Coronavirus infections have risen in more than 50 towns and cities across England in the last week, according to the latest data. The Public Health England figures for the seven days to February 20 show a worrying 51 local areas have seen a week-on-week rise. That's three times as many as the data from last Wednesday , and comes after Boris Johnson revealed plans to scrap all lockdown restrictions over the summer with the vaccine roll-out ahead of schedule. Despite the optimism of the PM's Monday briefing, chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said this evening "we must all continue to play our part" in controlling the spread of the virus. Scroll down for the full list and to see what the infection rate is in your area A new TV ad campaign urges people to continue following restrictions, with any easing of restrictions - starting on March 8 - reliant on data. Of the 315 local areas in England, the rise amounts to just 16 percent, though is a concern when … [Read more...] about Covid infections up in 51 areas in England as No10 urges everyone to ‘play our part’
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COVID-19: New ad campaign urges people to keep staying at home despite coronavirus transmission rates declining
An advertising blitz has been launched to encourage people to keep staying at home until COVID-19 restrictions can be lifted. The campaign also urges them to continue with mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing. And it appeals to people to understand the importance of remaining in lockdown, despite declining coronavirus transmission rates, the success of the vaccine rollout and the launch of the roadmap out of lockdown . England's stay-at-home order will remain in place until at least 29 March despite the minor easing of restrictions and the return of schools on 8 March. Live COVID updates from UK and around world Advertisement A 30-second TV advert that ends with the phrase "let's keep going" is being shown, and the campaign will also run on radio, advertising billboards and social media. England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said we must "all continue to play our part" in controlling the spread of the … [Read more...] about COVID-19: New ad campaign urges people to keep staying at home despite coronavirus transmission rates declining
COVID-19: One in seven people now have coronavirus antibodies as vaccine rollout continues
One person in seven has antibodies against COVID-19, with the vaccine starting to add to the population's immunity, according to new research. Blood tests on more than 154,000 people across England showed that between 26 January and 8 February, just past the peak of the second wave, 13.9% of the population had antibodies for the coronavirus . Researchers at Imperial College London, who have monitored COVID-19 antibody levels in the population over several months, captured for the first time the impact of vaccination. Over 17,000 of those randomly asked to take part had received at least one dose of vaccine . Results from The REACT study show 88% of people over the age of 80 tested positive for antibodies after two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, rising to 96% of those under the age of 60 and 100% in those aged under 30. Advertisement Older people take longer to develop an immune response, and it tends to be weaker than the young. … [Read more...] about COVID-19: One in seven people now have coronavirus antibodies as vaccine rollout continues
Coronavirus digest: J&J vaccine prevents COVID – US regulator
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine effectively prevents severe coronavirus cases , the United States' top drug regulator said on Wednesday. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcement paves the way for an emergency use authorization for the single-shot vaccine, which an independent committee is set to discuss. "The vaccine was effective in preventing COVID-19 using a less restrictive definition of the disease and for more severe disease, including COVID-19 requiring medical intervention, considering all cases starting 14 days after vaccination," the FDA document said. J&J said last month that its vaccine was 66% effective in preventing COVID-19 moderate to severe infections, including the variants detected in South Africa and Brazil. The one-shot jab could become the third vaccine the FDA approves as the US battles the pandemic that killed more than 500,000 of its residents. Watch video 03:18 COVID-19 death toll: What did the US get so wrong? … [Read more...] about Coronavirus digest: J&J vaccine prevents COVID – US regulator
COVID: Was it premature to open German schools?
One-way arrows on the floors of the corridors, calls over the intercom to maintain distance, smaller class groups: That's the new normal in the corona pandemic for students of the Friedrich-Ebert-Gymnasium in the western German city of Bonn. Those back at school belong to the classes doing state exams this year. They've been back at school for real since Monday, preparing for their graduation or intermediate exams. "We have made quite a few preparations," school principal Frank Langner told DW. Each year has been split up into two groups called cohorts, each with 70 to 75 students. The individual courses have also been spread over two classrooms. There are never more than 15 students in one room. "That way, we can ensure that any infections that happen are limited to one cohort. So we have adapted in-school lessons." Langer said that thanks to the smaller class sizes, distancing and masks, the risk of infection during class was quite low anyway. Watch video 02:24 … [Read more...] about COVID: Was it premature to open German schools?