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17.02.2021 / 18:37

Britain greenlights world’s first trial exposing human volunteers to COVID-19

Britain became the first country in the world on Wednesday to give the go-ahead for human challenge trials in which volunteers will be deliberately exposed to COVID-19 to advance research into the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.The trial, due to start within a month, will see up to 90 healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 30 exposed to the smallest amount of the virus needed to cause infection, scientists behind the plans told reporters at a news briefing.Volunteers will be screened for possible health risks before being allowed to take part, and kept in quarantine for close monitoring by medical staff for at least 14 days in a specialist unit at London’s Royal Free Hospital.

Britain covid-19 UK Coronavirus

U.K. will issue vaccine passports if needed, but won’t use at home

COVID-19 certificates for its residents if they are required by other countries, although it is not planning to introduce them for use at home, vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said on Tuesday.“Internationally, if other countries will require a vaccine certificate, then I think it’s right that we facilitate it,” Zahawi told the BBC in an interview.“We’re not looking at the domestic use of vaccine passports, that’s not in our planning.

Nadhim Zahawi UK Coronavirus

'We want this lockdown to be the last,' says British PM

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he aims to cautiously ease coronavirus restrictions in an "irreversible" manner, but conceded he cannot offer a "cast iron guarantee" that England's third national lockdown will be its last.

Boris Johnson Britain World UK Coronavirus

How the UK rolled out successful mass vaccine programme

Despite stark failures in curbing Covid-19's spread, the UK has scored a notable success with its mass vaccination drive, giving 15 million people a first dose by this weekend.

Margaret Keenan Britain Eu city Oxford World UK Coronavirus

UK administers 15 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine - Johnson

More than 15 million people in Britain most vulnerable to coronavirus have received a first vaccination dose, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said.

Boris Johnson Britain UK Coronavirus

Britain to introduce hotel quarantine from 15 February

The UK has said it would bring in tighter border controls from Monday 15 February to help guard against new variants of Covid-19, requiring hotel quarantine in England for those arriving from the most high-risk countries.

Matt Hancock Britain Ireland UK Coronavirus

UK regulators: Extra AstraZeneca data highlights efficacy in elderly

British regulators have received extra trial data from AstraZeneca that supports their view that the Covid-19 vaccine developed with Oxford University is effective in the elderly, a vaccines official said.

Britain Ireland World UK Coronavirus

Over 10 million people in UK now vaccinated against Covid-19

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that coronavirus infections remain "alarmingly high" and the NHS is still under "huge pressure", despite promising vaccination data.

Boris Johnson Britain UK Coronavirus

Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine protects 12 weeks after single dose - study

The University of Oxford's coronavirus vaccine offers protection of 76% up to 12 weeks after a single dose and may reduce transmission by 67%, according to a new study.

Britain city Oxford World UK Coronavirus

'Mutations of concern' found in Bristol and Liverpool - Hancock

A "mutation of concern" has been detected in the variant of coronavirus first identified in the UK, which scientists have described as "a worrying development".

Matt Hancock Britain county Bristol South Africa UK Coronavirus

British health service hero Captain Tom in hospital with Covid-19

British centenarian Captain Tom Moore, who raised millions of pounds for the NHS by walking laps of his garden in last year's lockdown, has been admitted to hospital after testing positive for Covid-19, his daughter has said.

queen Elizabeth Tom Moore Britain UK Coronavirus

Virus infections in England at highest level since May, study shows

The number of people infected with coronavirus is at the highest level recorded in England since May, according to a study.

city London UK Coronavirus Infections

Johnson 'sorry' as UK virus death toll passes 100,000

The UK could see another 50,000 deaths from coronavirus, a scientist advising the government there has warned, as the British prime minister said he was "deeply sorry" for every life lost.

Boris Johnson Priti Patel Keir Starmer Britain World UK Coronavirus

Johnson to rule on plans for UK quarantine hotels

Boris Johnson is expected to approve plans to force some travellers arriving to the UK to quarantine in hotels to limit the spread of new coronavirus variants.

Boris Johnson Britain Portugal South Africa Brazil World UK Coronavirus

U.K. eyes tougher quarantine rules amid risk of ‘vaccine-busting’ coronavirus variants

Boris Johnson said on Monday he was looking at toughening border quarantine rules because of the risk of “vaccine-busting” new coronavirus variants.New variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 are opening up the prospect of a much longer battle against the pathogen than previously thought. Scientists fear the new variants may be more deadly, and that vaccines may be less effective against them.“We have to realize there is at least the theoretical risk of a new variant that is a vaccine-busting variant coming in — we’ve got to be able to keep that under control,” Johnson told reporters at a vaccination centre.

