A Covid-19 booster vaccine is likely to be rolled out in the autumn to avoid another winter surge, a top government vaccination adviser has said.
Professor Anthony Harnden, acting chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, told the BMJ that the booster would be needed either to protect against a new variant or as a safety net as the duration of protection is unknown.
He said that the booster could be given to certain vulnerable groups or the entire population.
"We certainly don't want to see a winter like we've seen this winter," he said. "And if we've got new variants circulating and we've got dropping levels of immunity due to the vaccination, then that becomes an imperative to do a booster."
Mr Harnden suggested that the booster could be rolled out in August or September "rather than later in the year, because of this worry about a large third wave affecting the elderly".
He added: "I think we're likely to make a bold decision to recommend a booster dose, even if we haven't got all the evidence of the necessity, just because I think the consequences of not immunising with the booster doses are so big.
"If it's proved that it's needed months later it may be too late."
Follow the latest updates below.
05:27 PM
Today's top stories
Good evening. Here are some of the key developments around the world today:
A further 121 people have died in the UK within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19, while here had been a further 5,534 lab-confirmed cases
A total of 21,187,615 Covid-19 vaccinations took place in England between December 8 and March 12, according to provisional NHS England data, including first and second doses, which is a rise of 380,230 on the previous day
India will manufacture one billion doses of Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine for use in south-east Asia, as part of wider plans by the US and its allies to counter growing Chinese influence in the region
05:21 PM
Europe's third wave: Even the country with the highest vaccination rate cannot hold back the tide
It’s an unwelcome paradox for Hungary. Medics have dispensed over a million vaccinations, and the country now only trails Malta in the EU when it comes to vaccinations per capita, but all this has failed to prevent Hungary suffering from a crippling third Covid-19 wave, with Hungarians testing positive in record numbers.
Hungary’s health authorities reported on Friday a new daily high of 9,011 positive tests, while another 130 deaths brought the country’s Covid-19 toll to 16,627. On the same day the number of Covid patients in hospital rose by 389 to reach 8,718.
The country now has the third highest Covid-19 fatality rate in the world, and is fourth place globally in deaths per capita, according to information from the John Hopkins University.
All this despite Hungary using Russia’s Sputnik V and the Chinese Sinopharm vaccines to help drive the vaccination rate up to 13.2 doses per 100 people, far better than the EU average of 9.1.
A record gilt glut will hit markets next year to ramp up the cost of Britain’s post-pandemic debt mountain, new analysis has revealed.
The surge in government borrowing costs is set to be extended as the bond market braces for an “unprecedented” £214bn gilt glut in 2022, analysts at UBS warned. A combination of heavy public borrowing and the Bank of England slowing its quantitative easing will put investors’ appetite for UK government bonds under record strain in 2022.
“The market has calmed for now, but as net [gilt] issuance climbs, so too will yields,” warned John Wraith, a strategist at UBS.
The benchmark 10-year gilt yield started the year at 0.20pc, but has rocketed to 0.83pc, a rise that could cause headaches for Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
Italy reports 317 further deaths and 26,062 new cases
Italy reported 317 coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday against 380 the day before, the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections fell to 26,062 from 26,824 the day before.
Some 372,944 tests for Covid-19 were carried out in the past day, compared with a previous 369,636, the health ministry said.
Italy has registered 101,881 deaths linked to the virus since its outbreak emerged in February last year, the second-highest toll in Europe after Britain and the seventh-highest in the world. The country has reported 3.2 million cases to date.
04:57 PM
Emily Maitlis says lockdown was probably 'quite a lovely experience' for the middle classes
Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis has said the lockdown was probably “quite a lovely experience” for the middle classes.
The journalist was discussing the disproportionate way that Covid-19 has affected communities in the UK.
Speaking at Women of the World Festival 2021, she told Vanessa Kingori, publishing director of British Vogue, that Boris Johnson’s narrative that we’re all in it together at the beginning of the outbreak was “a slightly naive one”.
On March 22 2020, the PM had said: “We will get through this together, and we will beat the virus.
“To win this fight, we need everyone to follow our advice: as far as possible, we want you to stay at home. The more effectively everyone does this, the faster this country will recover.”
