Coronavirus latest news: Swathes of East and South-East of England placed into Tier 3

Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, has announced changes to England's Tier system with swathes of the East and South-East of England entering Tier 3, affecting 4.2 million people.

The areas which will go into the toughest tier of restrictions from midnight on Saturday are Bedfordshire; Buckinghamshire; Berkshire; Peterborough; Hertfordshire; Surrey - except for Waverley; Hastings and Rother; Portsmouth; Gosport; and Havant.

Bristol and North Somerset will move down a tier, to Tier 2, while Herefordshire is to move out of Tier 2 into Tier 1 - in light of a case rate of 45 per 100,000.

"No one wants tougher restrictions any longer than necessary," the Health Secretary said. "But where they are necessary we must put them in place to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed and to protect life."

Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, warned Mr Hancock that his decision to keep Greater Manchester in Tier 3 would be "greeted with dismay".

Earlier this week, London, South Hertfordshire and parts of Essex were placed into Tier 3 ahead of the formal review in light of their rising case rates.

​Follow the latest updates below.


06:52 PM

More than 50,000 pubs and restaurants battling to survive after falling into tier 3

Almost 52,000 hospitality venues across England have been plunged into tier 3 restrictions as bosses accuse the Government of effectively placing vast swathes of the sector into lockdown.

A total 51,852 pubs, restaurants and cafes will be forced to shut or operate as takeaway-only from Saturday after Matt Hancock announced parts of the east and south-east of England will be subject to the toughest Covid rules in the run-up to Christmas. 

It comes just days after London and parts of Herefordshire and Essex were placed in tier 3, while vast swathes of the country such as Greater Manchester will remain under the tough restrictions.   

Property adviser Altus Group, which collated the figures, said a further 6,831 hotels and guest houses will have to close or remain closed save for a number of limited of exemptions.

Hannah Uttley and Simon Foy have the story.


06:45 PM

Northern Ireland lockdown to last for six weeks - reports

A six-week lock down starting on Boxing Day has been agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive, according to the PA news agency.

All non-essential retail and close contact services will be shuttered, while the hospitality sector will only be allowed to operate on a takeaway basis.

There will be no changes made to the Christmas bubbling arrangements, it is understood.

The measures will be reviewed at various points in the lockdown.


06:42 PM

'Very high' risk WHO-led vaccine scheme could fail, internal documents reveal

Efforts to prevent vaccine nationalism could be in jeopardy after internal documents warned that the global scheme to deliver Covid-19 jabs to poorer countries faces a “very high” risk of failure.

The Covax facility - led by the World Health Organization and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance - aims to distribute at least two billion vaccine doses worldwide by the end of next year. 

Participating countries should have access to enough shots to vaccinate the most vulnerable 20 per cent of their national populations. 

But according to documents seen by Reuters, the scheme is struggling from a lack of funds, supply risks and complex contractual arrangements which could make it impossible to achieve these targets.

If the scheme does collapse, another document warns, billions of people – mostly in Africa, Asia and Latin America – will not have any access to Covid-19 vaccines until at least 2024. 

Sarah Newey and Jordan Kelly-Linden have more details.


06:40 PM

European leaders sent into isolation after Emmanuel Macron tests positive for Covid-19

European leaders were forced into isolation after French president Emmanuel Macron tested positive for Covid-19 at the end of a frantic week of meetings across the continent.

Prime ministers, presidents, ministers and EU leaders fell like dominoes shortly after the Élysée Palace announced the results of the test.

Mr Macron, 42, will have to isolate for a week, but vowed to continue his work remotely. He will be joined by his wife Bridgitte, who at 67 is considered to be in a high risk category.

The president had visited Brussels for an EU leaders summit last week and hosted working lunches in Paris - with limited social distancing - in the run up to the positive test.

Jean Castex, France’s Prime Minister, said he would also self-isolate after coming into regular contact with his boss.

Peter Allen has all the details.


06:35 PM

UK has 'major issues' with Covid-19 data transparency, research group finds

The UK has "major issues" with the transparency of its Covid-19 data, according to an independent pandemic research group, writes Jennifer Rigby

Britain was ranked 27th out of 100 countries in a new Covid Data Transparency Index from TotalAnalysis, a London-based data platform – behind the United States, Denmark and Spain. 

Signs outside point to rapid Covid-19 tests at a symptom free testing site in the crypt of Rochester Cathedral  - Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

The research comes just days after the British government admitted it could not immediately provide a number for how many people had been vaccinated against the coronavirus, although it later published provisional figures showing that 137,897 people had been given their first dose in the week 8-15 December.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, the only one so far approved by UK regulators, requires two doses for protection.

Read the full story here.


06:33 PM

Scotland lockdown looms after Christmas due to 'rising tide of Covid'

Scots could be facing a potential lockdown after Christmas, the Deputy First Minister has warned, due to “a rising tide of Covid”, reports Georgina Hayes.

John Swinney said on Thursday that the Cabinet would meet as it usually does on Tuesday to discuss restrictions across the country, but would not rule out the imposition of strict new measures across Scotland.

The warning comes as infections are beginning to rise again, with 99 cases per 100,000 people 10 days ago increasing to 116.

"We'll have to look at what the forward prospects look like, we'll have to take decisions that will be sustainable for a period into January and February to protect the public interest and protect the National Health Service," Mr Swinney said.

Read more: Deputy First Minister doesn't rule out strict measures


06:31 PM

King of Sweden says country's Covid strategy 'has failed' and mourns 'terrible' death toll

Sweden's king has declared the country's handling of coronavirus a failure, pointing to the "terrible" death toll of close to 8,000 people, and the "sorrow and frustration" felt by those who have lost loved ones.

In an interview recorded for the Royals' annual Christmas television programme, Carl XVI Gustaf delivered his harsh verdict on Sweden's light-touch strategy.

"I think we have failed," he said. "A large number people have died, put quite simply, and that's terrible. It's something that we all have to suffer."

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia - Pontus Lundahl/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The king's intervention reflects growing criticism of the government and its agencies, both from the media, opposition politicians and from the public.   

The country's coronavirus commission heavily criticised both the government and the public health agency on Tuesday for their failure to prevent the virus from cutting a swathe through elderly care homes.

Richard Orange, in Malmohas the story.


06:21 PM

'Miracle Mal' survives Covid battle after he was given 'almost zero' chance of survival

A father who became known as "Miracle Mal" has told how he was forced to have several of his fingers amputated and lost vision in one eye after spending 61 days on a ventilator fighting coronavirus.

Mal Martin, 58, was given an "almost zero" chance of survival when he was admitted to Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend in March.

The businessman, who runs a recruitment firm based in South Wales, began experiencing cold-like symptoms the day before Boris Johnson announced the first national lockdown before he was soon bedbound with a feverish temperature.

Ten days later Mr Martin's breathing became rapid and was admitted to hospital. In April, he was placed into an induced coma.

