Babak Belurs

Sabtu, 09 Januari 2021

COVID-19: More fines expected for lockdown breaches as home secretary warns of tighter enforcement - Sky News

"Strong enforcement" of coronavirus restrictions is needed to control the spread of the disease, the home secretary has warned.

Priti Patel said police forces should focus their resources on people who "are clearly breaking" lockdown rules to "safeguard our country's recovery from this deadly virus".

Government sources have told Sky News this will mean that "more fines will be issued, and quicker".

As UK coronavirus deaths surpassed 80,000 after a fourth consecutive daily increase of more than 1,000, the home secretary said: "Enforcing these rules saves lives. It is as simple as that. Officers will continue to engage with the public across the country and will not hesitate to take action when necessary."

It comes as Sky News analysis shows that people are moving about more during this lockdown than the first, suggesting people have become used to bending the rules.

Ms Patel's intervention is part of a coordinated government effort to improve public compliance and ensure further restrictions are not necessary.

It includes a major new public awareness campaign urging people to behave like they are infected with coronavirus.

Doctors have also pleaded with people to comply with the restrictions in the face of mounting pressure on hospitals, warning that staff are at their limits.

One leading medic has told Sky News the NHS was "breaking in front of us", warning that hospitals may soon be too short of staff to keep their patients safe.

Dr Zudin Puthucheary, council member of the Intensive Care Society and a critical care consultant, said that he was "scared and angry" and urged people to stay at home.

However, police enforcement measures during the first week of England's latest lockdown have also come under scrutiny after two women were fined £200 each for travelling separately to a Derbyshire beauty spot for a walk, about five miles from their homes.

Derbyshire Police has said it will review the fines and local MP Andrew Bridgen told Sky News: "It is important that police forces implement the rues correctly, otherwise that makes a mockery of the rules themselves."

Elsewhere, the Metropolitan Police said it had fined the owners of a London gym £1,000 for breaching lockdown rules by remaining open.

Officers were called to the fitness centre on Stean Street in Hackney to find it open, with three people inside.

Norfolk Police said it had also issued a fine - to a man and a woman who drove more than 120 miles to look at a seal colony - while North Wales Police said its officers had dealt with people breaching coronavirus rules at Moel Famau in Flintshire.

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2021-01-09 22:22:22Z
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Covid doctors in packed London hospitals ‘forced to choose who gets critical care’ as they prioritise young pe - The Sun

DOCTORS in packed London hospitals are being forced to choose who gets critical care and prioritising younger patients, according to reports.

Medics in the capital said a shortage of beds meant hospitals were implementing emergency guidelines - amid fears the NHS is reaching a point where it “simply won’t be able to cope”.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

A nurse works on a patient in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) in St George's Hospital in Tooting, south-west LondonCredit: PA:Press Association

Doctors are reportedly “triaging” patients for critical care, with younger patients in the queue ahead of elderly patients - who are more likely to die from the virus.

Dr Katharina Hauck, from the faculty of medicine at Imperial College London, told the Daily Mail: “Hospitals in London are overwhelmed, which is a dangerous situation for all patients requiring urgent care...

“Sadly, some hospitals are now forced to follow ... emergency triage of all patients requiring critical care.

“Applying this guidance effectively means that patients under the age of 65 who are not frail will be prioritised over elderly and frailer patients for critical care.

“Frail patients would be cared for in general wards with less intensive care.”

Hospitals in the capital have come under immense pressure as a highly contagious variant of coronavirus rips through the South East, forcing Boris Johnson to impose a third national lockdown.

London mayor Sadiq Khan yesterday declared a major incident in the capital as cases continue to skyrocket.

A major incident means services can't operate as normal and are placed in an emergency situation. However it is not clear how exactly this would impact care for non-Covid patients.

He said the NHS is "on the cusp of being overwhelmed" with more than 7,000 Covid patients in London hospitals — almost 2,000 more than the first peak last April.

The numbers of people on ventilators has almost doubled since Christmas day - with 47 per cent more patients in intensive care, the Mayor said.