But Maitlis criticised the message, arguing that it had been harder for certain groups of people, including frontline workers, people with lower incomes and members of the BAME community.
Outrage in Jordan as oxygen shortage leads to Covid hospital deaths
At least seven Covid-19 patients died today when a Jordanian hospital ran out of oxygen, triggering an outcry in the kingdom and forcing the health minister to resign.
Jordan's King Abdullah II ordered the head of the state hospital in the town of Salt northwest of Amman to resign, state media reported, as hundreds of angry people gathered outside the hospital.
"Between 6:00 and 7:00 this morning, oxygen ran out for nearly an hour at the hospital and this probably led to the deaths of six patients," health minister Nazir Obeidat said.
The official Al-Mamlaka television channel later reported that a seventh patient had also died.
Obeidat, who travelled to the Al-Hussein New Salt Hospital after news of the tragedy broke, told reporters he was assuming "full moral responsibility" for what happened.
"I have submitted my resignation to the prime minister," he added.
04:34 PM
Feeling lonely in lockdown? Try hugging a sheep
A German farm is offering people who are feeling deprived of human contact due to coronavirus restrictions an unusual alternative: the opportunity to cuddle a sheep.
"We have marvellous sheep here who like it very much if they get visitors," said Lexa Voss, who runs an educational programme on a farm near Hattingen in western Germany to encourage people to get closer to animals.
"I allow people to visit the sheep unattended, and have a wonderful time with them in nature and far away from any masks and social distancing."
Visitors have to book an appointment, but can get as close as they like to the shaggy sheep. The sessions are free of charge although visitors are asked for donations for the farm.
"At the moment we avoid being close to each other. We are always at a distance." she said. "To be honest, I always walk by sheep pastures and they run away. And here it is very different. It's great." - APEX
04:23 PM
UK: 121 additional deaths and 5,534 further cases
The Government said a further 121 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Saturday, bringing the UK total to 125,464.
According to the Government dashboard, a delay in receiving information on deaths in England from one of its data sources "might have a small impact on the total number of deaths reported" on Saturday. The delay will be reflected in the numbers published on Sunday.
Separate figures published by the UK's statistics agencies for deaths where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate, together with additional data on deaths that have occurred in recent days, show there have now been 147,000 deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK.
The Government also said that, as of 9am on Saturday, there had been a further 5,534 lab-confirmed cases in the UK.
03:55 PM
Coronavirus around the world, in pictures
Revelers flock to the beach to celebrate spring break in Miami despite the ongoing pandemic - Reuters Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva eyes the syringe that will deliver his shot of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine at a drive-thru site in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Sao Paulo state - AP Crowds flock to the Viaduct Basin and Americas Cup Village during the America's Cup Race #5 and #6 between Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team on Auckland Harbour - Getty Images Asia/Phil Walter Performers take part in a pop up Broadway performance in anticipation of Broadway reopening in Times Square - Reuters
03:40 PM
'Quad' alliance to distribute one billion doses of vaccine to counter Chinese influence
India will manufacture one billion doses of Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine for use in south-east Asia, as part of wider plans by the US and its allies to counter growing Chinese influence in the region.
The project was confirmed at the first leader-level meeting of the Quad group of countries - the United States, Japan, Australia and India - on Friday. Financing will be provided by the US and Japan, while Australia will use its logistics capability to transport the vaccines.
While further details about the distribution of the single-dose vaccine are yet to be made public, the scheme aims to reduce manufacturing bottlenecks and accelerate vaccination distribution after many nations in the region only began their Covid-19 immunisation programmes in early March.
“What we’ve tried to put together is a broad-based approach that addresses the acute shortage of vaccines across Southeast Asia,” a senior US official said.
Several nations in south-east Asia have now also reported cases of the deadlier and more contagious UK variant of the virus, including Thailand and Indonesia, giving added urgency to the vaccination programme to ensure the strain does not take hold in the region's densely-populated megacities.
NHS England data shows a total of 2,600,603 jabs were given to people in London between December 8 and March 12, including 2,457,466 first doses and 143,137 second doses.
