Babak Belurs

Rabu, 13 Januari 2021

Covid-19: We can make this the peak by following rules, says Hancock - BBC News

"We can make this the peak" of the coronavirus pandemic "if enough people follow the rules", Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said.

He told BBC Breakfast it was "those individual decisions" that determine the virus's spread and it "comes down to the behaviour of everyone".

People "shouldn't take the mickey out of the rules," he said.

Under the national lockdown, people in England must stay at home and only go out for limited reasons.

This includes for food shopping, exercise, or work if they cannot do so from home. Similar measures are in place across much of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Latest figures show there are now more than 35,000 people in hospital with Covid - an increase on the spring peak.

It comes as Boris Johnson is set to be questioned by MPs on the vaccine rollout later and vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi will also be questioned by the Commons science and technology committee.

Meanwhile, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is also due to announce whether there will be any changes to lockdown restrictions later. Ministers have been discussing the possibility of tightening the current restrictions.

When asked on BBC Breakfast if this was the peak of this wave of the pandemic, Mr Hancock replied: "I want it to be, but that comes down to the behaviour of everyone.

"Together we can make this the peak if enough people follow the rules which are incredibly clear."

On the news that patients at a hospital in London are to be discharged early and sent to a hotel to help free up beds for critically ill coronavirus patients, Mr Hancock said moving patients to hotels "isn't something we are actively putting in place".

King's College Hospital said it would help to create space for the "high numbers" of new admissions and would "temporarily accommodate mainly homeless patients who are ready to safely leave hospital and will benefit from further support from community partners".

Banner image reading 'more about coronavirus'

LOOK-UP TOOL: How many cases in your area?
YOUR QUESTIONS: We answer your queries
GLOBAL SPREAD: How many worldwide cases are there?
THE R NUMBER: What it means and why it matters

Asked about images of elite footballers celebrating goals with hugs, Mr Hancock said: "I think elite sport is important because these are tough times, and being able to watch the football on the telly is really important because there's loads of things that you can't do."

He said the Premier League has "special arrangements to ensure that players are safe" as well as a testing regime.

Vaccine supply 'will increase'

The health secretary told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine will accelerate over the coming weeks, saying they were "on track" to deliver it to 14 million people by mid-February.

More than 2.4 million people have now had a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 412,167 people have had a second dose. Mr Hancock said 40% of the 3.4m people over 80 in England had been vaccinated so far.

"We have the capacity to get that vaccine out. The challenge is that we need to get the vaccine in," Mr Hancock said.

"What I know is that the supply will increase over the next few weeks and that means the very rapid rate that we are going at at the moment will continue to accelerate over the next couple of weeks."

On Tuesday, NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson said it was "pretty clear" that because of the new strain the Covid-19 infection rate was not going to go down as quickly as it did during the first wave.

"It now looks like the peak for NHS demand may actually be in February," he said.

RADIO 1'S WORKOUT ANTHEMS: 24 energising songs to keep you motivated
BAD PEOPLE: Charles Sobhraj is a convicted killer and the inspiration for the BBC drama, The Serpent. What made him commit such crimes?

In other developments:

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said he is "left with little choice" but to ask the government to tighten measures as London's coronavirus cases "are worse than in March, yet our restrictions are looser"
A large-scale trial of a new treatment it is hoped will help stop Covid-19 patients from developing severe illness has begun in the UK
Many hospital staff treating the sickest patients during the first wave of the pandemic were left traumatised by the experience, a study suggests
Customs operators have pleaded with the government to prioritise vaccinations for staff they insist are key front-line workers, while parents of children with disabilities are also calling for teachers in special schools to be vaccinated against Covid-19
Supermarket chain Asda says it will be the first to open an in-store Covid vaccination centre, having been chosen by NHS England to operate one. An in-store pharmacy in Birmingham will administer vaccines from 25 January
A coronavirus vaccine developed by China's Sinovac has been found to be 50.4% effective in Brazilian clinical trials, according to the latest results released by researchers.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiJmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLTU1NjQ0MTU30gEqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLTU1NjQ0MTU3?oc=5

2021-01-13 09:30:00Z
52781301631457

COVID-19: NHS eyeing plans to move hospital patients into hotels, as Hancock says end of restrictions 'impossible to know' - Sky News

The NHS is considering plans to discharge patients into hotels as hospitals become swamped with COVID patients, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed - as he said it was "impossible to know" how long lockdown restrictions might last.