It comes after staff at University College Hospital in London said they were being forced to choose between patients - with an increasing number of younger patients entering ICU with the bug.

Deputy sister at University College Hospital Ashleigh Shillingford told the BBC: "We are so stretched we have to prioritise, and prioritising care is not the NHS I grew up in. We shouldn’t have to choose what patient gets what care first."

Ambulances queue outside the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, East London on January 5Credit: Getty Images - Getty

And there are fears that the capital may still be two weeks away from the peak - with hospitals potentially left short of 5,500 beds needed to cope with the explosion in cases.

A leaked NHS briefing from Dr Vin Diwakar, the Regional Medical Director for the NHS in London, warned that the capital’s hospitals face a shortfall of between 1,932 and 5,422 beds by January 19.

The briefing, seen by the Health Service Journal, says that under the “best” case scenario the capital will be short of 417 critical care beds. The “worst” case scenario could see hospitals have 945 too few beds.

According to the HSJ, some of the plans explored in the briefing include cancelling more elective work or sending those patients to other regions or private providers.

But Dr Diwakar yesterday denied claims that patients were being “triaged” in hard-hit hospitals.

He told the Mail: “The NHS has repeatedly instructed staff that no patient who could benefit from treatment should be denied it and, thanks to this surge capacity and by hospitals working together across the capital, that has not happened.”

It comes as the UK suffered its darkest day yet in the pandemic yesterday, with a record 1,325 fatalities and 68,053 cases.

Ministers fear that Brits are not obeying the rules in the same way as the first lockdown of March last year, which saw a high level of public compliance.

Experts today labelled the lockdown “too lax” amid fears that the infection rate would remain high if Brits continue to flout the rules.

Susan Michie, professor of health psychology at University College London, told BBC Radio 4's Today: "It is definitely too lax, because if you think about it and compare ourselves with March, what do we have now?

"We have the winter season and the virus survives longer in the cold, plus people spend more time indoors and we know aerosol transmission, which happens indoors, is a very big source of transmission for this virus.

“And secondly we have this new variant which is 50-70% more infectious. You put those two things together, alongside the NHS being in crisis, we should have a stricter rather than less strict lockdown than we had back in March.”

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson today pleaded with Brits to stay at home, saying: “I know the last year has taken its toll — but your compliance is now more vital than ever.”

And Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical officer, has fronted a new TV campaign warning that “if you go out people will die”.

But in a positive step, Britain yesterday approved a third Covid vaccine in a boost to efforts to beat the pandemic.

UK regulators have now recommended the use of the Moderna jab - which is 94 per cent effective in preventing coronavirus.

UK Covid deaths pass 80,000 and cases exceed 3 MILLION as another 1,035 die and 59,937 more test positive

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2021-01-09 20:40:00Z
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UK coronavirus deaths surpass 80000 and total cases top 3000000 | ITV News - ITV News

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2021-01-09 16:31:00Z
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COVID-19: Queen and Philip's first jabs confirmed in rare announcement 'to prevent inaccuracies' - Sky News

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have received coronavirus vaccinations, Buckingham Palace has said.

The couple got the first doses of their COVID-19 jabs on Saturday, according to a spokesperson, in a rare announcement commenting on the royals' private health matters.

It is understood the Queen decided the information should be made public to prevent inaccuracies and further speculation.

Live COVID-19 updates from the UK and around the world

A royal source confirmed the injections were administered by a royal household doctor at Windsor Castle.

The Queen, 94, and Philip, 99, have been spending the lockdown in England sheltering there after deciding to have a quiet Christmas at their Berkshire residence, forgoing the traditional royal family gathering at Sandringham.

They join more than a million people who have received the jab so far.

Sky News royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills said it was "an incredibly unusual" move by the Palace to make the news public.

"Ever since we found out that COVID-19 vaccines were going to be rolled out across the UK there's been speculation about if and when the Queen and Prince Philip would have it - after all, because of their age and not just their positions, they were at the top of the list," she said.

"The Palace has consistently said that this was a private matter for the 94-year-old monarch and her 99-year-old consort, very much in line with how they would usually deal with anything to do with their health."

It was the Queen who decided that she wanted to announce the news, Mills said, which is "hugely significant". It is likely to have the effect of giving sceptical members of the public more confidence in the vaccine.

In the US, key public figures have been photographed while being inoculated, with president-elect Joe Biden appearing on live television when he received a dose in December.

"The public service message that it sends out will no doubt delight those in Number 10 and the health service who want to promote that having the vaccine is safe," Mills said.

"The royals in the past have set a powerful example when it comes to medical breakthroughs. Queen Victoria used chloroform as an anaesthetic during childbirth, and Queen Elizabeth II broke protocol when she made it public that Prince Charles and Princess Anne had been given the polio vaccine in 1957.

"Today's announcement is a PR dream, the monarch and her husband showing they believe in the vaccine and it's the right thing to do; once again setting an example to the rest of the country as the Queen and her family have tried to do right throughout the pandemic."

The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge both contracted coronavirus during the first wave of the pandemic.

Charles was described as having mild symptoms and lost his sense of taste and smell for a period, while it was reported his son William was hit "pretty hard" by the virus.

On a visit to a vaccination centre at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital before Christmas, Charles said he is "way down the list" for an inoculation.

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On Friday, a third coronavirus vaccine was approved for use in the UK. The latest jab, from US biotech firm Moderna, has been given the green light by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - joining the vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca, which are already being used here.

It is not known which vaccine the Queen and duke were given but it is likely they will receive their second dose up to 12 weeks from the first.

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2021-01-09 16:30:00Z
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Experts call for ‘too lax’ Covid lockdown to be made TOUGHER as surge is ‘going to get worse’ - The Sun

EXPERTS have today labelled the Covid lockdown "too lax" - even calling for the measures to be made TOUGHER amid fears the bug could continue to spread.

Brits have been told to stay at home with non-essential shops forced to close and families unable to see each other under the current restrictions - which could last until the end of March.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

Police patrol the streets amid the coronavirus lockdownCredit: London News Pictures

But as the bug continues to spread - with more than 79,000 deaths so far recorded and 68,000 cases reported in just one day - experts have flagged concerns the lockdown is still not enough to stop the deadly bug.

And some have even described the new Covid strain - which is more than 50% more infectious - as a "pandemic within a pandemic".

Susan Michie, professor of health psychology at University College London, said the current lockdown was "too lax" to stop the bug from spreading.

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) member told BBC Radio 4's Today: "It is definitely too lax, because if you think about it and compare ourselves with March, what do we have now?

"And secondly we have this new variant which is 50-70% more infectious. You put those two things together, alongside the NHS being in crisis, we should have a stricter rather than less strict lockdown than we had back in March."

She said that while 90 per cent of the population were following the rules, there was still house to house contact due to keyworkers.

Boris Johnson announced the nationwide lockdown this week - with the impact of the measures yet to filter through.

The government has launched a campaign urging Brits to "act like you've got it" - with Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty joining the plea.

In the ad, he begs: "“Vaccines give clear hope for the future, but for now we must all stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.”

But Dr Justin Varney, director of public health at Birmingham City Council, said he was "very worried" about another surge - with the impact of Christmas yet to be seen.

He said: "We still haven't seen the impact in the NHS of the rapid rise that we saw around December 28-29 after the Christmas bubble and after we started to see the new variant arriving in the region.

"It is going to get a lot, lot worse unless we really get this under control but some of that is already baked into the system and it is going to play out over the next week or two."

Brits have been urged to stay at home to protect the NHSCredit: HM Government

Chris Whitty has been part of the campaign asking Brits to stay at homeCredit: PA:Press Association

Police speak to a man at St James' park as he sits on a benchCredit: London News Pictures

Cops are seen patrolling Hyde ParkCredit: London News Pictures

People can still go out to exercise once a dayCredit: London News Pictures

Hospitals are continuing to be hit by the bugCredit: Mercury Press

Professor Robert West, a participant in the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (SPI-B), also warned the current lockdown rules are "still allowing a lot of activity which is spreading the virus".

Asked if he thinks they should change, he told BBC News: "Yes, I do. Not just me. I think probably most of the people I talk to, epidemiologists, and medical scientists and virologists."

And Dr Simon Walsh, deputy chair of the British Medical Association's consultants committee warned things are likely to get worse before they get better for hospitals.

He told BBC Breakfast: "I'm afraid all of us who are working on the front line believe, and this is based on the evidence I'm afraid, that it is going to get worse before it gets better."

He said critical care was having to be spread "more and more thinly", with as many as three patients per intensive care nurse, rather than the usual standard of one-to-one care.

And while vaccines are starting to be rolled out to the most vulnerable, Boris has warned Brits that it's not over yet.

It is going to get a lot, lot worse
Dr Justin VarneyDirector of public health at Birmingham City Council

Dr Adam Kucharski, an epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said the new coronavirus variant should be treated as a "new pandemic within a pandemic".

Cops have promised to take a tougher approach to those flouting restrictions amid reports that officers will fine Brits the first time they are caught without a face mask or leave home without a reasonable excuse.

Under the measures, rule breakers will be hit with a £200 fine for a first offence which will then double to £400 for a second.

The penalties could continue to double to as much as £6,400 if Brits continue to ignore life-saving restrictions.

The Metropolitan Police has said that officers would still attempt to “engage, explain and encourage” Brits before enforcing the rules - but warned they would issue fines more quickly.

They added that “those not wearing masks where they should be and without good reason can expect to be fined - not reasoned with”.

It comes as government ministers are considering even tougher measures including making face masks compulsory in busy outdoor areas.

London mayor Sadiq Khan has called for face coverings to be worn outside the home as he declared a major incident in the capital.

Friends in face masks walk outsideCredit: London News Pictures

The lockdown could last until MarchCredit: London News Pictures

A patient is rushed to hospital as cases increaseCredit: London News Pictures

Vaccinations will help the UK get out of the lockdown - but we must be patient for now, Boris Johnson has said

Boris Johnson vows everyone in UK will be within 10 miles of Covid vaccination centre with 1,200 sites open by next week

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2021-01-09 12:35:00Z
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COVID-19: Queen and Duke of Edinburgh receive first doses of their coronavirus vaccinations - Sky News

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have received coronavirus vaccinations, Buckingham Palace has said.

The couple got the first doses of their COVID-19 jabs on Saturday, according to a spokesperson, in a rare announcement commenting on the royals' private health matters.

It is understood the Queen decided the information should be made public to prevent inaccuracies and further speculation.

A royal source confirmed the injections were administered by a royal household doctor at Windsor Castle.

They join more than a million people who have received the jab so far.

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Covid-19: Hackney gym owners fined for breaching rules - BBC News

The owners of a London gym have been fined for breaching Covid-19 rules by remaining open during lockdown.

Police were called to the fitness centre in Stean Street, Hackney, on Friday to reports of a regulation breach.

Three people were found inside the gym at 09:30 GMT. The owners were given a £1,000 fixed penalty notice.

It comes as a "major incident" was declared as the spread of Covid-19 threatens to "overwhelm" its hospitals.

City Hall said Covid-19 cases in London had exceeded 1,000 per 100,000, while there are 35% more people in hospital with the virus than in the peak of the pandemic in April.

NHS England figures published on Friday showed the number of Covid patients in London hospitals stands at 7,277, up 32% on the previous week.

Chart showing the number of coronavirus hospital patients in London

Ch Insp Pete Shaw said: "Whilst there are certain rules around people being allowed to exercise in public under this lockdown, nowhere in the legislation does it allow people to go to gyms to work out.

"Those found to be flouting the rules, as with this instance, should expect necessary enforcement action to be taken against them."

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2021-01-09 11:06:00Z
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Sabtu, 09 Januari 2021

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