This compares with 3,939,000 first doses and 182,890 second doses given to people in the Midlands, a total of 4,121,890.
The breakdown for the other regions is:
East of England - 2,361,846 first doses and 121,022 second doses, making 2,482,868 in total
North East and Yorkshire - 3,095,706 first and 182,606 second doses (3,278,312)
North West - 2,630,192 first and 130,547 second doses (2,760,739)
South East - 3,243,675 first and 186,467 second doses (3,430,142)
03:15 PM
21,187,615 vaccinations have now taken place in England
A total of 21,187,615 Covid-19 vaccinations took place in England between December 8 and March 12, according to provisional NHS England data, including first and second doses, which is a rise of 380,230 on the previous day.
Of this number, 20,111,189 were the first dose of a vaccine, a rise of 312,716 on the previous day, while 1,076,426 were a second dose, an increase of 67,514.
Is the UK on track to hit vaccination targets?
03:05 PM
Merseyside Police thank organisers for postponing vigil
Merseyside Police thanked organisers for postponing a vigil due to be held in Liverpool city centre on Saturday evening.
In a tweet, the force said: "We would like to thank the organisers of the Reclaim These Streets vigil for postponing their event until a time when it is safe and legal to do so without fear of attributing to potential spread of the coronavirus."
Dutch coronavirus cases rise by more than 6,000 in 24 hours
New coronavirus cases in the Netherlands reached their highest level since mid-January, with more than 6,396 cases in 24 hours, data released today showed.
The figures published by the National Institute for Health (RIVM) follow several weeks of stability. The RIVM has said it expects a third wave of infections driven by variant strains of the coronavirus.
02:29 PM
The advice on drinking alcohol and taking ibuprofen after having a Covid vaccine
The rollout of the coronavirus vaccine is well and truly underway, with jabs set to be extended to people over-60 this week.
As of Mar 11, 23,053,716 people had received the first dose of the vaccine, with 1,351,515 second doses having been administered by the same date, taking the total to 24,405,231. Over four in five of those in the over 80s group have now been vaccinated.
But can you drink before the vaccine, how quickly are you immune and are there any side effects? Luke Mintz and Alice Hall have broken it down here.
02:19 PM
Hospital deaths in England up by 118
A further 118 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths reported in hospitals to 85,185, NHS England confirmed today.
Patients were aged between 37 and 99 and all except eight, aged between 55 and 96, had known underlying health conditions.
The deaths were between December 17 and March 12, with the majority being on or after March 6.
There were 35 other deaths reported with no positive Covid-19 test result.
The UK ranks highly on total deaths - but lower on excess deaths
01:40 PM
Dating is back on the menu – but from face masks to sex, what are the new rules?
From March 8, pandemic restrictions in England loosened to allow outdoor socialising with "one other person, or with your household or support bubble" as part of the Government's road map out of lockdown.
Among other things, this is a small victory for those who've been longing to return to in-person dating.
The Government advises that outdoor meet-ups can include a "drink or picnic", but you must continue to maintain a social distance from those outside your household. This presents more than a few tricky obstacles for those on the hunt for love, who are now faced with yet another month of walking in parks where privacy is hard to find.
"Let's ogle each other by the bar" dates are off the cards for the foreseeable future too. Restaurants and bars will remain shuttered until April 12, when the hospitality industry can re-open outdoor areas and pub gardens to the public.
Tunisia starts Covid vaccinations one month behind plan
Tunisia launched its coronavirus vaccination campaign today, a month later than planned, with health professionals first in line.
Around 300 nurses, doctors and other health personnel who are heavily exposed to the virus received shots during the morning at the El Menzah vaccination centre in the capital Tunis.
The country received 30,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine on March 9.
This initial delivery is being used to vaccinate 15,000 health professionals, said Abdelmoumen Samir, a doctor who is part of the country's coronavirus taskforce.
"With the vaccination launch, we are taking a very important step in the fight against this pandemic," he said.
"We will give a message of hope to Tunisians and encourage them to get vaccinated."
