.
The mum joined the station BBC Radio Newcastle in 2016, after working in commercial radio in the North East – with stints at Metro Radio and Heart.
BBC Radio Newcastle’s acting executive editor Rik Martin said: “She was a trusted colleague, a brilliant presenter, a wonderful friend, and a loving wife and mum. She loved being on the radio and was loved by our audiences.”
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MATT HANCOCK DENIES LYING TO PRIME MINISTER AS CUMMINGS ROW FALLOUT CONTINUES
Matt Hancock condemned “unsubstantiated” attacks from Dominic Cummings as he fought to save his career over claims he lied to the Prime Minister about coronavirus plans.
The Health Secretary faced a day of questions from MPs and the media over whether he falsely told Boris Johnson that patients would be tested before they were discharged from hospitals to care homes at the start of the pandemic.
In the Commons, Mr Hancock said the allegations levelled against him by Mr Cummings were “not true” and he later told a Downing Street press conference that the commitment he had given was to build the capacity to be able to test patients before discharge.
“I committed to getting the policy in place, but it took time to build the testing,” he said.
“We didn’t start with a big testing system in the UK and then we built that testing system.”
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BBC PRESENTER DIED FROM BLOOD CLOT AFTER JAB
A ‘brilliant’ BBC presenter died after suffering a blood clot following the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine, her family said today.
Lisa Shaw’s devastated relatives told of their heartbreak, saying “there is a Lisa-shaped hole in our lives that will never be filled”.
The 44-year-old mum-of-one, who worked for BBC Newcastle, developed “severe” headaches a week after having the Covid jab and fell seriously ill a few days later, her family said in a statement.
Lisa’s family said: “She was treated by the Royal Victoria Infirmary’s intensive care team for blood clots and bleeding in her head.
“Tragically, she passed away, surrounded by her family, on Friday afternoon. It’s been a huge comfort to see how loved she was by everyone whose lives she touched, and we ask for privacy at this time to allow us to grieve as a family.”