Weeks later, Mr Martin's wife Sue, 49, revealed in an emotional interview with the BBC that her and her two children, Hana, 16, and William,14, had said what they thought was their final goodbyes in a 10-minute phone call over Facetime.

Max Stephens has the story.


06:18 PM

Christmas bubble rules: Priti Patel urges people to report neighbours who flout restrictions

Priti Patel has urged people to report neighbours who flout Christmas bubble rules - but only if they are having raves or house parties, reports Charles Hymas.

The Home Secretary said she would inform the police if she saw people breaching coronavirus laws over Christmas - and made clear that enforcement of the laws will not be scaled back.

"Any individual that saw any laws being broken would take that upon themselves," she told BBC Breakfast.

"If I saw somebody flouting coronavirus regulations and the laws, of course I would look to inform the police about that. The public are part of this. We do see the public and the police working together."

Read Charles' full story here.


06:15 PM

Wales' Merthyr Tydfil has highest Covid case rate of any local authority area

Merthyr Tydfil in Wales currently has the highest rate of new Covid-19 cases of any local authority area in the UK, according to the latest data, with 1,110.6 cases per 100,000 people.

This is almost double its figure of 593.4 in the previous week.

Medway in Kent has the highest rate in England, at 772.2 cases per 100,000, up from 604.9.

North Ayrshire has the highest rate in Scotland, at 181.8.


06:04 PM

Tier system rules 'not strong enough' to control virus, claims Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer expressed concerns that the tier system was "just not strong enough to control the virus".

He made his comments while visiting residents and flood victims in Doncaster.


06:03 PM

Kent coronavirus cases should make all residents act like they have virus, says Hancock

Appealing to the people of Kent in the Commons earlier, Matt Hancock said:

I would say to everybody right across Kent that we really need to act with serious responsibility right across Kent, no matter which part of Kent you're in, we have a very serious problem in Kent.

The only way that we can get it under control is for people in Kent to essentially behave as if they have the virus and are trying not to pass it on to somebody else.

Be really cautious in Kent, it is the area of the country which has the biggest problem both in terms of case rates and in terms of, therefore, the huge pressures on the NHS in Kent.

05:51 PM

'Vaccine safety concerns are understandable but we must address them with the facts'

Nine months ago, when Covid-19 was first declared a pandemic, the question everyone was asking was why it takes so long to produce vaccines, says Dr Seth Berkley.

With the UK rolling out the first Covid-19 shots, researchers and vaccine manufacturers have pulled out all the stops to develop and deliver them in record time.

But as the beginning of the end of this crisis draws tantalisingly close – and we should be worrying about whether there will be enough vaccine doses to go around – we are now faced with an alarming number of people unwilling to be vaccinated precisely because they have been developed so quickly.

According to a survey by Ipsos Mori, more than half of Britons don’t believe that enough time has passed to see if the vaccines really work, and even more say it’s too soon to know what the side effects are.

Unless public concerns over the efficacy and safety of Covid-19 vaccines are addressed, we could see significant numbers of people refusing vaccination, or delaying it. That would be disastrous because it would allow the virus to continue to circulate and prolong the pandemic.

05:46 PM

Human rights abuses committed in 60 countries under cover of controlling pandemic

Law-enforcement agencies around the world have violated human rights in 60 countries under the pretext of tackling Covid-19, according to a new report from Amnesty International, writes Jennifer Rigby.

The abuses include accounts of people being shot for breaking curfew, the violent suppression of protests, arbitrary arrests, and assaults on individuals not wearing masks - in countries from Angola to Chechnya.

In some cases, the abuses actually may have worsened the impact of Covid-19, for example by detaining people in crowded, unsanitary jails, the report added. 

“The horrific abuses committed on the pretext of fighting Covid-19 include Angolan police shooting a teenage boy in the face for allegedly breaking curfew, and police in El Salvador shooting a man in the legs after he went out to buy food,” said Patrick Wilcken, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Global Issues Programme.

Read the full story here.


05:36 PM

Third lockdown not ruled out by Downing Street

Downing Street has this afternoon refused to rule out the possibility of a third national lockdown in England.

As a further 532 Covid deaths were reported across the UK, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said:

We’ve been clear of the rationale behind the tiered regional approach and that’s what we’ve set out for the time.

That is designed to reduce the rate of transmission and reduce the R rate in areas of high prevalence.

We will obviously keep the latest data and the latest trends under review.

05:34 PM

UK latest news: Covid map to look different again from Saturday

From Saturday, the Covid map of England will look different again. Large swathes of the Home Counties will be placed under Tier 3 restrictions due to rising coronavirus levels.

An extra 4.2 million people will be living under the toughest rules, taking the total to 38 million people - or 68 per cent of England's population. From Wednesday, the rules are being loosened for five days over Christmas. What then?

It was announced today that holidays will be extended by a week for some secondary school children to enable the rollout of mass Covid testing for pupils at the start of term.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Rishi Sunak will keep the furlough scheme open for another month until April and extend government loan guarantees for firms in a double boost for struggling workers and businesses.

Danny Boyle has all this and more in tonight's news briefing.


05:24 PM

Tobias Ellwood: Priti Patel attacks 'egregious' breach of Covid rules

Home Secretary Priti Patel has criticised a senior Tory MP for breaching coronavirus rules by attending a Christmas dinner for 27 guests, reports Charles Hymas.

Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, apologised on Thursday after it emerged he gave a speech to a business group’s event in London billed as a Christmas party.

File photo dated 14/05/19 of Tobias Ellwood. Home Secretary Priti Patel has accused the Tory MP of breaching coronavirus rules by attending a Christmas dinner for 27 guests - Yui Mok/PA Wire

The event, by the Iraq Britain Business Council was held at the Cavalry and Guards Club in Piccadilly just hours before London entered Tier 3.

The MP claimed it was "fully Covid compliant" and that he attended it for business purposes as permitted under Tier 2 rules.

However, in comments backed by Downing Street, Ms Patel suggested he could face a fine for his attendance at Tuesday's event.


05:18 PM

Travel corridors to remain unchanged for next three weeks, says Shapps

The list of destinations from where travellers arriving in the UK are exempt from quarantine requirements will not change within the next three weeks unless "emergency removals" are required, Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, has announced.

Uruguay, Namibia, and the US Virgin Islands have been removed from the list, he confirmed.

Read more from our travel team here.


05:15 PM

Oxford coronavirus vaccine stimulates broad antibody and T-cell responses

The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine for Covid-19 stimulates broad antibody and T-cell responses, published trial results show.

Further research has been published to establish the evidence behind a move to a two-dose regimen in phase three trials, which are ongoing.

Previous studies have shown that in order to develop any vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, two key elements of the immune system need to be activated.

A volunteer is administered the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, in Oxford, England - John Cairns/University of Oxford via AP

These are neutralising antibodies against the coronavirus spike protein which is likely to be critically important in protecting against the disease, as well as robust T cell responses.

The findings are reported in two papers, and both appear in the in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Medicine.