01:21 PM
DRC postpones AstraZeneca vaccine rollout
The DR Congo will postpone its vaccination campaign using the AstraZeneca jab, following other countries taking similar precautionary measures, the government said today.
The Democratic Republic of Congo had received 1.7 million doses of the vaccine against Covid-19 made by Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca and was due to start its campaign on March 15.
Denmark, Norway, Bulgaria and Iceland have paused using the shot as a precaution over blood clot fears and an Indian official on Saturday said the country would carry out a deeper review of its post-vaccination side effects.
The World Health Organization has said that no causal link has been established between the AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clotting.
The company says the jab is safe and that "no evidence" exists of higher risk of blood clots.
01:05 PM
Two thirds of the most serious Covid cases caught virus in hospital at start of second wave, major study finds
Almost two thirds of people who died or became severely ill from Covid in December may have caught the disease in hospital, a major study has found.
Researchers from Public Health Scotland's Covid-19 Health Protection Study Group, looked at all Scottish coronavirus cases reported outside of care homes between March 2020 and January 28, 2021.
Over the entire study period, 30 per cent of coronavirus cases in which patients died, or spent time in critical care, were linked to a recent hospital visit, the study showed.
In the first wave it peaked at 46 per cent in May, however by December, it had risen to 64 per cent of cases.
Half of all freelancers planning to quit self-employment
A year on from the first lockdown, half of all freelancers plan to quit self-employment for good, Telegraph Money can reveal. And the introduction of new tax policies next month will be the final nail in the coffin of many people’s dream of being their own boss, a trade body has warned.
A quarter of those planning to quit will seek work abroad, and a sixth intend to return to the security of full-time employment, according to research from the freelance trade body IPSE.
It found more than one in 10 had plans to stop working altogether, while 11pc said they would retire within the year, or were considering all options.
Hundreds of thousands have already given up since the pandemic started. The number of self-employed workers has dropped to fewer than 4.3 million from more than five million a year ago, reversing a decade-long upward trend.
China streamlines visas for own vaccine recipients in Hong Kong
China's foreign ministry office in Hong Kong said that it will simplify mainland China visa applications for foreigners in the city who have been inoculated with Chinese-made Covid-19 vaccines.
The simplified process, effective from Monday, resumes pre-pandemic application requirements, and will be available only to applicants and their family members inoculated with Chinese-produced vaccines who have obtained a vaccination certificate, the office of China's foreign commissioner in Hong Kong said in a statement dated Friday.
It said it made the move "in view of resuming people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries in an orderly manner." It did not say why the simplified procedures were not extended to those receiving other Covid-19 vaccines.
Foreign travellers who have been vaccinated with non-Chinese vaccines will continue to be required to present negative nucleic acid tests and a health and travel declaration form, the statement said.
China has been engaged in vaccine diplomacy to boost its standing in Asia and around the world, including offering Chinese-made vaccine doses to participants at this year's Tokyo Olympics and the Beijing 2022 games.
11:47 AM
German experts warn against lockdown easing as cases jump
German health experts have warned against any further easing of coronavirus lockdown measures as the number of cases jumped again due to the spread of the more infectious variant first detected in Britain.
"We can only have more relaxation if there are stable or falling case numbers," Karl Lauterbach, health expert for the Social Democrats, told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper, adding this was unlikely anytime soon.
The number of Covid-19 cases have been rising again for the last few weeks as some restrictions have been lifted.
Frustration about the ongoing lockdown and the slow pace of vaccinations has been hurting support for Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives, further dented by a face mask procurement scandal involving lawmakers from her party.
Which countries have rolled out the most vaccinations?
10:56 AM
How can you celebrate Mother's Day during the Covid-19 pandemic?
Mother’s Day is this weekend, so you may be wondering how you can celebrate amid ongoing Covid lockdown restrictions. Although Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a four-step roadmap for easing lockdown, most restrictions will still be in place on March 14.
Restaurants, pubs and non-essential shops will still be shut, indoor socialising will still be banned and people will still be advised to 'stay at home' in all but exceptional circumstances.
However, people will still be able to mark the day in line with Covid-19 guidelines. On March 8, the outdoor exercise rules changed, allowing two people to socialise outdoors in public places and have a picnic or a coffee on a park bench together.