Mr Hancock told Sky News that the government would "look at all options" to relieve pressures on the NHS, with more than 35,000 coronavirus patients currently in hospitals across the UK.

Live COVID updates from UK and around the world

"There are huge pressures on the NHS and, as you'd expect, we're looking to all different ways that we can relieve those pressures," he said.

The health secretary said the NHS Nightingale Hospital in London had begun taking patients as "back-up", but that ministers had alternative plans "in case there's more that's needed".

Asked about reports thousands of NHS patients could be discharged early from hospitals to hotels or their own homes to free up beds, Mr Hancock said: "We'd ony ever do that if it was clinically the right thing for somebody.

"But in some cases, people need step-down care, they don't actually need to be in a hospital bed.

"We work very closely with the social care sector to make sure that capacity is available. But we look at all options.

"So this isn't a concrete proposal by any means, but it's something we look at, because we look at all contingencies."

Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

Some Conservative MPs are putting pressure on ministers to begin easing England's third national lockdown from 8 March.

But the health secretary said it was "impossible to know" how long the restrictions might have to be in place for.

"We will keep the restrictions in place not a moment longer than they are necessary, but we will keep them in place as long as they're necessary," Mr Hancock said.

The government is aiming to offer 15 million of the most vulnerable people a first dose of a COVID vaccine by 15 February, with the health secretary saying the vaccination programme is "on track" to meet that deadline.

More than 2.8 million coronavirus jabs have so far been given to more than 2.4 million people across the UK.

Asda announced on Wednesday it will begin providing vaccinations from an in-store pharmacy in Birmingham in the last week of January.

Mr Hancock said: "The measures that we've got in place, that we hope to be able to lift, that we should be able to lift when we've been able to protect through vaccination those who are vulnerable."

But he added that "right now, the vaccine is not yet in a position to do that".

Mark Harper, the chair of the COVID Recovery Group of Conservative backbenchers, has suggested that from 8 March - giving three weeks for those 15 million of the most vulnerable to develop significant immunity to coronavirus - the government should begin to lift "severe" restrictions.

But, asked about that timescale being proposed by Tory MPs, Mr Hancock replied: "Well, great. But I'm the health secretary."

Professor Anthony Harnden, deputy chairman of the government's advisory Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, told Sky News that COVID measures will be needed "for a while yet".

"We must be very clear that vaccination will prevent disease in individuals but it may not prevent those individuals from transmission to others," he said.

"So, even though you've been vaccinated, you might not be completely protected yourself, you may be in risk of transmitting to others, so I think we will have to use extra precautions in terms of social distancing, wearing masks, for a while yet."

He added: "There is light at the end of the tunnel and certainly by the beginning of March we should see a sharp drop off in hospitalisations and deaths."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMimgFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9jb3ZpZC0xOS1uaHMtZXllaW5nLXBsYW5zLXRvLW1vdmUtaG9zcGl0YWwtcGF0aWVudHMtaW50by1ob3RlbHMtYXMtaGFuY29jay1zYXlzLWVuZC1vZi1yZXN0cmljdGlvbnMtaW1wb3NzaWJsZS10by1rbm93LTEyMTg2NTM40gGeAWh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2FtcC9jb3ZpZC0xOS1uaHMtZXllaW5nLXBsYW5zLXRvLW1vdmUtaG9zcGl0YWwtcGF0aWVudHMtaW50by1ob3RlbHMtYXMtaGFuY29jay1zYXlzLWVuZC1vZi1yZXN0cmljdGlvbnMtaW1wb3NzaWJsZS10by1rbm93LTEyMTg2NTM4?oc=5

2021-01-13 08:24:25Z
52781301631457

COVID-19: NHS eyeing plans to move hospital patients into hotels, as Hancock says end of restrictions 'impossible to know' - Sky News

Mr Hancock told Sky News that the government would "look at all options" to relieve pressures on the NHS, with more than 35,000 coronavirus patients currently in hospitals across the UK.

Live COVID updates from UK and around the world

"There are huge pressures on the NHS and, as you'd expect, we're looking to all different ways that we can relieve those pressures," he said.

The health secretary said the NHS Nightingale Hospital in London had begun taking patients as "back-up", but that ministers had alternative plans "in case there's more that's needed".

"But in some cases, people need step-down care, they don't actually need to be in a hospital bed.

"We work very closely with the social care sector to make sure that capacity is available. But we look at all options.

"So this isn't a concrete proposal by any means, but it's something we look at, because we look at all contingencies."

Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

Some Conservative MPs are putting pressure on ministers to begin easing England's third national lockdown from 8 March.

But the health secretary said it was "impossible to know" how long the restrictions might have to be in place for.

"We will keep the restrictions in place not a moment longer than they are necessary, but we will keep them in place as long as they're necessary," Mr Hancock said.

More than 2.8 million coronavirus jabs have so far been given to more than 2.4 million people across the UK.

"The measures that we've got in place, that we hope to be able to lift, that we should be able to lift when we've been able to protect through vaccination those who are vulnerable," Mr Hancock said.

But he added that "right now, the vaccine is not yet in a position to do that".

But, asked about that timescale being proposed by Tory MPs, Mr Hancock replied: "Well, great. But I'm the health secretary."

Professor Anthony Harnden, deputy chairman of the government's advisory Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, told Sky News that COVID measures will be needed "for a while yet".

"We must be very clear that vaccination will prevent disease in individuals but it may not prevent those individuals from transmission to others," he said.

He added: "There is light at the end of the tunnel and certainly by the beginning of March we should see a sharp drop off in hospitalisations and deaths."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Selasa, 12 Januari 2021

Police warn of tougher action to enforce lockdown rules in England - BBC News - BBC News

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiK2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnlvdXR1YmUuY29tL3dhdGNoP3Y9eFphOVh2RERKdzDSAQA?oc=5

2021-01-12 22:25:19Z
52781299479770

Brexit: Supermarkets says 'urgent intervention' needed over NI food supplies - BBC News

Many items were missing from the fresh food aisle at this Sainsbury's in Belfast on Monday

The UK's major supermarkets have warned the government that an "urgent intervention" is needed to prevent further disruption to NI food supplies.

There have been shortages of some products in NI as retailers grapple with post-Brexit arrangements for importing food products from GB.

The chief executives of Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Iceland, Co-Op and Marks & Spencer have written to Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove.

They said that if further new certification requirements are introduced in April the system will become "unworkable".

The government said a new dedicated team has already been set up and will be working with supermarkets, the food industry and the Northern Ireland Executive to develop ways to streamline the movement of goods.

Since 31 December Northern Ireland has remained a part of the EU's single market for goods while the rest of the UK has left.

That means food products entering NI from GB need to be professionally certified and are subject to new checks and controls at ports.

A three month "grace period" means that supermarkets currently don't need to comply with all the EU's usual certification requirements.

However, the movement of food products from GB to NI has faced disruption.

M&S has temporarily reduced its range of food products and Sainsbury's has been sourcing Spar-branded products from a NI wholesaler.

In their letter, the supermarket chief executives said that if the grace period expires without a long term solution the problems will get worse.

Empty shelves at Belfast Marks and Spencer on Monday

They said: "We accept clear progress needs to be made by 1/4/21 and are happy to discuss our issues and solutions directly with EU officials.

"However, until then we need an assurance that the current process based on a trusted trader scheme... doesn't change until a workable replacement is agreed."

A government spokesman said: "The grace period for supermarkets and their suppliers is working well, goods continue to flow effectively between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and we are working intensively with industry as new requirements come in."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiN2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLW5vcnRoZXJuLWlyZWxhbmQtNTU2NDE1NDTSATtodHRwczovL3d3dy5iYmMuY28udWsvbmV3cy9hbXAvdWstbm9ydGhlcm4taXJlbGFuZC01NTY0MTU0NA?oc=5

2021-01-12 21:18:00Z
52781298104565

COVID-19: 'Stubborn number' of people still refusing to follow coronavirus rules - Sky News

A "stubborn number" of people are still refusing to follow the rules despite England entering a third coronavirus lockdown, the chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council has said.

Speaking at a Downing Street news conference, Martin Hewitt said forces across the UK have issued almost 45,000 fines for breaches of COVID-19 rules.

Appearing alongside him was Home Secretary Priti Patel, who insisted the current restrictions were "very simple and clear" as well as being "tough enough".

However, she wrongly said at one stage that "outdoor recreation" is allowed in a "restricted and limited way".

Home Office sources said her comment was a slip of the tongue, with one saying: "The Home Secretary was clearly talking about exercise."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has kept open the possibility of further action, warning the government "may have to do more" if ministers feel restrictions "are not being properly observed".

As the debate surrounding the potential introduction of even tougher measures continues, there has been renewed focus on whether police forces should take a tougher stance when it comes to enforcing the rules.

Crime and policing minister Kit Malthouse told Times Radio earlier that officers would be adopting a new "high-profile" approach, which could include stopping people out and about and asking them why they are not at home.

Chief Constable Hewitt revealed that more officers will be out on dedicated patrols to deal with those who flout the regulations.

He said officers will not "linger" trying to persuade people to obey rules, nor will they "waste time" trying to reason with individuals who display "no regard" for the safety of others.

Chief Constable Hewitt said recent examples of "irresponsible behaviour" included a boat party in Hertfordshire that was attended by more than 40 people - and a minibus of people from different households travelling into Wales from Cheltenham for a walk.

He said officers would "carry on engaging with people", but suggested they would have less tolerance for breaches given the UK has been living with COVID-19 restrictions for almost a year now and is at the "most dangerous stage of the pandemic".

"We will talk to people and we will explain. But I think the rules are clear enough for people to understand, we are 10 months into this process," he said, adding that people needed to take "personal responsibility" for their actions.

The home secretary said the "horrifying" number of coronavirus deaths showed the need for people to abide by the rules, with a further 1,243 fatalities reported on Tuesday.

Ms Patel said "most of the public" are doing this, but "a minority of people are putting the health of the nation at risk by not following the rules".

She added: "My message today to anyone refusing to do the right thing is simple: if you do not play your part, our selfless police officers - who are out there risking their own lives every day to keep us safe - they will enforce the regulations.

"And I will back them to do so, to protect our NHS and to save lives."

Ms Patel revealed that cabinet colleague Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, has spoken with local councils "about the role that they have to play in enforcing the rules".

"We are now at a critical stage in our battle against this virus," she continued.

"To protect those that you care about, and the capacity of our hospitals to protect us all, please stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives."

The home secretary faced multiple questions at the news conference about whether the rules were clear enough to understand and tough enough to get the virus under control.

"The British public are absolutely sensible, they are conscientious, they understand the stay at home message," she said.

However, there have been suggestions in recent days that the directive to "stay local" for exercise is not clear enough and open to varying interpretations about what distance you are allowed to travel to undertake it.

Police leaders have called on ministers to clarify the "woolly" rule.

Derbyshire Police initially fined two women £200 each for travelling separately to a reservoir for a walk around five miles from their homes, before apologising and rescinding their fixed penalty notices.

On Sunday, the PM was spotted cycling at the Olympic Park in east London, which is seven miles from Downing Street.

Asked about both of these incidents, Ms Patel said "we all have to exercise our judgment and be very conscientious as to how we act".

She added: "When it comes to exercising, I do say stay local - staying local is absolutely crucial."

Referencing Mr Johnson, the home secretary said it was important to stay away from other people "which is clearly what the prime minister did when he was taking his daily exercise".

Chief Constable Hewitt said it would be "challenging" to define how far people can travel to exercise.

"I don't think we are in a position where we want to set a particular distance because how would - if a police officer stopped somebody - prove that a person is within or outside that distance," he said.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMicWh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2NvdmlkLTE5LXN0dWJib3JuLW51bWJlci1vZi1wZW9wbGUtc3RpbGwtcmVmdXNpbmctdG8tZm9sbG93LWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLXJ1bGVzLTEyMTg2MDE10gF1aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL2NvdmlkLTE5LXN0dWJib3JuLW51bWJlci1vZi1wZW9wbGUtc3RpbGwtcmVmdXNpbmctdG8tZm9sbG93LWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLXJ1bGVzLTEyMTg2MDE1?oc=5

2021-01-12 20:37:30Z
52781299479770