05:00 PM

London in Tier 3: what the new rules mean for you

London was moved into Tier 3 restrictions even before today's review of the tiered system following "very sharp, exponential rises" in cases in the region. 

Large swathes of the south-east of England have also moved into the toughest level of restrictions. On Saturday, they will be joined by further parts of the east and south-east.

Multiple records have now shown that the capital had the highest weekly case rates of any region in the country.

There were approximately 319.3 cases per 100,000 people, on the week ending December 13.

But what do the new rules mean for people in these areas? John Fitzpatrick has all the details.


04:56 PM

UK coronavirus deaths rise by 532

A further 532 deaths with coronavirus in the UK have been confirmed by the Department of Health.

This brings the country's official recorded death toll since the start of the pandemic to 66,052.

A further 35,383 cases have also been confirmed. The seven-day rolling average of cases has increased by 41.6 per cent.


04:35 PM

Secondary schools will operate staggered return next month

Secondary schools and colleges will operate a staggered return in order to facilitate mass testing programmes in January, Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, has confirmed.

Remote education will be offered in the week commencing January 4 for all students who will not be taking exams at the start of next year.

Face-to-face education will resume on January 11. Primary schools, special schools and key worker children will all be unaffected.

Mr Williamson said: "This targeted testing round will clamp down on the virus as students return from the Christmas break and help stop the spread of Covid-19 in the wider community.

"Building on the fantastic actions that schools and colleges have already taken to be as safe as possible, this additional testing will catch those who have the virus but are not showing symptoms to help schools and colleges stay in control of the virus throughout the spring term."

Mr Williamson insisted that keeping schools open next year "will remain a national priority".

Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, described testing in schools as "crucial for us to break the chains of transmission and keep students, staff and their loved ones safe".

"Rapid testing is a reliable and effective way to identify people without symptoms that we otherwise wouldn’t know about," he said.

"By doing this we can help schools and colleges open safely after the Christmas break and ensure there is minimal disruption to our children’s education."


04:22 PM

Christmas shopping will exceed £5bn this weekend, predicts report

Shopping in the final weekend before Christmas is forecast to exceed £5 billion, with more than 40 million Britons predicted to visit physical stores amid the ongoing pandemic.

Despite tiered systems being in place, footfall is actually expected to exceed 2019 levels by 12 per cent on Saturday, according to the Shopping for Christmas report from VoucherCodes.co.uk.

A total of £1.65 billion will be spent on Saturday alone, with £1.55bn spent across online and offline retail likely to be spent on Friday.

The most money is to be spent in London, the report suggests, with more busy scenes in the Oxford Street and Regent Street shopping areas likely.


04:15 PM

Treasury unveils double boost for economy

The Chancellor will keep the furlough scheme open until April and extend government loan guarantees for firms in a double boost for struggling workers and businesses, write Tim Wallace and Russell Lynch.

Rishi Sunak will extend the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for another month to support the economy while the government rolls out its mass vaccination programme against Covid-19.

The scheme will continue to pay 80pc of salaries, despite hints that this level might be reviewed in the new year.

As of the end of October, 2.4m jobs were still furloughed, with 1.4m fully furloughed and just short of 1m using the scheme on a part-time basis.

The Treasury is also extending its business loan guarantee schemes until the end of March, making it easier for companies to borrow to get through the economic downturn.


04:00 PM

Lord Speaker excuses himself from debate to receive coronavirus vaccine

Lord Fowler, the speaker of the House of Lords, today excused himself from a session in order to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

He added: "There are perhaps some advantages to being 82, going on 83, and it is not an appointment I wish to miss."

Watch below:


03:58 PM

Health app use up by a quarter in UK since first lockdown

The use of health apps has increased by a quarter since the first national lockdown, according to new research which shows how Britons are using technology to monitor their wellbeing.

There has been a 25 per cent increase in the use of health-related apps since the end of March, according to data from Pharmacy2U.

The average respondent now stores three different health apps on their smartphone.

One in five Brits now use fitness tracking apps such as Strava or Nike Run Club, it has emerged, while the same percentage also use calorie tracking apps.

Other popular health apps include sleep monitoring and mindfulness programmes.


03:50 PM

Revolution Bars hits out at 'scandalous' and 'derisory' support

Revolution Bars reported widening full-year losses as it slammed the Government's support for the hospitality sector as "scandalous" and "derisory", writes Simon Foy

The listed chain posted a £31.7m pre-tax loss for the year to the end of June, compared with a £5.6m loss during the same period last year. Revenues declined by almost a third to £110m. 

The company hit out at restrictions imposed on the industry, adding that the Government was "deliberately" sacrificing businesses. 

Chief executive Rob Pitcher said: "The UK Government's actions towards wet-led bars and late-night hospitality are nothing short of scandalous. It has little evidence to justify the severe restrictions that have been imposed and it is deliberately sacrificing businesses and people's livelihoods.

"The recent grants of £1,000 per pub as compensation for being deprived of our most important trading period is derisory and insulting, and underlines a complete lack of understanding of the costs associated with businesses of this nature (even when they are shut) or any sympathy for the consequences of their inept decisions."

Read the full story here.


03:29 PM

England coronavirus cases highest among 40-49-year-olds

Case rates in England have risen across all age groups, according to the latest data from Public Health England.

The biggest rise has been among 30-39 year-olds, where the rate stood at 266.0 cases per 100,000 people in the week to December 13. The previous week's rate was 196.4.

For 40 to 49 year-olds, the rate rose from 201.8 to 268.3, which is the highest rate of any age group.

Rates rose from 178.9 to 245.2 among 20-29 year-olds, and from 199.8 to 256.8 among 10-19 year-olds.


03:18 PM

Joe Biden will be given coronavirus vaccine next week

President-elect Joe Biden will get the coronavirus vaccine as soon as next week, transition officials said on Wednesday, as US authorities try to build public confidence in a measure that could curb the deadly pandemic.

Vice President Mike Pence will get the vaccine on Friday, the White House said.

Both men will receive the shot publicly in an effort to boost confidence in the safety of the vaccine, which will become widely available to the public next year.

Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden (L) greets US Vice President Mike Pence - Angela Weiss/AFP

"I don't want to get ahead of the line but I want to make sure that we demonstrate to the American people that it is safe to take," Mr Biden said at an event earlier on Wednesday.

Mr Biden, 78, is in a high-risk category for the coronavirus because of his age.

More than 300,000 Americans have died with coronavirus so far.

Read the full story here.


03:10 PM

Poland set for three weeks of lockdown after Christmas

Poland will impose a string of national lockdown from December 28 to January 17, Adam Niedzielski, its health minister, has confirmed today.

The measures involve the closure of all non-essential retail outlets, shopping centres, hotels and ski slopes.

"I call on every Pole to be responsible for themselves and their loved ones," Niedzielski told a news conference. "But I know that calls won't help."


02:58 PM

Prince Charles and Camilla visit coronavirus vaccine centre

The Prince of Wales told staff administering the Covid-19 vaccination that he is "way down the list" for an injection, but has antibodies because he had suffered with the virus.

Prince Charles visited a vaccination centre at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital with the Duchess of Cornwall.

The couple met the frontline health workers who are administering and receiving the Pfizer/BioNTec jab.

Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall visit a vaccination centre at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, - Chris Jackson/Pool

Charles told staff: "I think I am way down the list and will have to wait.

"I think I'll have to wait for the AstraZeneca one before it gets to my turn. I'm some way down the list."


02:49 PM

Tier 3 businesses need more support, argues Tory West Midlands Mayor

Andy Street, the Conservative Mayor of the West Midlands, has led calls for more Government cash to support businesses affected by stringent Tier 3 rules.

Mr Street said the current package of financial measures allowing affected businesses to claim up to £3,000 a month "just is not going to cover it" during the Christmas period.

He said that he had already written to the Chancellor.

There's no room at the inn at this London pub, forced to operate on a takeaway-only basis. - Betty Laura Zapata/Bloomberg

Dan Jarvis, mayor of Sheffield City Region, said South Yorkshire businesses face a "critical" situation, while Rob Butler, the MP for Aylesbury, told the House of Commons that swathes of the south entering Tier 3 "heralds the bleakest of midwinters for hospitality".


02:41 PM

London coronavirus cases at highest rate in UK, shows weekly surveillance report

London is the region of the UK with the highest rate of coronavirus cases, according to the newest weekly surveillance report released by Public Health England.

The capital city had 319.3 cases per 100,000 people in the week up until December 13.

This marked an increase from 199.9 per 100,000 in the previous week.

Shoppers pictured on Regent Street in London last Friday (December 11). - Hollie Adams/Getty Images

Eastern England's Covid rate has risen from 152.9 to 249.1, while in South-East England the estimated caseload now stands at 238.7 per 100,000.

Yorkshire & the Humber was the only area to record a week-on-week decline after its case rate fell from 153.6 to 148.5.


02:29 PM

Furlough scheme extended until end of April 2021, Rishi Sunak confirms

Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, has extended the furlough and loan schemes for a further month.

Both will now last until the end of April 2021, Mr Sunak has confirmed.

"We will continue to pay 80 per cent towards wages of unworked hours - giving businesses and employees across the UK certainty into the New Year," he said.

"While our loan schemes have provided a vital lifeline to millions of firms across the country, we know that business owners need additional certainty as we head into the New Year," added Alok Sharma, the Business Secretary.

It has also been announced that the Budget will take place on March 3.


02:20 PM

Tobias Ellwood attends 'Christmas party' with 27 people – but insists he didn't break rules

Tobias Ellwood has insisted he did not break tier restrictions after attending a 27-person function in London this week, reports Danielle Sheridan.

The Tory MP and chairman of the defence select committee was among the attendees at an event dubbed a “Christmas party” by the Iraq Britain Business Council.

Under London's Tier 3 restrictions, people must not meet anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor or outdoor setting, and the "rule of six" also applies.

Mr Ellwood has defended his attendance at the gathering by insisting it was a business function and therefore permitted under current restrictions.

He claimed the function at the Cavalry and Guards Club was described as a party in a “clerical error”. 

Read the full story here.


02:15 PM

Northern Ireland lockdown after Christmas could last six weeks

Northern Ireland has proposed a hard lockdown for as long as six weeks after the Christmas period, it is understood.

Ministers will meet this afternoon to discuss a recommendation from Robin Swann, the health minister, for widespread closures across shopping outlets, hospitality and leisure.

Mr Swann is also thought to have pushed for firm action on house parties at New Year.


01:54 PM

Greater Manchester: Andy Burnham 'very disappointed' but 'not surprised'

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has highlighted that Greater Manchester today has lower rates than Liverpool and London when they entered Tier 2.

"One can only conclude that it's the changed context in London and the South East which has changed the national context which has led to everybody in the north of England staying in restrictions," he told BBC Radio 4.

"It feels like if the North has rising cases, the North goes under restrictions; if London and the South East has rising cases, everyone stays under restrictions."


01:48 PM

Keir Starmer: Virus messaging and response must improve

Sir Keir Starmer has demanded improvements from the NHS Test and Trace system as he said that the tiered restrictions are "not strong enough" to control the spread of coronavirus.

"We've been seeing the numbers going in the wrong direction across the country in the last seven days in particular," he said.

"Work at home, don't work at home, go out to eat, don't go out to eat, enjoy Christmas, have a small Christmas....  the messaging needs to improve.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to Bentley, South Yorkshire - Pool/Getty Images

 "The numbers are heading in the wrong direction, the medical advice is that this could lead to real problems in January.

"Instead of the Prime Minister stepping up himself and saying 'I'm leading from the front', he is effectively saying 'it's over to you, families and communities' and trying to shift the blame to other people to take responsibility for Christmas."


01:39 PM

Coronavirus vaccine trials: Calls for pregnant women to be included

Leading researchers have backed calls for pregnant women to be included in trials for Covid-19 treatments, warning they are at higher risk of more serious complications of the disease, reports Anne Gulland.

A study in the Lancet Global Health reviewed nearly 900 clinical trials into treatments for the virus and found that around three quarters explicitly exclude pregnant women - this is despite the fact that many are testing existing drugs that have already been shown to be safe for mothers and their unborn babies. 

The authors say there is a “public health obligation” to include pregnant women in treatment trials.

Previous research has shown that pregnant women are at greater risk of complications of Covid than women who are not pregnant.

Read more: Calls to end routine exclusion of pregnant women from research


01:24 PM

Tier review: More reaction as large parts of South enter Tier 3

The changes to the tier system confirmed by the Health Secretary today mean that 68 per cent of the UK's population will be living under Tier 3 rules from Saturday.

The leader of Surrey County Council, Tim Oliver, said residents and businesses will find most of the county moving into Tier 3 "very disappointing news" after "exceptionally difficult year".

While Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said that the region staying in Tier 3 is "bitterly disappointing so close to Christmas".

"For many of our businesses the possibility of trading, even in a limited way, would have been a brief respite in what has been a devastating year," he said.

However Dr Julian Tang, an honorary associate professor and clinical virologist at the University of Leicester, welcomed the news as a "wise precautionary measure".

“If London emerged from the national lockdown into Tier 3 rather than Tier 2, we might not be seeing the current surge in Covid-19 cases there that we are seeing now.

“I know this will be difficult for businesses but right now we are trying to stop people getting ill and dying from any infection acquired during this Christmas break - a relaxation which on paper looks like the exact opposite of what we have been trying to do all year."


01:14 PM

Interest rates will stay unchanged, confirms Bank of England

The Bank of England;'s MPC has voted unanimously to keep interest rates and its asset purchasing targets unchanged, at 0.1pc and £875bn respectively. 

However sub-zero interest rates may remain under discussion in 2021 in light of developments around the ongoing pandemic, plus key decisions on Brexit.