On the same date, care home visiting rules were eased, with residents now allowed a single regular visitor, provided they have a negative Covid test and wear protective equipment. Holding hands is also allowed.
Greater Manchester Police reminds public of Covid rules
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) reminded the public that congregating in large groups is currently illegal but said "if you plan on joining events this weekend, please do so in a Covid-safe way".
"We, along with the rest of the country, are shocked and saddened about what has happened to Sarah Everard and the thoughts of everyone at GMP are with her family and friends at this horrendous time," the force said in a statement posted on Twitter.
"Women should never have to live in fear or change their behaviour to keep themselves safe on our streets, and GMP stands with this message and understands why events were planned in support of it."
The force said it "absolutely supports" the doorstep vigils that have been arranged in place of in-person events and "encourages our communities to join them".
10:43 AM
Five EU states seek summit on 'unfair' vaccine handouts
Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Latvia have called for a EU summit to discuss "huge disparities" in the distribution of vaccines, according to a letter published today.
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz suggested Friday that some members of the European Union may have signed "secret contracts" with vaccine companies to receive more doses than they were entitled to as per EU-wide agreements.
Kurz and his four counterparts on Friday sent a letter to Ursula Von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, and Charles Michel, president of the European Council, claiming that "deliveries of vaccine doses by pharma companies to individual EU member states are not being implemented on an equal basis."
"If this system were to carry on, it would continue creating and exacerbating huge disparities among member states by this summer, whereby some would be able to reach herd immunity in a few weeks while others would lag far behind," the letter said.
"We therefore call on you... to hold a discussion on this important matter among leaders as soon as possible," it said.
10:31 AM
MPs call on authorities to allow women to protest safely
Some female MPs called on authorities to ensure women could safely protest in Sarah Everard's memory and questioned the Government's proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which campaigners fear will stifle peaceful protest.
Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who represents Streatham in south-east London, tweeted: "The police decision to shut down tonight's vigil & refuse to constructively engage with @ReclaimTS is deeply wrong.
"Women should not face arrest for showing solidarity. On Monday, the Govt will put down a Bill to further restrict the right to protest."
Liberal Democrats deputy leader Daisy Cooper tweeted: "It is the Govt's responsibility to ensure people can protest safely.
"Women around the UK wanted to stand in silence, 2m apart, w/masks. They've been threatened with whopping £10k fines. On Mon, Govt will introduce new laws to curb protests further. Really?"
She posted a picture from last year's Black Lives Matter protests in her constituency of St Albans, where hundreds of people were "socially distanced, in masks, policed proportionately".
This pic was the #BLM protest in #StAlbans last summer - 100s of people, socially distanced, in masks, policed proportionately. Last night, a group of 30 young women who wanted to #ReclaimTheStreets in #StAlbans, 2m apart, in masks, were told they would face £10k fines. /2 pic.twitter.com/TVfoDmyCLR
Some campaigners said they still planned to attend the Clapham vigil despite the organisers' cancellation.
Sisters Uncut, which campaigns to prevent violence against women, tweeted: "We will still be attending tonight's event in memory of £SarahEverard and all those killed by gendered and state violence. We hope you do too. See you at Clapham Common at 6pm."
It added in a further post: "We are angry. We will not be controlled. We will not be silenced."
10:10 AM
Fundraising set up by Reclaim These Streets raises over £50,000 in three hours
A fundraising page set up this morning by the Reclaim These Streets campaign has already raised more than £50,000 in around three hours.
The campaign said it was aiming to raise £320,000 for women's charities - representing the total fines the organisers said they were told they would face should the planned protests go ahead.
The page reads: "We were told that pressing ahead could risk a £10,000 fine each for each woman organising. Even if we came to this amazing community for help in meeting those costs, we think that this would be a poor use of our and your money.
"We do not want to see hundreds of thousands of pounds contributed to a system that consistently fails to keep women safe - either in public spaces or in the privacy of their homes. Women's rights are too important."
Commenting on the passing of the £40,000 threshold, organiser Jamie Klingler tweeted: "Guess this is what it feels like to create a movement."