Boris Johnson Britain UK United Kingdom Coronavirus eyes

£15,000 in fines handed out after illegal London rave

More than £15,000 in fines has been handed out after police shut down an illegal rave attended by more than 300 people in east London.

World UK Coronavirus rave

Britain a 'long, long way' from lifting Covid-19 restrictions

The British Government is a "long, long, long way" from being able to lift coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England, the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, has warned.

Matt Hancock Sophy Ridge Britain World UK Coronavirus

U.K. doctors to ‘urgently review’ 12-week gap between coronavirus vaccine doses

U.K. government should “urgently review” its decision to give people a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine up to 12 weeks after the first, rather than the shorter gap recommended by the manufacturer and the World Health Organization.The U.K., which has Europe’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak, adopted the policy in order to give as many people as possible a first dose of vaccine quickly.

Britain Germany Sweden UK World Health Organization United Kingdom Coronavirus

Evidence that new Covid-19 variant may have higher death rate - Johnson

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said there is some evidence that the new variant of coronavirus first identified in the UK may be linked to a higher death rate.

Tony Holohan Boris Johnson Britain Ireland city London UK Coronavirus

Jewish leaders condemn 400-person London wedding broken up by police

Jewish leaders have condemned a wedding attended by around 400 people at a north London school after it was broken up by police.

county Hill city Stamford, county Hill World UK Coronavirus

Northern Ireland reports highest weekly death toll since pandemic began

Northern Ireland has recorded its highest weekly coronavirus death toll since the pandemic began.

Ireland UK Coronavirus

Covid cases 'may have risen' at start of England lockdown

Experts tracking the spread of Covid-19 in England say infections may have gone up at the beginning of the current lockdown.

city London World UK Coronavirus

British health minister in isolation after close contact alert

Britain's health minister Matt Hancock has said he is self-isolating after coming into close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus.

Matt Hancock Britain World UK Coronavirus

UK govt hopes to consider easing lockdown in March - Raab

The British government hopes it can meet its target for rolling out Covid-19 vaccines and be able to consider easing lockdown restrictions by March, foreign minister Dominic Raab has said.

Dominic Raab Britain UK Coronavirus

UK to close all travel corridors but arrivals from Ireland remain exempt

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered the closure of all travel corridors from Monday to protect the UK against new coronavirus strains, ending the quarantine exemption for arrivals from selected nations.

Boris Johnson Britain Ireland Scotland city Dublin UK Coronavirus

Britain targeting 24/7 vaccine programme - Johnson

Britain is targeting a 24-hour, seven-day a week vaccination programme as soon as possible, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said, as he bids to step up the pace of the rollout and give shots to at-risk groups by mid-February.

Boris Johnson Britain UK Coronavirus

People in UK told not to leave home just to sit outside

Sitting on a park bench for a "short pause" during exercise is reasonable, but leaving the home just to sit in public is unlawful under coronavirus rules, Downing Street has clarified.

Boris Johnson Britain county Drew World UK Coronavirus

Mass vaccination sites to open in England

Vaccinations against coronavirus are to be ramped in England up as mass injection centres open but pleas have been made to the public to stick to the lockdown rules to prevent avoidable deaths.

Chris Whitty Matt Hancock Britain World UK Coronavirus

UK Covid cases surpass 3 million, death toll tops 80,000

The UK has passed the grim milestone of three million cases during the pandemic after the government announced another 59,937 new cases.

Boris Johnson Usa Italy Britain World UK Coronavirus

London mayor declares 'major incident' over Covid-19

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has declared a "major incident" due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus across the city, and the increase in Covid-19 cases in hospitals, which has left the health service at risk of being overwhelmed.

city London UK Coronavirus

Negative Covid test requirement for travellers to England - but Ireland exempt

Travellers to England from international destinations will have to test negative for coronavirus before they can enter the country, the British government has announced.

Grant Shapps Britain Ireland Denmark South Africa UK England Coronavirus

UK patients reject Pfizer vaccine to wait for 'English' jab, warns doctor

A high-profile doctor in northeast England has said patients turned down the chance to have the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, saying they would "wait for the English one".

Paul Williams Britain UK Coronavirus

Almost 1.5 million people given Covid-19 vaccine in UK

Nearly 1.5 million people have now been vaccinated against Covid-19 in the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said, including 1.26 million in England.