01:03 PM

Matt Hancock: 'Everyone has to be very, very careful'

As the session comes to an end, Mr Hancock says:

Anyone can be passing it on to a loved one - everyone has to be very, very careful.

It is in the best interests of everybody and their loved ones and their community to get a test at the first sign of symptoms.

If the test is positive or they are contacted - then isolate and do so not just because they have to, but because it is the right thing to do to isolate properly and fully.

He once more urges Britons to exercise "caution and personal responsibility" so that people can make the most of five days of relaxed restrictions.


01:00 PM

Matt Hancock: 'Best thing everyone can do' is get vaccinated when asked

Matt Hancock says "the best thing everyone can do when the NHS calls is to get that vaccine and get it done" to protect their family, friends and community.

Mr Hancock is asked whether he has read the interim report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus.

He says that: "Given this is an unprecedented situation, all of the health authorities across the UK... we're always constantly talking and trying to make sure that all of the insights that can be gained can be applied."

Mr Hancock says the success of contact-tracing has been due to the "hard work and learning the insights from each other about how we can make the systems better".


12:51 PM

Matt Hancock: 'The public aren't fools - they know Christmas is their responsibility'

Sarah Owen, the Labour MP for Luton North, cites warnings from scientists and medical experts that loosened restrictions for Christmas will lead to higher infection rates.

"The public aren't fools. Tougher restrictions will likely be needed in the New Year," she says, asking Matt Hancock to confirm that this is to be the case.

"Where I agree with the honourable lady is that the public aren't fools," Mr Hancock says.

"The public know that it is their responsibility as well as the Government's to get this under control. People have still followed the [restrictions] because they know that they're important."

Mr Hancock does not comment on the prospect of further restrictions after Christmas.


12:46 PM

Vaccine plans for no-deal are in place, says Matt Hancock

Responding to a question about the potential impact of a no-deal Brexit on vaccinations, Matt Hancock says plans are in place "whatever the outcome of negotiations on a future trading relationship with the EU".


12:45 PM

Schools mass testing regimes will add further pressures on schools, MP warns

Jeff Smith, Labour MP for Manchester Withington, says that schools are worried about running mass testing regimes among all of their other responsibilities.

He demands to know why the Secretary of State for Education has not taken questions on this, and what support will be provided to schools.

Mr Hancock responds that while plans need to go out "as soon as possible", Gavin Williamson will announce more details be doing this later today.

"I'm sure that the Education Secretary will want to to work right across the country to roll out this programme as effectively as possible, and make sure we can have high-quality testing in schools," he says.


12:42 PM

Tier 3 'heralds the bleakest of midwinters'

Rob Butler, the Conservative MP for Aylesbury, said: "The news that Buckinghamshire is going into Tier 3 heralds the bleakest of midwinters, especially for local hospitality businesses.

"It is imperative that they get extra help, and that this lasts as short a time as possible."

Mr Butler says it is "alarming" that Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust has been given no date when it will get a supply of vaccines, especially when Oxfordshire, which is in a lower tier, has been given a date.

Mr Hancock says he will write to Mr Butler "immediately" for primary care-based vaccination facilities.

"I regret having to put Buckinghamshire into the Tier 3 measures. But it was unfortunately absolutely necessary. I hope we can get cases down, and get people vaccinated, as soon as possible."


12:39 PM

Tier system reaction: 'A hammer blow to follow so many others'

Dan Jarvis, the mayor of the Sheffield City Region - which has been kept in Tier 3 - said: "I know this decision is absolutely the last thing our communities and businesses wanted to hear, another hammer blow to follow so many others.

"For many of our businesses, these days and weeks are critical to their survival."

Responding to the announcement that North Somerset will move from Tier 3 into Tier 2, North Somerset Council's executive member for health Mike Bell said: "This has been a really hard year and it's very tempting to let it all go, even for a few days over Christmas.

"But things can turn around so fast. We've seen Covid cases spike very quickly in other areas and we all need to do everything we can to avoid that happening here.

And Stephen McPartland, the Conservative MP for Stevenage, tweeted that it is "ridiculous that we are being dragged into Tier 3... I was right to vote against a second lockdown and Tier system."


12:36 PM

Which Covid tier am I in? Find out with our map:

 


12:28 PM

Tier 3 should mean more economic support, says Greg Clark

Greg Clark, the MP for Tunbridge Wells, says that infections in his constituency are rising and says he "understands" why it has not been moved out of Tier 3.

"Will he have a word with the Chancellor to see what extra support can be given in the hospitality sector who have just lost what would be the most important part of the year?"

Matt Hancock says he will "talk to the Chancellor" while insisting "we already have a significant amount of support".

He says people in Kent should behave "as if they have the virus" and that Kent has the biggest pressures on the NHS nationwide.


12:25 PM

Greater Manchester Tier 3 decision will be 'greeted with dismay', warns Graham Brady

Sir Graham Brady, the Tory MP for Trafford and chair of the 1922 Committee, says:

The statement will be greeted with dismay in Greater Manchester, where we have had severe restrictions for nine months.Where in nine of the 10 boroughs the rates are below the national average.What exactly do we have to do to be moved out of Tier 3?

Sir Graham says that his constituents have "behaved responsibly" and notes that case rates are lower than they are in neighbouring Cheshire and Warrington, both in Tier 2.

Responding, Mr Hancock says that he appreciates Sir Graham's disappointment.

He says the Government "looked very closely" at a number of areas in Greater Manchester and the idea of taking a "different decision for them".

"There continues to be significant pressure on the NHS in the North-West, including in Manchester," Mr Hancock says. "I look forward to working with people right across Manchester to get this sorted".


12:22 PM

Matt Hancock thanks Ian McKellen and Prue Leith for vaccine uptake

Matt Hancock thanks everyone who has "gone public with their vaccines so far" - he thanks Ian McKellen (watch video below) and The Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith.

"It's absolutely terrific that people are getting vaccinated... and encouraging others to do so," he says.

Undated handout photo of The Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith, 80, receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. - Prue Leith/PA Wire

 


12:20 PM

Tier 3 rules will apply to 4.26 million more Britons from Saturday

 


12:16 PM

We must take the young with us on Covid rules, says Felicity Buchan

Felicity Buchan, Conservative MP for Kensington, says that three areas going down in the Tier system is "vitally important for compliance".

She says "it is critical that we take the public, including the young, with us".

Matt Hancock says he "strongly agrees" that the best way to get out of Tier 3 is compliance with restrictions.

"Not just to comply with them because they're the law, but take that responsibility to make sure we don't spread the virus," he says. "Which each one of us can do because of its asymptomatic nature."


12:12 PM

Tier 3: Matt Hancock quizzed on 'lives and livelihoods'

Karl Turner, Labour MP for Hull East, notes that Christmas is the busiest time of year for hospitality businesses.

He says that some businesses will lose a quarter of their profits, and asks what the Health Secretary will do to "protect lives and livelihoods".

