Babak Belurs

Selasa, 15 Juni 2021

COVID-19 vaccinations: More than 30 million people in UK have now had both doses of a coronavirus jab - Sky News

More than 30 million people in the UK are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the government.

A total of 30,209,707 people have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine (57.4% of the adult population).

And 41,831,056 have received a first jab (79.4%).

Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world

It comes as the UK reported more than 7,000 daily COVID cases for a seventh day in a row.

Another 7,673 infections have been recorded in the latest 24-hour period, along with 10 more coronavirus-related deaths.

The figures compare with 7,742 infections and three fatalities announced on Monday, while 6,048 cases and 13 deaths were recorded this time last week.

NHS England has now extended the offer of a vaccine to everyone over the age of 23.

And all over-18s in England will be able to book a first dose by the end of this week, Downing Street has confirmed.

Meanwhile, members of the public who have already had their first jab are being urged to come forward for their second dose to help protect against the threat of new COVID variants.

To ensure people have the strongest possible protection, second doses for over-40s will be speeded up by reducing the dosing interval from 12 weeks to eight weeks.

All over-40s who received a first dose by mid-May will be offered a second dose by 19 July.

Also, new analysis by Public Health England (PHE) showed for the first time that two doses of a COVID vaccine are highly effective against hospitalisation from the Delta variant, first detected in India.

The data suggests the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is 96% effective and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is 92% effective against hospitalisation after both doses.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "Second doses are increasingly vital, so this is an incredibly important milestone. Day after day, our vaccination programme reaches new heights.

"With over 30 million people across the UK now receiving a second dose, we are giving the fullest possible protection to our loved ones in the face of new variants.

"The strength of the union has never been clearer than in the UK vaccination effort. All four corners of this country have pulled together for one common purpose - to get the jab and fight this virus.

"I want to pay tribute to everyone right across the country who has answered our call to arms and rolled up their sleeves to get the jab. I encourage everyone over 23 to come forward and get the jab."

Over-18s in Wales and Northern Ireland can already get a jab, and people over 30 are eligible in Scotland.

On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a delay to step four in England's roadmap out of COVID-19 measures, pushing back the hoped for 21 June "Freedom Day" to 19 July amid a rise in cases of the Delta variant.

Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove has told Sky News that 19 July is the "terminus date" for England's remaining coronavirus restrictions and it would take an "unprecedented and remarkable" change in circumstances to derail that.

Also, Scotland is "likely" to maintain COVID restrictions for a further three weeks from 28 June, the nation's first minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Speaking in Holyrood, Ms Sturgeon did not rule out the further easing of restrictions, but said the Scottish government needed to "buy ourselves sufficient time" to allow the vaccination programme to continue its work.

A three-week delay would allow more people to receive a second coronavirus vaccine amid concerns about rising cases of the Delta variant, she added.

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2021-06-15 15:00:00Z
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Nicola Sturgeon Covid announcement RECAP: What did Nicola Sturgeon say today | First Minister delays June 28 easing due to rising cases | Five things First Minister uses to decide if Scotland moves to Level 0 | What is Level 0 - The Scotsman

Here is an overview of the latest coronavirus data likely to be used by the Scottish Government to inform its decision about easing restrictions.

– Infection levels

The proportion of people testing positive for coronavirus in Scotland has increased slightly in recent weeks.

Around one in 540 people in private households in Scotland had Covid-19 in the week to June 5 – up from one in 680 in the previous week, according to estimates published on Friday by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

It is the highest level since the week to April 10.

These figures are still very low compared with the peak of the second wave in January; the latest estimate of one in 540 people is the equivalent of 0.2% of the population, or 9,700 people: well below the 1.1%, or 55,700 people, estimated at the start of the year.

The ONS also describes the trend in Scotland as “uncertain”, and there is not yet enough evidence to describe the recent rise as part of a steady, long-term increase in infections.

– Case rates

A total of 6,211 new cases of coronavirus were recorded in Scotland in the seven days to June 10, according to Public Health Scotland.

This is the equivalent of 113.7 cases per 100,000 people – up from 88.4 one week earlier and the highest since February 7.

Scotland also has the highest rate among the four nations of the UK.

Of the 32 local authority areas in Scotland, Dundee currently has the highest rate: 288.6, up week-on-week from 162.7

South Ayrshire has the second highest rate (227.3, up from 172.3), followed by Clackmannanshire (209.5, up from 151.3).

In all, 17 of the 32 local areas are now recording rates above 100 cases per 100,000 people.

And 23 of the 32 are currently recording a week-on-week increase.

– Hospital cases

The number of Covid-19 hospital admissions and patients is increasing.

Some 158 patients with confirmed Covid-19 were admitted to hospitals in Scotland in the week ending June 8 – up from 137 in the previous week, and the highest since the week ending March 30.

A total of 128 people with recently confirmed Covid-19 were reported to be in hospital on June 14, up from 122 a week earlier.

The seven-day average for the number of patients in hospital currently stands at 127.

This is the highest since April 16.

Hospital activity remains well below the level seen at the height of the second wave, however.

Admissions peaked at 1,391 in the week ending January 12, while the number of patients peaked at 2,053 on January 22.

– Variants

The Delta variant of Covid-19, which originated in India, is now the dominant form of coronavirus in Scotland, according to new findings from the University of Edinburgh’s Usher Institute.

Researchers analysed data from 5.4 million people for the period April 1 to June 6 and recorded 19,543 community cases and 377 admissions to hospital where a specific variant of Covid-19 was confirmed.

