Covid news - live: New UK Covid variant under investigation as surge testing rolled out in two more areas
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Your support makes all the difference.Scientists have identified 16 cases of a new coronavirus variant in the UK, which is now under investigation, Public Health England (PHE) has said.
The new variant, referred to as VUI-2021 02/04, was first identified on 15 February through genomic horizon scanning. All individuals who tested positive and their contact have been traced and advised to isolate, said PHE.
It comes as surge testing is to be rolled out in targeted areas in London and Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham. However, this additional testing is aimed at suppressing the spread of the South African variant of concern, not the new UK variant.
PHE said that as of Wednesday, a total of 29 cases of the South African variant have been detected in England where there were no travel links.
Russia says it could vaccinate 50 million people in EU
Russia says it expects several European Union countries to approve the use of its Sputnik V vaccine this month, and that Moscow could provide vaccines for 50 million Europeans from June if it wins EU-wide approval, writes Ella Glover:
Russia says it could vaccinate 50 million in EU from June
The EU’s medicines regulator has begun a rolling review as bloc seeks to speed up inoculations
Zoo great apes given experimental jab after catching virus
Four orangutans and five bonobos at a zoo in California have been given an experimental vaccine after becoming infected, National Geographic reports.
Zoo chiefs suspect the nine great apes caught the virus from a worker who had previously tested positive for the virus.
The animals’ symptoms ranged from runny noses and sporadic coughing to consistent coughing, reduced appetite, and lethargy.
They were given a vaccine developed for dogs and cats by Zoetis, a veterinary pharmaceutical company.
The apes had no adverse reactions and are doing well, say zoo officials.
Three leftover doses will soon go to bonobos and one of the zoo’s gorillas who did not get the virus.
Other US zoos have also requested doses of the vaccine for their great apes, Zoetis said.
The company is conducting trials of its vaccine in mink, with plans to apply for commercial authorisation once trials are complete, National Geographic says.
Boris Johnson appeals for vaccinated over-80s not to break Covid rules
Boris Johnson has appealed for over-80s to continue observing lockdown restrictions after receiving the Covid vaccine, as a new study found that more than 40 per cent had breached them.
Follow our breaking news story for more details:
Boris Johnson appeals for vaccinated over-80s not to break Covid rules
Boris Johnson has appealed for over-80s to continue observing lockdown restrictions after receiving the Covid vaccine, as anew study found that more than 40 per cent had breached them.
Industry and travellers baffled at lack of action on ‘Declaration to Travel'
Less than 90 hours before the home secretary’s latest measure to deter outbound travel from the UK takes effect, there is no sign of the promised “Declaration to Travel”.
A number of travel and transport firms contacted by The Independent say they have not been briefed on the new arrangements.
Our travel correspondent Simon Calder has more details:
Industry and travellers baffled at lack of action on ‘Declaration to Travel’
‘It’s lunchtime on Thursday and we’re supposed to be implementing a new government policy on Monday morning’ – senior travel industry figure
Care worker suspended ‘for putting vulnerable at risk of Covid-19'
A care worker put nearly two dozen vulnerable people at risk by carrying out home visits while she was suspected to have Covid-19, a tribunal has heard.
Samantha Gould, who previously worked for 1st Grade Care in Cardiff, attended a number of calls last June despite being told by her GP to self-isolate and arrange a coronavirus test after feeling unwell.
Ms Gould claimed she had been given "a verbal negative Covid test result" before making the visits and said she "kept her distance during calls and had an apron, gloves and mask".
Social Work Wales imposed an interim 18-month suspension last August over concerns Ms Gould had "showed a reckless disregard for the health and wellbeing of those in her care".
The care worker appealed against her suspension, but it was rejected.
Coronavirus case rates continue to fall across whole of England
Covid-19 case rates are continuing to fall in all regions of England, according to the latest weekly surveillance report from Public Health England.
In the East Midlands, the rate of new cases stood at 120.8 per 100,000 people in the seven days to February 28 - the highest rate of any region, but down from 170.5 the previous week.
Yorkshire & the Humber recorded the second highest rate at 113.6, down from 154.0.
South-west England recorded the lowest rate of 43.2, down from 68.5.
Case rates in England are continuing to fall among all age groups
Case rates in England are continuing to fall among all age groups, Public Health England said.
The highest rate is among 30 to 39-year-olds, at 121.1 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to February 28, down week-on-week from 178.3.
Among 20 to 29-year-olds the rate dropped from 161.3 to 111.3, and for 40 to 49-year-olds it fell from 148.0 to 102.0.
For people aged 80 and over, the rate fell from 101.8 to 65.0.
Airline warns pandemic will increase aviation security risks
Germany’s national airline has warned the coronavirus pandemic will increase aviation security risks.
Lufthansa said the pandemic will “have a negative effect on the overall security situation and state stability” in its annual report.
Our travel correspondent Simon Calder explains:
Lufthansa warns of pandemic’s ‘negative effect on security situation’
German national airline issues stark warnings about the future
Catholic priest joins legal action against Scottish government over church closures
A Catholic priest has joined legal action by other Christian leaders against the Scottish government over lockdown church closures.
Canon Tom White, of St Alphonsus RC Church in Glasgow, issued a pre-action letter to the government in February demanding it lifts lockdown restrictions forcing places of worship to close.
Separately, a group of other religious leaders launched legal proceedings in January to force the Scottish government to change tack.
Canon White has now joined the action by the other religious leaders, including representatives from the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), the Free Church of Scotland, and a number of independent churches.
They state the closures are unlawful as they breach human rights law and the Scottish constitution.
Germany approves AstraZeneca vaccine for over 65s
In a major U-turn, Germany has approved AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine, developed alongside the University of Oxford, for use in people over 65.
Jon Sharman has more details:
Germany approves AstraZeneca vaccine for over 65s
Chancellor says country stands ‘at threshold of new phase’ in pandemic
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