Matt Hancock says he "feels gratitude to everyone in Hull" to get case rates down, but adds "we're not quite there yet."

"We are putting the support in that comes with being part of Tier 3, we've put record sums in to support hospitality. But I appreciate this is tough, especially in the run-up to Christmas. I can commit to keep working with the honourable gentleman to do everything we can to get the hospitality open again."


12:09 PM

EU vaccine dates confirmed from December 27

Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, confirms that the European Union will commence vaccination across its member states from December 27:

 


12:05 PM

Matt Hancock: We've got to find a balance over Christmas

Matt Hancock says it has been an "incredibly difficult year which has had a very difficult burden on large families".

However he says he "understands the urge for caution - I also understand people want to see their children, people want to see their grandparents.

"Christmas is an important time of year and we've got to find that balance."


12:00 PM

Christmas rules require 'personal responsibility', insists Matt Hancock

Matt Hancock stresses that "personal responsibility" is important throughout Christmas.

"It's down to individuals - each and every one of us - to take responsibility for our actions, within the rules of course, but also being cautious.

Matt Hancock makes his Tiers announcement in the Commons 

"This is a massive team effort. When a community has come together to get case rates down, this is when it has happened and when it has worked."


11:56 AM

Covid Christmas rules must be reviewed, says Labour

Jonathan Ashworth says clinicians are "pleading" with Matt Hancock to keep people safe over Christmas.

He notes spikes in coronavirus cases in the US after Thanksgiving, and warns a similar thing will happen in the UK.

"This isn't about cancelling Christmas. Santa will still deliver his presents. But is he really telling us that allowing the mixing of households across generations and regions for five days is sensible given the virus is raging with such ferocity at the moment?"

Mr Ashworth urges the Health Secretary to "look again" at the Christmas arrangements.


11:52 AM

Matt Hancock warns Covid-19 is a 'silent disease'

Matt Hancock says Covid-19 can be a "silent disease" and notes that one in three people with Covid is asymptomatic.

"The best thing we can all do is act with responsibility to get this virus under control."

He says that the Government is "further expanding" its testing programme and the vaccine roll-out is accelerating, with more than 200 vaccine sites now open.


11:50 AM

Tier system: No changes for vast majority of areas

Matt Hancock says that for the vast majority of Tier 3 areas, there will be no change.

However he confirms Bristol and North Somerset will move down a tier to Tier 2 on Saturday.

Herefordshire is moved out of Tier 2 into Tier 1, in light of a case rate of 45 per 100,000.


11:49 AM

Swathes of South-East enter Tier 3

Matt Hancock confirms that Tier 3 measures will be applied from midnight on Saturday to the following areas:

Bedfordshire; Buckinghamshire; Berkshire; Peterborough; Hertfordshire; Surrey - except for Waverley; Hastings and Rother; Portsmouth; Gosport; and Havant.


11:48 AM

No one wants tougher restrictions, says Matt Hancock

Matt Hancock says that he must report to the House of Commons that "across the world cases are rising once more", citing Europe, the US and Japan.

"No one wants tougher restrictions any longer than necessary, but where they are necessary we must put them in place to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed and to protect life.

"This is a moment where we must act with caution."


11:46 AM

Matt Hancock: 'We mustn't blow it now'

Matt Hancock is on his feet in the Commons.

"As we enter the coldest months, we must be vigilant," he says, noting that more than 18,000 people currently in hospital in the UK have the virus.

"This isn't just a matter for Government or for this house, it's a matter for every single person.

"We must be cautious as we accelerate the vaccine deployment. We've come so far, we mustn't blow it now."


11:39 AM

New coronavirus strain: how dangerous is it?

A new variant of coronavirus has been identified in England and Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, revealed earlier this week that its numbers "are increasing rapidly".

He told the Commons: "Initial analysis suggests that this variant is growing faster than the existing variants.

"We've currently identified over 1,000 cases with this variant predominantly in the South of England although cases have been identified in nearly 60 different local authority areas."

With news of this new strain of the disease, Sarah Knapton, The Telegraph's Science Editor, answers your questions. 


11:27 AM

School Christmas holidays to be extended by a week for mass testing

The Christmas holiday will be extended by a week for some secondary school children to enable the rollout of mass Covid testing for pupils at the start of the new term.

The Government will announce a staggered return of children in different academic year groups, with years 11 and 13 first to go back so they can resume GCSE and A-level studies.

The move comes amid warnings that the relaxation of social distancing rules for five days over Christmas will lead to a spike in coronavirus infections and deaths.

File photo dated 31/08/20 of students at St Columba's High School, Gourock, wearing protective face masks as they head to lessons - Jane Barlow/PA Wire

The NEU teaching union had urged the Government to move teaching online for the first week of term to give schools time to train staff in administering Covid tests.

Instead, The Telegraph understands that Education Secretary Gavin Williamson will announce the staggered return, beginning on Jan 4. All pupils will be back at school by Jan 11, one week later.

Gordon Rayner and Camilla Turner have the story.


11:24 AM

"Covid Christmas shambles foreshadows the divisive despotism to come"

The Covid Christmas miracle has mutated into a farce, laments Sherelle Jacobs.

More fool Boris Johnson for promising the “prize” of a half-decent Yuletide if we followed restrictions like good little girls and boys. Just when a vaccine breakthrough had lifted morale, the PM’s dithering over holiday rules plunged the public conversation back into a frenzy.

His sensible clarifications yesterday – that people should stay local if they can, and three households is a limit not a target – were too late to temper the hysteria of the broadcast media and exhausted corners of the nation.

The Government has hesitated about trusting the public and failed to use the opportunity of Christmas to lead the national debate on to less emotional ground.

Instead, the whole imbroglio has seen people manipulated and patronised like children from start to finish.

11:18 AM

Have you had a treatment or operation cancelled due to Covid?

It was revealed earlier this year that operations have been cancelled across the NHS as health services struggle to cope with rising numbers of coronavirus patients.

The sudden spike in cases has prompted fears that renewed restrictions will worsen the already perilous non-Covid health crisis.

More than 20 NHS trusts postponed surgery this year amid warnings that beds could be overwhelmed.

If you have recently had treatment or an operation cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, we want to hear from you about the impact it has had on your life.


11:13 AM

Macron Covid news: Spanish and French Prime Ministers also self-isolating

Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish Prime Minister, will self-isolate until Christmas Eve after President Emmanuel Macron tested positive for coronavirus.

The two leaders met on Monday in Paris for a lunch at the Élysée.

Jean Castex, the French Prime Minister, is also in isolation. While Mr Castex is not showing any symptoms, he has been identified as a possible "contact case".

Meanwhile Boris Johnson has wished Mr Macron a speedy recovery:


10:45 AM

Tenerife 'remains open' with no holiday ban

The Tenerife tourist board has confirmed that there will be no ban on international travellers, despite reports to the contrary this morning.

"International travellers can arrive to Tenerife as long they're tested before arrival with PCR," a spokesperson told Telegraph Travel.