Boris Johnson Britain UK Coronavirus

U.K. hospitals struggle as new coronavirus variant takes heavy toll

England’s National Health Service is accustomed to tough winters — and caring for people on overcrowded wards sometimes means moving patients into the corridor. But this is different.

Boris Johnson UK United Kingdom England Coronavirus

England lockdown may not be enough to tackle Covid variant, expert warns

A specialist in infectious diseases has said the new lockdown in England may not be enough to tackle the new coronavirus variant.

College London Andrew Hayward World UK

Ontario reports 3 more cases of coronavirus variant believed to be more contagious

coronavirus variant, bringing the total number of known cases in the province to six.Dr. Barbara Yaffe said Monday that all of the new cases are linked to travel.Yaffe said the first involves a resident of York Region with a recent travel history to the U.K., while the second is a resident of Peel Region who doesn’t have a travel history but was a close contact of a person who travelled to Dubai and tested positive for the coronavirus.

Barbara Yaffe Canada city Dubai city Ottawa county York covid-19 UK Coronavirus

Scottish MP Margaret Ferrier charged over alleged Covid-19 breach

British MP Margaret Ferrier has been arrested and charged after an alleged breach of coronavirus rules.

Margaret Ferrier Britain Scotland World UK Coronavirus

Millions under toughest restrictions in England as hospitals struggle

Millions of people across England are ending the year under the toughest coronavirus restrictions, as the virus continues to spread and hospitals struggle with high numbers of Covid-19 patients.

Stephen Powis Britain World UK Coronavirus

School reopening announcement due in England amid rising concerns over Covid

An announcement on the return of schools in England after the Christmas break is due to be made, amid rising coronavirus case rates and hospital admissions.

Gavin Williamson Matt Hancock Britain World UK Coronavirus

Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine approved in UK

A Covid-19 vaccine from Oxford University and AstraZeneca has been approved for use in the UK, paving the way for mass rollout.

Britain city Oxford World UK Coronavirus

Britain becomes 1st country to approve Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine

Britain on Wednesday became the first country in the world to approve a coronavirus vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca as it battles a major winter surge driven by a new, highly contagious variant of the virus.“The government has today accepted the recommendation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to authorise Oxford University/AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine for use,” the health ministry said.

China city Wuhan, China Britain UK Coronavirus

British tourists sneak out of Swiss ski resort to avoid quarantine

Hundreds of British tourists forced into quarantine in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier fled in the night rather than seeing their holidays go downhill, the local municipality has said.

Switzerland Britain World UK Coronavirus

Thousands of lorry drivers still stranded in Dover

Thousands of international lorry drivers look set to spend Christmas Day cooped up in their cabs at the English Channel border as slow progress was made to return hauliers home to their loved ones.

Grant Shapps Christmas Eve Britain France county Kent city Dover World UK Coronavirus

Parts of UK report sharp rise in positive Covid-19 tests

Positive cases of Covid-19 are increasing sharply in parts of the UK, with around one in 60 people now testing positive in Wales and one in 85 in England, figures suggest.

Britain World UK Coronavirus

1,000s of lorry drivers set to spend Christmas stranded on UK roads

Thousands of lorry drivers are likely to spend Christmas stranded in Kent as the UK government has indicated queues will not start to move for at least another 24 hours.

Grant Shapps Britain France Eu county Kent UK Coronavirus

Further coronavirus variant identified in UK as new measures announced

Millions more people in England will face escalated Covid-19 lockdown measures from St Stephens Day, as ministers acknowledged mounting concern about the spread of coronavirus.

Matt Hancock Britain South Africa county Norfolk county Suffolk World UK Coronavirus

Sturgeon apology over breach of face mask rule

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has apologised after she breached Covid rules by taking off her face mask at a funeral wake.

Nicola Sturgeon Scotland UK Coronavirus

Britain cut off from Europe, other countries over new coronavirus strain

Britain backed up for miles and people were left stranded at airports Monday as dozens of countries around the world slapped tough travel restrictions on the U.K. because of a new and seemingly more contagious strain of the coronavirus in England.From Canada to India, one nation after another banned flights from Britain, while France barred the entry of trucks from Britain for 48 hours while the strain is assessed.

India Britain France Canada UK England Coronavirus

United States	Cases: 46 252 513 Deaths: 750 423 Recovered: 0
India	Cases: 34 321 025 Deaths: 459 652 Recovered: 0
Brazil	Cases: 21 835 785 Deaths: 608 235 Recovered: 0
United Kingdom	Cases: 9 215 683 Deaths: 141 607 Recovered: 0
Russia	Cases: 8 494 589 Deaths: 237 619 Recovered: 0