10:04 AM
AstraZeneca announces shortfall in planned EU vaccine delivery
AstraZeneca has announced a fresh shortfall in planned vaccine shipments to the European Union, citing production problems and export restrictions.
"AstraZeneca is disappointed to announce a shortfall in planned Covid-19 vaccine shipments to the European Union (EU) despite working tirelessly to accelerate supply," it said in a statement.
The company had previously warned it was facing shortfalls from its European supply chain due to "lower-than-expected output from the production process."
It was hoping to compensate for part of the shortfall by sourcing vaccines from its global network, with half of the EU's supply in the second quarter and 10 million doses in the first quarter due to come from its international supply chain.
"Unfortunately, export restrictions will reduce deliveries in the first quarter, and are likely to affect deliveries in the second quarter," it added.
AstraZeneca started delivery of the vaccine to the EU in February, and still aims to deliver 100 million doses in the first half of 2021, of which 30 million are due to be delivered in the first quarter.
09:50 AM
Pensioners to get third 'booster' jab in August, JCVI chief suggests
A Covid-19 booster vaccine is likely to be rolled out in the autumn to avoid another winter surge, a top government vaccination adviser has said.
Anthony Harnden, acting chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, told the BMJ that the booster would be needed either to protect against a new variant or as a safety net as the duration of protection is unknown.
He said that the booster could be given to certain vulnerable groups or the entire population.
"We certainly don't want to see a winter like we've seen this winter," he said. "And if we've got new variants circulating and we've got dropping levels of immunity due to the vaccination, then that becomes an imperative to do a booster."
Mr Harnden suggested that the booster could be rolled out in August or September "rather than later in the year, because of this worry about a large third wave affecting the elderly".
He added: "I think we're likely to make a bold decision to recommend a booster dose, even if we haven't got all the evidence of the necessity, just because I think the consequences of not immunising with the booster doses are so big.
"If it's proved that it's needed months later it may be too late."
09:35 AM
Reclaim These Streets Organisers to raise money online instead
Caitlin Prowle, one of the Reclaim These Streets organisers, said they did not want to end up in a situation they were having to raise funds to pay fines.
She told the PA news agency: "The police's lack of co-operation and unwillingness to engage with us to find a compromise means that we can't go forward in good faith.
"We can't put our supporters at risk, quite frankly we can't put ourselves at risk in that way, and so really they've left us with no other option."
She added: "We are not willing to go to this amazing community and say we need you to help us with our hundreds of thousands of pounds in fines."
She said the money "will just go straight back into a system" that "continues to fail" women.
Update: We are sorry to confirm that our Clapham vigil scheduled for tonight is cancelled. Please see the full statement here.
Government should clarify regulations to help vigil organisers, says Harriet Harman
Labour's Harriet Harman, who chairs the Joint Committee on Human Rights, said the law on freedom of association amid the coronavirus pandemic should be clarified.
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We have said previously that the law on this should be made clearer.
"The relationship between the Human Rights Act and its protection of freedom of association and the new Covid regulations has not been clearly spelt out.
"The police's response to do a blanket ban, to say we can treat everybody equally by stopping all freedom of associations, is not the right way to go about it."
She urged the Government to clarify the regulations to help the police and people who want to organise vigils.
09:17 AM
Senior Tory MP hopes people will now gather virtually for Sarah Everard vigil
Senior Conservative MP Caroline Nokes, who had previously said she asked Home Secretary Priti Patel to "step in" and allow the Sarah Everard vigil to go ahead, said she hoped people would now take the advice of organisers to gather virtually instead.
She told BBC Breakfast: "It is important that women come together. We can do that virtually and recognise the ongoing issue there is with violence against women and girls, perpetrated by men, but do it in a Covid-safe way."
Ms Nokes, who chairs the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, said she has told Government it must "do something meaningful" when it comes to tackling violence against women and girls.
She said: "The message I am giving back to Government is 'do something, do something meaningful, or my committee will be holding your feet to the fire over why not'.
"I think that's the crucial thing. I want to see positive, determined action from the Government."