Tenerife - Desiree Martin/AFP

Tour operator Jet2 also confirmed that no travel ban will be introduced: "We can assure customers that we have received confirmation from the Canaries Government that this is not the case," said a spokesperson. "Holidaymakers can still travel to Tenerife."

Read the full story and get latest updates here.


10:17 AM

Which areas could get a lower lockdown Tier before Christmas?

The number of people in the strictest tier of coronavirus restrictions looks set to grow when the Government reviews England's measures today.

Great swathes of southern England in areas such as East Sussex and Surrey are on course to enter Tier 3 on Saturday, with limited loosening on restrictions in the North.

Ministers met on Dec 16 to review England's tier system and decide whether any parts of the country will face tighter or looser restrictions in the run up to Christmas.

Read our full analysis and predictions here.


10:13 AM

More than half of schools in England had at least one Covid-19 infection last month

Of the 105 schools in the survey, 1.24% of pupils and 1.29% of staff tested positive for Covid-19 between November 3 and 19, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The survey also found that 27.6% of the schools had one current infection, 27.6% had between two and five current infections, and 44.8% had no current infections.


09:48 AM

President Macron tests positive for Covid

France's President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for Covid-19, the French presidency has said.

The 42-year-old took a test after symptoms appeared and will now isolate for seven days, a statement from the Elysee Palace said.

Mr Macron "is still in charge" of running the country and will work remotely, said an official.

President Macron - Francois Mori /AP

France this week imposed an overnight curfew to help deal with soaring cases there.

There have been two million confirmed cases in the country since the epidemic began, with more than 59,400 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Read the full story here.


09:32 AM

'No hope' could mean lack of discipline in harsh tier areas, warns MP

Andrew Bridgen, Conservative MP for North West Leicestershire, said: "By the time the tiering system came in on Dec 2, North West Leicestershire would have qualified, had it not been for what was going on in Leicester, for Tier 2.

"The real unfairness is that we were linked to Leicester, the city that was first put into a local lockdown - it's been in, I think, 40 consecutive weeks of lockdown.

"There's no hope for my constituents and we all need hope ... if hope is lost, then I worry if the discipline that has seen us through so far will disappear and then it's going to be a disaster."


09:14 AM

Prof Chris Whitty: coronavirus vaccines don't mean an end to social distancing

Covid-19 vaccines will not yet enable the ending of social distancing, England’s chief medical officer has warned, as he said there will never be “zero risk” from the virus.

Prof Chris Whitty said there would be a “huge surge” in cases among the under-80s if rules were relaxed just because the highest age group had been vaccinated.

While he acknowledged the rollout of the vaccine among the elderly and extremely vulnerable would reduce deaths, Prof Whitty said those just below them in the priority list would remain at risk of getting “seriously ill” and dying.

Read the full story here.


08:53 AM

Don't travel between areas with different tiers over Christmas, warns Home Secretary

Priti Patel has said people who are planning to travel between tiers over Christmas should change their plans.

"We would urge everyone to be conscientious and to make the appropriate plans and the appropriate changes to their plans as well, hence the point about having a smaller and shorter Christmas," she said.

"I think the British public are smart enough to make their own decisions and judgments and they don't want to put themselves at risk, they won't put their friends and families at risk.

"We're urging people not to travel. Why would you travel? If you're in a low tier area, why would you travel into a high tier area? So people will exercise their judgment."


08:37 AM

Oxygen equipment vital for keeping people alive doesn't work as well on black patients, study finds

Oxygen monitoring equipment vital for keeping patients alive in intensive care work less well on black people, a new study has found.

Doctors at the University of Michigan established that the oximeter, which fits to the end of the finger, was three times more likely to give an inaccurate reading of oxygen levels in the blood of black patients compared to white patients.

They say this has critical implications for the safe treatment of severely ill Covid patients, many of whom suffer from low oxygen saturation levels.

Read the full story here.


08:24 AM

Overlooked Covid tests in Wales 'rocks trust'

The 11,000 positive Covid tests being missed in Wales from the past week "raises questions" and "rocks trust", Plaid Cymru health spokesman Rhun ap Iorwerth has said.

"This is a serious bulk of figures being added to the total today and it raises questions about the way data is analysed," he said.

"It raises questions again about the interaction between what is controlled in Wales and the Lighthouse laboratories, and it's one of those things that again sort of rocks trust in what's happening and the data that's presented to us."


08:05 AM

Government may "overcompensate" in tiers review after allowing Christmas mixing, warns Greater Manchester mayor

Andy Burnham said he fears the Government will "overcompensate" in its tiers review after "a mistake" was made in allowing too much mixing over Christmas.

He said there is a "clear case" for parts of Greater Manchester to be moved from Tier 3 to Tier 2 restrictions.

"It's clear a mistake has been made over Christmas. I have to say I did say it at the time, that it was allowing too much. My worry is they're now about to overcompensate with the decisions on the tiers.

"My appeal to the Government is: please look at the evidence, please give us the same fair consideration that was given to London in particular."


07:46 AM

Parents of 10 year old left in coma after Covid-19 infection 'grateful' to have him around at Christmas

The family of a boy who developed a condition after Covid-19 which left him in a coma have said this Christmas will be one they are "much more grateful" to be able to celebrate with him.

Jack Fair spent days in intensive care after his heart began to fail and his vital organs became inflamed.

His parents Tommy and Tracey, both 51, grew concerned when he began giving strange answers to questions and rang NHS24.

It emerged he had been suffering from severe symptoms of a rare Kawasaki-like disease linked to coronavirus - his parents had the virus in October but neither of their young children displayed any symptoms.

Jack Fair - PA

The 10-year-old from Blackridge, West Lothian, was taken to St John's Hospital in Livingston on November 9 so medics could assess him.

He was then taken to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow where medics were forced to put him in an induced coma for five days, with a further seven days in the ward.

Mrs Fair said: "It was going to be a strange Christmas anyway but I think we will all of a sudden be more grateful.

"Christmas will just be something we are more more grateful for."


07:36 AM

Police should take action against "egregious breaches" of coronavirus rules this Christmas, says Home Secretary

Asked about the role of officers over the festive period, Priti Patel said: "Their role is to enforce against the egregious breaches, the raves, the house parties, anything basically that is in breach of the rules that would effectively lead to the spread of the virus."

She said that action should be taken against "egregious breaches only" and was questioned over whether the different guidance and laws for Christmas is not clear enough.

"I don't think that's right," she said.

"We've been living with coronavirus throughout this year. The British public are incredibly sensible in terms of exercising their own judgment."


07:30 AM

140,000 got Covid jab in first week, but Christmas target of 'millions' likely to be missed

Almost 140,000 people have been given a Covid-19 vaccination in the first week of rollout, according to new figures, suggesting that the promise of “millions of people” receiving their first jab by Christmas will not be met. 

