Covid news - live: Hunt for missing patient narrowed to 379 households and third vaccine dose may be needed
Follow the latest updates and statistics
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The search for a mystery missing patient with the more virulent Brazilian variant of Covid-19 has been narrowed down to 379 households in the South East, Matt Hancock has said.
The health secretary said just 0.1 per cent of people who take tests fail to fill in a registration card, after Downing Street was unable to confirm the extent of the problem.
Officials have been hunting for the individual, who is one of six people in the UK infected with the “variant of concern” from Brazil, but the only one who provided no information about themselves.
Mr Hancock told the House of Commons a third vaccine dose may be needed over the autumn to protect against new variants of the disease.
He said: “We know for sure that we seek to vaccinate with two doses every adult in the UK – there may well be a need for a third vaccination over the autumn against variants and there is currently a clinical trial considering the vaccination of under-18s.”
New funding support will help cultural sector beyond survival, says minister
Rishi Sunak is expected to use the Budget to provide a further £408m to help the cultural sector reopen once coronavirus restrictions begin to lift - which culture minister Caroline Dineage has described as “generous” funding that “isn’t just about survival” but about planning for the future.
Speaking in the Commons, she said: “The Government will move cautiously to keep infection rates under control, however, I know that for so many in the arts and entertainment sector this represents further months of financial uncertainty.
“The Prime Minister provided assurance in his announcement last week that for the duration of the pandemic, the Government will continue to do whatever it takes to protect jobs and livelihoods across the UK.”
She said her department has been working “very closely” with the Treasury and told MPs: “In the Budget tomorrow, the Chancellor will set out the next phase of our economic support package and this will reflect the steps set out in the Prime Minister’s approach to easing the restrictions through the road map.
“We now know there will be good news for our sectors tomorrow in terms of a generous package of funding that isn’t just about survival but about planning, preparing and paving the way to the reopening of our sectors.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments