Covid: UK variant appears to linger in body longer, as Boris Johnson urged to lift lockdown slowly
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Your support makes all the difference.Research has found the UK variant of the coronavirus appears to linger far longer in the body than other versions of the virus, potentially calling into question the government’s current self-isolating protocol.
Scientists from American universities, including Harvard and Yale, have discovered it takes the immune system almost 30 per cent longer to clear infection caused by the variant first detected in Kent, which is now dominant in the British population.
Separate research from Public Health England and the University of Birmingham has also shown the UK variant generates higher viral loads in people.
These two factors may explain the variant’s higher infectivity and widespread prevalence across the UK.
Boris Johnson has stressed he will be taking a “cautious and prudent approach” to easing lockdown restrictions, suggesting pubs and restaurants will be among the last parts of society to reopen this time.
The prime minister is being urged to focus on “data, not just dates” and to not relax restrictions “prematurely”.
UK Covid variant appears to linger in body for longer than other versions of virus, research suggests
Research has found the UK variant of Covid-19 appears to linger far longer in the body compared to other versions of the virus.
Samuel Lovett explains:
UK Covid variant appears to linger in body for longer than other versions of virus, research suggests
Findings could explain heightened transmissibility of variant first detected in Kent, scientists say
Duchess of Cornwall ‘leapt for joy’ when receiving Covid jab
The Duchess of Cornwall said she "leapt for joy" when receiving her Covid-19 jab and told hospital patients waiting for the vaccine that "it doesn't hurt".
Camilla joined her husband the Prince of Wales on a visit to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham on Wednesday to learn about coronavirus vaccine trials.
The royal couple met clinical trial volunteers, as well as healthcare staff receiving their inoculations, in their first joint official public event for two months.
Clarence House confirmed last week that Charles, 72, and Camilla, 73, have had their first Covid-19 vaccinations, with the pair offering reassurance to patients during their hospital tour.
Northern Ireland’s vaccination programme extended
Northern Ireland’s Covid-19 vaccination programme has been extended to include carers and more people with underlying health conditions.
GP practices and seven regional centres will deliver the jabs, and Stormont health minister Robin Swann said the process was ahead of schedule.
Justice secretary suggests bosses may be able to require new staff have had jabs
Justice secretary Robert Buckland has suggested employers may be able to draw up contracts requiring new staff members to have coronavirus vaccines.
The cabinet minister said it is unlikely bosses could legally require staff to receive a jab under existing agreements, but suggested it could be tested in court.
Pimlico Plumbers and Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK's largest care home groups, are among those to have said they will not hire new staff who have refused jabs on non-medical grounds.
Downing Street has said it would be "discriminatory" to force someone to have a coronavirus vaccine in order to keep their job.
Report reveals scale of damage to labour market during coronavirus crisis
The Resolution Foundation said research suggests almost two million workers were unemployed or fully furloughed in January, and had been for at least six months, showing the scale of lasting damage to the UK's labour force that will need to be addressed in the budget.
The think tank’s study found the number of workers on the Job Retention Scheme (JRS) has risen to around 4.5 million during the current lockdown, half the nine million peak during the first lockdown, showing its impact on the labour market has been less severe as firms have adapted to operating through the pandemic.
Instead, the cumulative impact of the crisis is causing the biggest challenges in the labour market, said the report.
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