Ministers hailed the figures for the first week of the programme as a “good start”. However, the statistics suggest that even if the rollout speeds up significantly, is it unlikely to meet the timescales which have previously been set out.

Developer Pfizer had pledged to deliver five million doses by the end of the year, and last week Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that "by Christmas, several million people will have been vaccinated". 

On Tuesday, England's chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty, said the programme began “with a slow start” so it could be assessed closely.

At the current pace, less than 400,000 people would have received their first jab by Christmas.

Read the full story here.


06:56 AM

'Not enough evidence' to support taking vitamin D to prevent or treat Covid-19

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), Public Health England (PHE), and the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) were asked by Health Secretary Matt Hancock to carry out a rapid review of current evidence after some studies suggested vitamin D may be effective against coronavirus.

But Nice, which led the rapid review, said more research is needed, particularly of high-quality randomised controlled trials.

Current PHE advice states that people should take 10 micrograms (400 IU) of vitamin D every day between October and early March to keep bones and muscles healthy.

PHE also advises those most at risk of not having enough vitamin D - such as people with dark skin or care home residents - take a vitamin D supplement all year round.

Dr Paul Chrisp, director of the centre for guidelines at Nice, said: "While there is insufficient evidence to recommend vitamin D for the prevention or treatment of Covid-19 at this time, we encourage people to follow Government advice on taking the supplement throughout the autumn and winter period.

"As research continues on the impact of vitamin D on Covid-19, we are continuing to monitor evidence as it is published and will review and update the guidance if necessary."


06:51 AM

Vaccine rollout may be delayed as IT system 'failing constantly'

The rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine could be delayed by technical issues, doctors and health officials have warned, after the first week of the vaccination programme was marred by difficulties with data collection.

GP practices have been forced to collect data on the rollout of the Pfizer vaccine by hand, following problems with the software being used to keep track of who has been given the jab.

A care home resident receives the vaccine in Scotland - Russell Cheyne/AFP

A senior health official told Sky News that the IT system, known as Pinnacle, was "failing constantly" and that GPs were "having to record on paper and then transfer".

The official said the problem could help explain why the government has struggled to publish figures on how many people have received the vaccination until Wednesday morning, when vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi tweeted what the Department for Health and Social Care described as "provisional" numbers.


06:44 AM

300% jump in properties marketed as suitable for home working

Rightmove said that between June and October this year, 28% more new properties came to market compared with the same period last year.

Among the new listings, there has been a 326% annual jump in ones mentioning terms such as "office", "workspace" and "working from home" in the property description.

Rightmove's director of property data Tim Bannister said: "With the requirement for many people to work from home, we've seen workspaces evolving from laptops balancing on the end of the bed to fully equipped home offices in the garden shed, and everything in between."

Estate agents have also reported an increase in demand for people looking for outbuildings and annexes where people can set up a home office.

Rightmove said home-hunter searches using its keyword tool to look for outbuildings are up by 90% compared with a year ago. Searches for annexes are up by 89%.


06:40 AM

Computer glitch meant 11,000 positive Covid tests in Wales from past week were not counted in original figures

As cases continue to rise in Wales, the error means the number of positive tests there for the week could be nearly double what was first thought, the BBC has reported.

Currently, recorded figures for the country for the week of December 9-15 stand at 11,911.

But Public Health Wales (PHW) says the 11,000 extra cases were missed because of "planned maintenance" of some IT systems, the BBC says.

A total of 103,098 people have tested positive in Wales since the Covid crisis began, meaning the 11,000 extra positives - which will be added PHW figures on Thursday - will represent roughly one tenth of the new total.


05:45 AM

Tokyo raises highest alert as hospitals struggle

The Japanese capital of Tokyo says the strain on its medical system from the Covid-19 pandemic is severe, raising its alert level to the highest of four stages as the number of cases spiked to a record high.

At a coronavirus monitoring committee meeting attended by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, a health official said it had become difficult to balance the care of COVID-19 patients with regular ones as hospital beds filled up, assigning a "red" alert for medical preparedness for the first time.

The number of positive cases in Tokyo on Thursday surged to a daily record of more than 800, public broadcaster NHK said, surpassing the previous record of 678 reached a day earlier.

People wearing face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus walk under decorations for new year through the alley leading to Asakusa Sensoji Buddhist temple in Tokyo - AP

 


03:53 AM

China welcomes WHO trip to investigate outbreak

The World Health Organisation said on Thursday that China had welcomed an international team of investigators into Covid-19 expected to travel to the country in early January.

Babatunde Olowokure, the WHO's regional emergencies director in the Western Pacific, told a news conference that the organisation was in talks with Beijing over where the investigators would travel to within the country.

On Wednesday, a WHO member and diplomats told Reuters the international mission led by the WHO was expected to go to China in the first week of January to investigate the origins of the virus.

The United States, which has accused China of having hidden the outbreak’s extent, has called for a “transparent” WHO-led investigation and criticised its terms, which allowed Chinese scientists to do the first phase of preliminary research.

The virus is believed to have erupted at a market in Wuhan - REUTERS

02:44 AM

Seoul struggles to get a grip on virus

South Korea reported a record number of coronavirus deaths on Thursday as the country's largest wave of infections strains hospitals and contact tracers.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported that there had been 22 additional deaths as of midnight on Wednesday, sharply up from a previous high of 13 earlier in the week.

Overall the country reported 1,014 new cases of the novel coronavirus, including a daily record of 423 in the densely populated capital city of Seoul.


02:10 AM

US breaks more records

The United States set a grim double record on Wednesday, notching more than 3,700 deaths and over 250,000 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.

The country has seen a spectacular spike in Covid infections for more than a month now, with some 113,000 people currently hospitalised due to the virus, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services.

On Wednesday Joe Biden's team announced that the president-elect will get the coronavirus vaccine as soon as next week as US authorities try to build public confidence in a measure that could curb the deadly pandemic.

Read more: Joe Biden set to get coronavirus vaccine next week

Joe Biden said he wants to show the American public that the vaccine is safe - GETTY IMAGES

02:05 AM

Tiers: the winners and losers

Ministers are on course to clash with local leaders in the North, as more areas look set to enter the harshest tier of coronavirus rules when the tier review is announced today.

But which areas of England could move tiers? 

Going up

Woking is expected to move up from Tier 2 to the highest level, with East and West Sussex and Brighton and Hove also at high risk of going into Tier 3.

Bracknell Forest and Hastings could be going up into Tier 3:

Going down

Weston-super-Mare, and North Somerset are hopeful that their area of the West Country will move down from Tier 3 when assessed ­separately to Bristol. The East Riding of Yorkshire could also see Tier 3 restrictions loosened.

Other ares include Gateshead and Tameside:

Staying put

Greater Manchester looks set to stay in Tier 3 which would come as a blow to Andy ­Burnham, the mayor, who insisted on Wednesday there was a "clear case" for the region to move down a tier.

Read more: Row brewing over tiers as North faces little respite from Covid restrictions


01:59 AM

Today's top stories