09:02 AM
Philippines reports first case of Brazil variant
The Philippines has reported a spike in coronavirus infections and its first case of the highly contagious variant first identified in Brazil, while confirming nearly 100 infections of a new variant discovered locally.
A Filipino returning from Brazil tested positive for the P.1 Brazil variant after 752 samples were sequenced at the genome centre, the health ministry said in a statement.
It also reported that 98 cases were of the similar P.3 variant first detected in the Southeast Asian country early this month.
The ministry reported 5,000 new coronavirus cases, the largest single-day increase in more than six months, and 72 additional deaths. Confirmed cases have increased to 616,611 while confirmed deaths have reached 12,766.
"At present, the P.3 is not identified as a variant of concern as current available data are insufficient to conclude whether the variant will have significant public health implications," the ministry said.
08:56 AM
Russia's Sputnik vaccine sows division
Russia's Sputnik V vaccine has sown division among former Eastern Bloc countries, analysts say, with some seeing it as a godsend while others view it as a Kremlin propaganda tool.
Countries in the region have been particularly hard hit by the virus and find themselves torn between a readily available jab from their old ally and European Union resistance to Russian influence.
Analysts say such discord benefits Russia and its efforts to sow disorder in the region.
"It is very clear that Sputnik V has become a tool of soft power for Russia," Michal Baranowski from the German Marshall Fund of the United States told AFP.
"The political goal of (Russia's) strategy is to divide the West," said Baranowski, who heads the Fund's Warsaw office.
Slovakia found itself facing a government crisis only days after receiving its first batch of Sputnik V on March 1.
Prime Minister Igor Matovic hailed the jab, saying "Covid-19 does not know anything about geopolitics", while foreign minister Ivan Korcok called the vaccine "a hybrid war tool".
08:46 AM
India reviews AstraZeneca side effects after concerns in Europe
India will carry out a deeper review of post-vaccination side effects from the AstraZeneca shot next week although no cases of blood clots have been reported so far, an official told AFP today.
New Delhi decided to conduct the review after several countries suspended rollout over blood clot fears even as the World Health Organization said there was no reason to stop using AstraZeneca's Covid-19 jab.
Denmark, Norway and Iceland paused use of the drugmaker's shot as a precaution after isolated reports of recipients developing blood clots.
N.K. Arora, a member of India's national task force on Covid-19, said there was "no immediate issue of concern as number of adverse events (in India) is very, very low. We are re-looking at (adverse events that were reported) to see if there was any issue of blood clotting."
India has given at least 28 million shots in its vast vaccination programme, most of them AstraZeneca's which are produced at the Serum Institute of India.
New Delhi has also gifted and allowed exports of millions of these jabs to around 70 countries over the last few weeks as a part of its vaccine diplomacy.
08:39 AM
Reclaim These Streets campaigners cancel plans for vigil for Sarah Everard
A vigil in south London in response to the disappearance of Sarah Everard has been cancelled, organisers said, after officers from Scotland Yard "would not engage with our suggestions to help ensure that a legal, Covid-secure vigil could take place"..
Organisers from Reclaim These Streets said: "Update: We are sorry to confirm that our Clapham vigil scheduled for tonight is cancelled."
They added: "Instead, we are fundraising £320,000 for women's causes: £10K for every proposed fine for the 32 vigils originally scheduled."
In their statement, Reclaim These Streets said they had worked to engage with police to ensure the vigil could go ahead safely.
They added that "in light of the lack of constructive engagement from the Metropolitan Police, we do not feel that we can in good faith allow tonight's event to go ahead".
Meanwhile, Italy is tightening Covid restrictions for Easter weekend as many hospitals warn they're running out of ICU beds for coronavirus patients.
The government decided at a Cabinet meeting that the entire nation will be under strict ''red zone" rules the Easter weekend of April 3-5.
The day after Easter, called ''Little Easter", is a national holiday when many Italians travel for vacations or gather in parks or at beaches for picnics with friends and families.
Travel between regions is already banned under previous restrictions.
07:02 AM
Draghi promises to increase vaccinations
Italy's new prime minister has pledged to triple the number of daily vaccinations administered daily throughout the country as coronavirus cases rise.
