Coronavirus Scotland: Some pubs can serve alcohol indoors next week - Daily Mail

Pubs and restaurants in many areas of Scotland will be able to serve alcohol indoors again from next week as Nicola Sturgeon EASES coronavirus curfew restrictions

• The First Minister made a raft of changes to the country's hospitality rules today
• Pubs in Level 3 - currently closed - can open until 6pm but not serve alcohol
• Curfew in the new Level 1 and 2 areas will be extended from 10pm to 10.30pm
• Pubs in Level 2 will also be allowed to serve alcohol indoors again to diners

By David Wilcock, Whitehall Correspondent For Mailonline

Published: 17:17 GMT, 27 October 2020 | Updated: 18:57 GMT, 27 October 2020

How will the new lockdown affect Scotland? 

The First Minister said the Highlands Council area, as well as Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles and Moray, could go straight into Level 1 - the second lowest tier in the new plan.

While this could allow people to meet in other's homes again - six people from two households are permitted to meet indoors in level one areas - Ms Sturgeon said the restriction on indoor gatherings would remain in place 'for a period as an extra precaution' as Scotland transitions to the new system from November 2.

Meanwhile, in Levels 0 and 1, pubs and restaurants could operate more normally, though in Level 1 a 10.30pm curfew would be imposed.

In Level 3 - the level most of central Scotland and Dundee could be placed into - bars and restaurants are not permitted to sell alcohol either indoors or outside, and must close by 6pm.

In Level 4 such premises would be closed, along with non-essential stores, visitor attractions, gyms, libraries and hairdressers.

Level 4 restrictions will only be imposed if 'absolutely necessary as a short, sharp intervention to address extremely high transmission rates,' Ms Sturgeon pledged.

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Nicola Sturgeon relaxed Scotland's coronavirus lockdown rules today, allowing some pubs to serve alcohol indoors again from next week in a boost for the nation's beleaguered pubs.

The First Minister bowed to business pressure to make a raft of changes to the country's hospitality rules as she provided more detail about a new five-tier lockdown due to come into force on Monday.

Pubs in Level 3 which are currently closed by law will be allowed to reopen until 6pm but not serve alcohol, she told the Scottish Parliament, a move which will help those which also serve food.

Additionally, the curfew in the new Level 1 and 2 areas will be extended from 10pm to 10.30pm. Pubs in Level 2 will also be allowed to serve alcohol indoors again, but only to people eating a meal, and before 8pm. 

Under restrictions currently in place, the only place thirsty Scots can drink indoors is at home.

Bars and licensed restaurants in five health board areas - Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley - have been forced to close for all but takeaway services.

Pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes elsewhere in Scotland are only allowed to serve indoor customers between 6am and 6pm with a ban on alcohol inside, although alcoholic drinks can be served until 10pm in outdoor areas. 

The First Minister said: 'For all of Scotland our aim is to get to Level 1 and then to Level 0 of the framework as quickly as it is possible to do.

'We know it is possible because over the summer we got to the very low levels of transmission that would be needed for that. If we can do that once we can do it again, but it will not be easy.'

She urged Scots to 'dig in', saying this could allow people to enjoy some more normality over the festive period. 

The First Minister made a raft of changes to the country's hospitality rules as she provided more detail about a new five-tier lockdown due to come into force on Monday

Heatmap shows which parts of Scotland recorded the highest number of coronavirus cases in the most recent week up to October 25

Glasgow was still the country's hotspot in the week prior, when there were 800 fewer cases overall

Speaking about the restrictions, the First Minister said: 'It is difficult and frustrating, and getting more so by the day, especially as we head towards Christmas.

'If we dig in now and get Covid under more control, we perhaps open the door not to 100 per cent normality by Christmas, but hopefully more than we have right now. We all want to see that.'

The debate at Holyrood took place after Scotland recorded another 25 deaths from coronavirus and 1,327 positive tests in the past 24 hours.

Ms Sturgeon also warned that North and South Lanarkshire -  a vast area between Glasgow and Edinburgh in the central belt,  could be put into the top Level 4 next week.

She told Holyrood ministers wanted to avoid the move unless it was 'absolutely necessary', and said a decision would be delayed to the last minute because virus cases were 'stabilising' in the area.  

In a debate on the new system, Ms Sturgeon said: 'As has been reported, we are considering whether the very high rate of transmission and hospital admissions in North and South Lanarkshire may necessitate a move for them to Level 4. These are the only areas currently being considered for Level 4.

'There have, however, been some encouraging signs in the last few days that the situation in Lanarkshire may have stabilised slightly.

'We will only take this decision if it is deemed absolutely necessary and I hope we can avoid it.'

On Tuesday, the Scottish Government published an updated draft of guidance on what restrictions would be in place under each of the five tiers applied to local authorities.

In Level 4, both indoor and outdoor hospitality businesses would close - including cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars.

However, takeaways for food and alcohol will be permitted.

The guidance also recommends against non-essential travel in or out of Level 4 areas and says there could be 'limits on travel distance, or a requirement to stay at home'.

Non-essential retail would also close in Level 4 areas, with the exception of clock and collect and outdoor retail.    

Last week Ms Sturgeon signalled she was open to reviewing the curfew rules as she faced a barrage of criticism from the hospitality industry.

Outlining the new Level 0 - 4 system live on television on Friday she held out an olive branch to hospitality businesses who blasted the harsh new restrictions, which would place some level of barre on trading at all levels.

She said while she would listen to arguments about trying to keep some pubs and restaurants open at higher tiers but she would not promise to make changes.

A 'circuit breaker' lockdown has already been in force north of the border for a more than a fortnight, with bars and restaurants restricted from serving alcohol and shut altogether in much of the country. It has been extended until November 2, when the new system comes into operation. 

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2020-10-27 17:17:00Z
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Coronavirus: 367 more COVID-19 deaths in UK - highest daily figure since May - Sky News

The UK has recorded 367 more COVID-19 deaths in the latest 24-hour period, official figures show.

It is the highest daily figure since 27 May, when 422 fatalities were reported.

Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world

Yesterday, it was announced 102 people had died within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test.

There have now been a total of 45,365 coronavirus deaths, according to government data.

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A further 22,885 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases have been announced in the latest 24-hour period, taking the total to 917,575.

Monday's number of infections was 20,890.

More from Covid-19

Meanwhile, separate figures from the Office for National Statistics show the number of weekly registered deaths involving coronavirus rose by more than half in seven days.

There were 670 fatalities registered in England and Wales which mentioned "novel coronavirus" in the week ending 16 October, the ONS said.

This is a rise of 53% from the previous week, when 438 deaths involving COVID-19 were registered.

It is the sixth successive rise and the highest number of registered deaths involving coronavirus since the week ending 19 June.

Deaths increased in all regions in England and Wales, and in hospitals, care homes, hospices, private homes and other communal establishments.

Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director of Public Health England, warned the rising number of deaths was likely to "continue for some time".

She said: "We continue to see the trend in deaths rising and it is likely this will continue for some time.

"Each day we see more people testing positive and hospital admissions increasing.

"Being seriously ill enough from the infection to need hospital admission can sadly lead to more COVID-related deaths."

Hopes the population will become immune to COVID-19 have been dashed by new research showing antibodies fall rapidly after recovering from the disease.

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Herd immunity has been proposed by some scientists as a better alternative to lockdowns in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.

It would require around 50-60% of the population to have protection against the virus so it could no longer transmit efficiently.

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2020-10-27 17:03:45Z
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Coronavirus: 367 more COVID-19 deaths in UK - highest daily figure since May - Sky News

The UK has recorded 367 more COVID-19 deaths in the latest 24-hour period, official figures show.

It is the highest daily figure since 27 May, when 422 deaths were reported.

There have now been a total of 45,365 coronavirus deaths, according to government data.

A further 22,885 COVID-19 infections have been announced in the latest 24-hour period, taking the total to 917,575.

Yesterday, it was reported 102 people had died within 28 days of a positive test.

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The number of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infections is a rise on Monday's figure which was 20,890.

Meanwhile, separate figures from the Office for National Statistics show the number of weekly registered deaths involving coronavirus rose by more than half in seven days.

More from Covid-19

There were 670 fatalities registered in England and Wales which mentioned "novel coronavirus" in the week ending 16 October, the ONS said.

This is a rise of 53% from the previous week, when 438 deaths involving COVID-19 were registered.

It is the sixth successive rise and the highest number of registered deaths involving coronavirus since the week ending 19 June.

Deaths increased in all regions in England and Wales, and in hospitals, care homes, hospices, private homes and other communal establishments.

Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director of Public Health England, warned the rising number of dead was likely to "continue for some time".

She said in a statement: "We continue to see the trend in deaths rising and it is likely this will continue for some time.

"Each day we see more people testing positive and hospital admissions increasing.

"Being seriously ill enough from the infection to need hospital admission can sadly lead to more COVID-related deaths."

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2020-10-27 16:30:00Z
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Claire Parry death: PC Timothy Brehmer cleared of murder - BBC News

Claire Parry death: PC Timothy Brehmer cleared of murder

Published

1 hour ago

image copyrightBournemouth Daily Echo

A police officer who strangled his long-term lover after she exposed their affair to his wife has been cleared of murder.

Timothy Brehmer, a constable with Dorset Police, killed nurse Claire Parry, 41, in a pub car park on 9 May.

The two had been having a secret relationship for more than 10 years, a trial at Salisbury Crown Court heard.

Brehmer, 41, of Hordle, Hampshire, had previously admitted manslaughter and said Mrs Parry's death was an accident.

He will be sentenced at the same court on Wednesday.

image copyrightParry family

The trial heard mum-of-two Mrs Parry, who was married to another Dorset Police officer, had become angry after discovering Brehmer had an affair with another woman while she was involved with him.

The defendant told jurors he agreed to meet her outside the Horns Inn in West Parley, Dorset, after she messaged him "relentlessly".

Mrs Parry took his phone to look through his social media messages before sending a text to his wife revealing the affair, the court heard.

Brehmer said he strangled her by accident during a "kerfuffle" in his car.

He said when Mrs Parry refused to leave his car he tried to pull her out before he "bundled" into the vehicle in an attempt to push her.

The defendant said his arm "must have slipped up in all the melee" and that he left the car without realising Mrs Parry was "poorly".

Mrs Parry, from Bournemouth, died in hospital the following day from a brain injury caused by compression of the neck.

image copyrightPA Media

Brehmer told his trial the affair with Mrs Parry had been "a little bubble of niceness" but he had rarely seen her during the coronavirus lockdown.

He said Mrs Parry's husband called him in March after becoming suspicious the two were having an affair and she had sent him messages so they could keep their stories straight.

However, in the days before her death Mrs Parry started to believe that both her marriage and her relationship with Brehmer were coming to an end, the court heard.

She had carried out research into Brehmer using an alias on Facebook and became convinced he had conducted affairs with at least two other women.

Mrs Parry made contact with a police officer called Kate Rhodes, who told her she had an affair with Brehmer in late 2011, and this made her see him "in a very different light".

Ms Rhodes, a detective constable, told the court Brehmer used "grooming" techniques to exert "coercive and controlling behaviour" over women.

She had been mentored by Brehmer when she joined Dorset Police and was in a brief relationship with him which ended when she found out he was married.

She explained to the court how she was contacted on Facebook Messenger by Mrs Parry, who used the name Louisa Morgan, in the days before her death.

Ms Rhodes said they discussed "womaniser" Brehmer, whom she described as "Mr Smooth", and how he had conducted affairs while married.

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2020-10-27 13:20:00Z
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Britain's Covid-19 deaths rise by 55% in a week with 761 victims recorded in latest seven-day spell - Daily Mail

Britain's Covid-19 deaths rose by 55% in a week with 761 victims recorded in latest seven-day spell (but disease was still only to blame for one in 16 fatalities overall)

• Spike in deaths is confirmation Britain's mid-September surge in infections is finally starting to take its toll  
• Office for National Statistics report showed 761 Brits fell victim to the disease in the week ending October 16
• Marks a 55% rise on 474 in the week prior and more than double the 343 in the seven days to October 2

By Connor Boyd Assistant Health Editor For Mailonline

Published: 11:36 GMT, 27 October 2020 | Updated: 13:37 GMT, 27 October 2020

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The number of Britons dying from Covid-19 reached a four-month high last week after they rose by more than 50 per cent in seven days, official data today revealed.  

Office for National Statistics figures showed 761 Britons fell victim to the disease in the week ending October 16, the most recent recording period. It was the deadliest week since the seven-day spell ending June 19, when there were 849 fatalities.

It is confirmation that the mid-September surge in infections felt throughout the country is finally starting to take its toll, with the figure being 55 per cent higher than the 474 people killed by Covid-19 in the week prior and more than double the 343 in the seven days to October 2.  

For comparison, weekly deaths peaked at 9,495 at the height of Britain's outbreak in the week ending April 17 and reached their lowest on September 4, when just 83 people succumbed to the disease. 

Covid-19 patients take about three weeks to fall seriously ill, which explains why the rise in cases late last month only translated into a spike in deaths in the middle of October. 

The ONS now estimates the virus has killed 59,927 people, although its data is 10 days out of date, meaning it is almost guaranteed to have surpassed the grim milestone of 60,000 already.

But to bring the worrying figures into perspective, Covid-19 was still only responsible for one in 16 total deaths in the UK in the most recent week, and flu and pneumonia killed twice as many people.  

And data suggests Britain's outbreak has also started to slow down in the second half of October thanks to tighter restrictions on freedoms nationally and the three-tiered lockdown system in hotspots, which suggests fatalities could start to tail off in the coming weeks. 

Office for National Statistics figures showed 761 Brits fell victim to the disease in the week ending October 16, the most recent recording period. Not since June 19, when there were 849 deaths, have more people lost their lives to the disease in a single week. At that point, the country was still in a national lockdown

To bring the worrying figures into perspective, Covid-19 is only responsible for one in 16 total deaths in the UK every week and flu and pneumonia are killing twice as many people

 More than a third (37 per cent) of England's coronavirus deaths were in the North West, where the bulk of the country's transmissions is happening. The North East recorded 93 Covid-19 fatalities, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber 87, the West Midlands (49) and London (43)

The number of people dying in hospital in England and Wales from any cause is still lower than medics would expect, the data shows. There were 4,346 fatalities in the week ending October 16, which is 184 fewer than the five-year average

HOW UK'S OUTBREAK HAS SLOWED DOWN

Analysis of official data by MailOnline shows weekly Covid-19 cases across the entire UK are currently rising by just 14 per cent, with an average 18,465 cases per day. For comparison, infections were almost doubling every seven-to-eight days in September

Britain's coronavirus outbreak has slowed significantly since the start of the month, suggesting the latest suite of lockdown restrictions are successfully flattening the second curve of the outbreak.   

Infections were almost doubling every seven-to-eight days in September, which sparked widespread fears the country had sleep-walked into a second wave following a lull in transmission over summer when the national lockdown was lifted.   

But analysis of official data by MailOnline shows weekly Covid-19 cases across the entire UK are currently rising by just 14 per cent, with an average 18,465 cases per day.  

Public Health England figures show the seven-day rolling average number of daily cases jumped from 3,676 in the week ending September 18 to 6,301 by September 25 (71 per cent). It rose by a similar rate the following week, climbing to 10,470 by September 29.

But, between October 9 and October 16 - the most recent snapshot - the rolling seven-day average number of cases only crept up by 14 per cent, from 16,196 to 18,465. For comparison, infections grew by 26.6 per cent the week prior. It suggests the rate at which infections are increasing is halving every week. 

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The number of deaths from all causes registered in the UK in the week ending October 16 was 11,928, which was 726 deaths higher than the five-year average — the equivalent of about 7 per cent.

The coronavirus was responsible for about one in 16 total fatalities, compared to little over one in 22 the week prior.

Breaking down the 761 deaths involving Covid-19 across the UK, 622 were in England, 75 in Scotland, 47 in Wales and 17 in Northern Ireland.

More than a third (37 per cent) of England's coronavirus deaths were in the North West, where the bulk of the country's transmissions is happening.

Greater Manchester, Merseyside and swathes of Lancashire and Cheshire have already been forced into Tier Three lockdowns because of spiralling cases in the region.

The North East recorded 93 Covid-19 fatalities, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber 87, the West Midlands (49) and London (43).

The South West — which has largely thwarted off the worst of the crisis thanks to its rural geography — reported the fewest virus victims, at just 18. Covid-19 is a disease that thrives in densely populated areas where it can jump between people in close vicinity. 

The ONS data revealed that, in England and Wales in the most recent week, there were 1,268 deaths attributed to flu or pneumonia, which was almost double the 670 Covid-19 deaths in the two countries.

And flu deaths were actually lower than the five-year average for this time of year (1,678) which experts have said is a byproduct of Covid-19 social distancing rules restricting the virus' spread.

The number of people dying in hospital in England and Wales from any cause was still lower than medics would expect in the most recent week, the data shows. 

There were 4,346 fatalities in the seven days up to  October 16, which is 184 fewer than the five-year average.

Hospital deaths have been lower than average for the last five months, which ONS experts say is because Covid-19 likely sped up the deaths of people who would have died of other causes, meaning the year's fatalities were front-loaded. 

Hospitals are also still scrambling to get services back up and running and cut down record waiting lists after months of operating at a fraction of their capacity, meaning many people are struggling to get appointments, tests and operations.

West Yorkshire may be next to move into Tier Three affecting 1.8million people. If it were to be plunged into Tier Three, it would follow neighbours South Yorkshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester

IS WEST YORKSHIRE NEXT TO BE HIT WITH TIER 3 RESTRICTIONS?

West Yorkshire may become the next part of England to move into the strictest Tier Three lockdown, with council leaders demanding tougher action to curb spiralling coronavirus cases and hospital admissions.

Local officials held crunch talks with senior ministers yesterday to discuss the 'next steps' in tackling Covid-19 in West Yorkshire, with further behind-closed-doors meetings scheduled in the 'coming days'.

The region, home to around 1.8million people living in the boroughs of Leeds, Kirklees, Calderdale, Bradford and Wakefield, is already under Tier Two — which means they are banned from meeting up with friends and family indoors.

But if Number 10 plunges the area into the toughest bracket, it will mean all pubs and bars have to close unless they serve meals. Residents will also be banned from mixing with anyone they don't live with indoors or in private gardens and beer gardens. 

Department of Health statistics show cases are rising across all five areas of West Yorkshire — with almost 9,000 new infections in the week ending October 21. But the Covid-19 outbreak in Leeds appears to have stabilised after soaring at the end of September, according to government statistics.  

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Care home deaths were also below the five-year average for months following the devastation Covid-19 wreaked on the sector during the first wave. 

But there were 2,260 deaths in care homes during the most recent week - 90 more than average - which has been partly caused by a significant rise in Covid-19 cases in the sector.

For the first time since late June, there were more than 100 deaths caused by coronavirus in care homes.

Meanwhile, there were still 776 more deaths in private homes than medics would expect at this time of year, highlighting the negative knock-on effect the pandemic is having on the nation's health.

Overall, 85 per cent of the excess deaths in private homes were of those aged 70 years and over (662 excess deaths). 

Experts say many people are also still too scared to use the NHS for fear of catching Covid-19, while others don't want to be a burden on the health service.  

So far this year, the ONS data shows of deaths involving the coronavirus 63.9 per cent (34,709 deaths) occurred in hospital, with the remainder occurring in care homes (15,819 deaths), private homes (2,594 deaths), hospices (767 deaths), other communal establishments (229 deaths) and elsewhere (207 deaths). 

It comes after data yesterday suggested Britain's coronavirus outbreak has slowed significantly since the start of the month, implying the latest suite of lockdown restrictions are successfully flattening the second curve of the outbreak.

Infections were almost doubling every seven-to-eight days in September, which sparked widespread fears the country had sleep-walked into a second wave following a lull in transmission over summer when the national lockdown was lifted.

But analysis of official data by MailOnline showed weekly Covid-19 cases across the entire UK are currently rising by just 14 per cent, with an average 18,465 cases per day.

Public Health England figures showed the seven-day rolling average number of daily cases jumped from 3,676 in the week ending September 18 to 6,301 by September 25 (71 per cent). It rose by a similar rate the following week, climbing to 10,470 by September 29.

But, between October 9 and October 16 - the most recent snapshot - the rolling seven-day average number of cases only crept up by 14 per cent, from 16,196 to 18,465. For comparison, infections grew by 26.6 per cent the week prior.

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2020-10-27 11:36:00Z
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Free school meals: Holiday clubs idea offers PM way out of row - Sky News

The government will "learn from" a summer holiday clubs programme as it seeks to steer a way through the free school meals row, a minister has told Sky News.

A fresh campaign spearheaded by England footballer Marcus Rashford has heaped pressure on the government over the provision of school holiday meals for the children of struggling families.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged government action to ensure "no children" go hungry this winter, but is still refusing to resurrect a food voucher scheme that ministers were forced to implement in the summer under huge public pressure.

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PM defends govt position on free school meals

This week's half-term holiday has instead seen local councils and organisations - as well as pubs, restaurants and cafes - offer free meals to struggling families.

Business minister Nadhim Zahawi pointed to a separate £9m holiday activities and food programme, that was piloted across 17 local councils over the summer, as a possible future way of addressing concerns over how to feed children during school holidays.

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He told Sky News' Kay Burley: "These are incredibly important pilots, and we will look at how we can learn from those and how we can build on this.

"The best way to do it - as the prime minister quite rightly outlined - is through local government, 17 local authorities participated in that pilot, and of course through the actual welfare system, the Universal Credit system, delivering that additional help for those families."

More from Marcus Rashford

The Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday that the government was looking at proposals for holiday clubs to be extended so children can be given at least one free meal per day outside term time.

The holiday clubs idea is said to be the work of government food tsar Henry Dimbleby, co-founder of the Leon restaurant group, who revealed he had been lobbying ministers to act.

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Headteacher at Rashford's former school 'proud'

Mr Dimbleby, the independent head of the national food strategy, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he hadn't been "backward in coming forward with ideas" for the Treasury, Department for Education and Number 10 over "how they could rapidly implement this by Christmas".

But he added: "The dark centre of government is invisible to me and I have no idea exactly what they're working on as we speak."

Mr Dimbleby said that "in-kind support" through holiday clubs, providing food and education, had been shown to have a better impact than putting the same "small amount of money" into Universal Credit.

He was also critical about the government's current efforts to assist struggling families during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

"This problem is real, it should go without saying it's serious, it's immediate and it's going to get worse as employment gets worse and the government isn't doing enough," Mr Dimbleby added.

"One in seven families already are reporting to not be able to afford enough food."

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Meanwhile, there are reports of a Whitehall blame game between the Treasury and Department for Education over the free schools meal row.

It follows allegations that Chancellor Rishi Sunak blocked proposals to fund free meals, although Treasury sources said no such proposal was made by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson.

Mr Zahawi dismissed the reports of a rift, telling Sky News: "There is absolutely lockstep between the chancellor and the education secretary and the prime minister and this government to make sure we target funding to those families that need it."

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2020-10-27 11:21:31Z
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Coronavirus immunity 'may only last a few months' - Metro.co.uk

Scientists said the research showed immunity was ‘waning quite rapidly’ (Picture: Circle Creative Studio)

Immunity to coronavirus may only last a few months, scientists have warned.

They said a recent study measuring the prevalence of coronavirus antibodies in England showed immunity was ‘waning quite rapidly’, which could lead to an increased risk of reinfection.

Researchers from Imperial College London added it still remains unclear what level of immunity antibodies provide, or for how long this immunity lasts.

Professor Paul Elliott, director of the programme at Imperial, from the school of public health, said: ‘Our study shows that over time there is reduction in the proportion of people testing positive for antibodies against the virus that causes Covid-19.

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‘It remains unclear what level of immunity antibodies provide, or for how long this immunity lasts.

‘If someone tests positive for antibodies, they still need to follow national guidelines including social distancing measures, getting a swab test if they have symptoms and wearing face coverings where required.’

The study, called the Real-Time Assessment of Community Transmission (React-2), found a decline in protective antibodies against the disease, with just 4.4% of adults having some kind of immunity against Covid-19 in September.

This is compared with 6% found to have antibodies between June 20 and July 13, and 4.8% between July 31 and August 31.

Only 4.4% of adults were found to have some kind of immunity against coronavirus in September, compared to a higher percentage in previous months (Picture: Reuters)

It comes as cases have started to rise rapidly again in a second peak of the pandemic.

Graham Cooke, professor of infectious diseases at Imperial, said: ‘The big picture here is that after the first wave [of coronavirus], the great majority of the country still did not have evidence of protective immunity.

‘So although we are seeing a decline in the proportion of people who are testing positive, we still have a great majority of people who are unlikely to have been exposed.

‘So the need for a vaccine is still very large if you want to try and get a large level of protection in the population.’

The study, which took place between late June and September, had three rounds of testing and 365,104 adults took part.

Antibody levels reportedly fell by 26.5% overall during the three-month period.

Scientists have continued to stress the need for a vaccine as soon as possible (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

Those aged 18-24 had the highest prevalence of antibodies and lowest decline in antibody levels at 14.9%.

Meanwhile, people aged 75 and over had the lowest prevalence and saw the largest drop, with antibody levels falling by 39%.

The study also found there was no change in antibody positivity in healthcare workers between June and September.

Helen Ward, professor of public health at Imperial College London, said this could indicate ‘ongoing transmission’ of coronavirus in those settings or ‘repeated exposure’.

‘Even at best, (in the first round of the study) 94% of the population remained not likely protected, and now that has declined to over 95% of the population who don’t have evidence of antibodies,’ she said in relation to herd immunity.

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‘So I think we are a long, long way from any idea that the population will be protected by other people.’

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She added immunity in England was ‘waning quite rapidly’.

In the latest round of the study, between September 15-28, the prevalence of antibodies remained highest in London, and in those of black and Asian ethnicity.

The decline in people testing positive for antibodies was largest in those who did not report having had Covid-19, compared to those who said they had previously tested positive for the virus.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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2020-10-27 07:56:00Z
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