Mario Draghi inspected a vaccination centre at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci airport on Friday and noted the pace - now running 170,000 shots daily - had picked up this month.
Italy's medicines agency blocked the use of one batch of AstraZeneca vaccines, after "several grave adverse events" were reported, Mr Draghi said, describing it as a "precautional decision" in line with other European nations.
05:43 AM
People in need struggling with health issues during pandemic
More than a quarter of people who need social care have seen their health deteriorate during the coronavirus pandemic, with one in seven requiring hospital treatment due to a lack of care.
Research has found that a lack of care during the crisis has led to older and disabled people struggling with daily activities, worried about how to cope and missing medical appointments, according to the Care and Support Alliance (CSA).
Its survey of more than 4,000 people with social care needs and carers also found that 17pc of unpaid carers who took part said their health had deteriorated because of their caring responsibilities.
Overall, 28pc of respondents said their health had deteriorated, and a quarter of people who said they had trouble carrying out daily activities said they had not been given help by authorities when they asked for it.
CSA said the results showed that a lack of social care "undermines" people's health, heaps pressure on the NHS and makes it "difficult or impossible" for people and their carers to live fulfilling lives.
05:00 AM
Queensland doctor tests positive for coronavirus
Australia today recorded its first local Covid case in more than two weeks after a doctor tested positive for coronavirus, triggering restrictions in hospitals.
Queensland state Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the unnamed doctor last week treated two patients who had recently returned to Australia and had tested positive for the UK variant.
"We know this doctor, who assessed these two Covid-positive patients was at the hospital at the time. Now, she developed symptoms," Ms Palaszczuk said. It was Australia's first local infection since February 24.
The doctor - whose name was not released - treated patients, forcing authorities into urgent contact tracing.
A Public Health Alert has been issued for parts of Brisbane following yesterday’s confirmed case of COVID-19.
Authorities are yet to determine how many people the doctor treated.
As officials seek to determine the size of the outbreak, all hospitals in the state's capital of Brisbane will be closed to visitors, Ms Palaszczuk said.
She tweeted on Friday that the Princess Alexandra Hospital had been placed into lockdown effective immediately after the positive case was detected there yesterday.
"All patients, staff and families this person interacted with are being identified and appropriate actions are being taken," Ms Palaszczuk wrote.
"Anyone with any Covid-19 symptoms should get tested immediately and isolate until you receive a negative result."
04:30 AM
Sunak predicts return to normal office work unlikely
Rishi Sunak has shared the Prime Minister's desire to see city centres return to full health after the crisis, but admits it will “probably not” happen.
The Chancellor described offices as a good and positive thing for teambuilding, camaraderie and spontaneity.
However, with major UK corporations seeking to reduce office capacity and introducing more flexible arrangements, he said: “Is it going to come back in exactly the same way? Probably not."
Working from home was obviously the “big unknown” to have emerged from Covid-19, with even small changes in people’s weekly patterns having “big implications” on the economy.
Mr Sunak said that a regular commuter choosing to spend one day per week working from home meant 20 per cent fewer people travelling on public transport, with knock-on effects for places such as cafes and rail companies.
Countries should keep using AstraZeneca vaccine: WHO
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is urging countries to continue to use the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, saying there was no indication of a link between the jabs and blood clots.
It comes after Thailand said it would delay use of the AstraZeneca vaccine after several European countries temporarily suspended the jabs following a small number of reports of health problems.
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that as countries rolled out Covid vaccines, WHO was continuing to keep a close eye on their safety.
"It's important to note that the European Medicines Agency has said there is no indication of a link between the vaccine and blood clots and that the vaccine can continue to be used while its investigation is ongoing," he said.
He said the findings and any change to the organisation's recommendations following the investigation would be relayed to the public "immediately".
All five of these hitters were drafted highly in fantasy baseball leagues. So far, they have not lived up to their ADPs — and that's an understatement. Scott Pianowski analyzes.
In one scenario, Dallas makes Prescott the highest paid player in NFL history. In another, the Cowboys decline that commitment, at which point another team will make him the top paid player in NFL history.