Of these totals, 7,723 cases and 134 hospital admissions were found to have the Delta variant, which is believed to be about 60% more transmissible than the previously dominant Alpha variant that was first identified in Kent in England at the end of last year.

While vaccines were found to reduce the risk of being admitted to hospital, strong protective effects against the Delta variant were not seen until at least 28 days after the first vaccine dose.

In community cases at least two weeks after the second dose, the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was found to provide 79% protection against infection from the Delta variant, compared with 92% against the Alpha variant.

The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine offered 60% protection against infection with the Delta variant, compared with 73% for the Alpha variant.

Professor Aziz Sheikh, director of the Usher Institute and EAVE II study lead, said the Delta variant is “unfortunately associated with increased risk of hospitalisation from Covid-19.”

“Whilst possibly not as effective as against other variants, two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines still offer substantial protection against the risk of infection and hospitalisation.

“It is therefore really important that, when offered second doses, people take these up, both to protect themselves, and to reduce household and community transmission.”

– Vaccinations

Some 3.5 million first doses of Covid-19 vaccine have now been delivered in Scotland – the equivalent of 79.3% of the adult population.

A further 2.4 million second doses have also been given, meaning 55.2% of people aged 18 and over are likely to be fully vaccinated.

Vaccine take-up varies among different age groups, however.

The latest available breakdown from Public Health Scotland, showing vaccinations up to June 13, shows 94.6% of people aged 80 and over have had both doses of vaccine – suggesting 5.4%, or around one in 20, are not yet fully vaccinated.

Some 98.6% of 75 to 79-year-olds are estimated to be fully vaccinated, along with 99.6% of people aged 70 to 74, 96.9% of people aged 65 to 69 and 95.9% of those aged 60 to 64.

But so far only 83.1% of 55 to 59-year-olds have had both doses, as well as 66.2% of 50 to 54-year-olds.

All people in Scotland over the age of 40 are now being urged to have their second Covid-19 jab as soon as possible, with the Scottish Government saying anyone in that age group who has a scheduled appointment more than eight weeks after their first dose should seek an earlier slot.

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2021-06-15 14:32:21Z
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Nicola Sturgeon Covid announcement RECAP: What did Nicola Sturgeon say today | First Minister delays June 28 easing due to rising cases | Five things First Minister uses to decide if Scotland moves to Level 0 | What is Level 0 - The Scotsman

Here is an overview of the latest coronavirus data likely to be used by the Scottish Government to inform its decision about easing restrictions.

– Infection levels

The proportion of people testing positive for coronavirus in Scotland has increased slightly in recent weeks.

It is the highest level since the week to April 10.

The ONS also describes the trend in Scotland as “uncertain”, and there is not yet enough evidence to describe the recent rise as part of a steady, long-term increase in infections.

– Case rates

A total of 6,211 new cases of coronavirus were recorded in Scotland in the seven days to June 10, according to Public Health Scotland.

This is the equivalent of 113.7 cases per 100,000 people – up from 88.4 one week earlier and the highest since February 7.

Scotland also has the highest rate among the four nations of the UK.

Of the 32 local authority areas in Scotland, Dundee currently has the highest rate: 288.6, up week-on-week from 162.7

South Ayrshire has the second highest rate (227.3, up from 172.3), followed by Clackmannanshire (209.5, up from 151.3).

In all, 17 of the 32 local areas are now recording rates above 100 cases per 100,000 people.

And 23 of the 32 are currently recording a week-on-week increase.

– Hospital cases

The number of Covid-19 hospital admissions and patients is increasing.

Some 158 patients with confirmed Covid-19 were admitted to hospitals in Scotland in the week ending June 8 – up from 137 in the previous week, and the highest since the week ending March 30.

A total of 128 people with recently confirmed Covid-19 were reported to be in hospital on June 14, up from 122 a week earlier.

The seven-day average for the number of patients in hospital currently stands at 127.

This is the highest since April 16.

Hospital activity remains well below the level seen at the height of the second wave, however.

Admissions peaked at 1,391 in the week ending January 12, while the number of patients peaked at 2,053 on January 22.

– Variants

The Delta variant of Covid-19, which originated in India, is now the dominant form of coronavirus in Scotland, according to new findings from the University of Edinburgh’s Usher Institute.

While vaccines were found to reduce the risk of being admitted to hospital, strong protective effects against the Delta variant were not seen until at least 28 days after the first vaccine dose.

The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine offered 60% protection against infection with the Delta variant, compared with 73% for the Alpha variant.

Professor Aziz Sheikh, director of the Usher Institute and EAVE II study lead, said the Delta variant is “unfortunately associated with increased risk of hospitalisation from Covid-19.”

“It is therefore really important that, when offered second doses, people take these up, both to protect themselves, and to reduce household and community transmission.”

– Vaccinations

Some 3.5 million first doses of Covid-19 vaccine have now been delivered in Scotland – the equivalent of 79.3% of the adult population.

A further 2.4 million second doses have also been given, meaning 55.2% of people aged 18 and over are likely to be fully vaccinated.

Vaccine take-up varies among different age groups, however.

Some 98.6% of 75 to 79-year-olds are estimated to be fully vaccinated, along with 99.6% of people aged 70 to 74, 96.9% of people aged 65 to 69 and 95.9% of those aged 60 to 64.

But so far only 83.1% of 55 to 59-year-olds have had both doses, as well as 66.2% of 50 to 54-year-olds.

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Nicola Sturgeon to make decision on Scotland 'Freedom Day' next week - Daily Record

Nicola Sturgeon has announced there are unlikely to be any changes to Scotland's lockdown levels until July 19.

The First Minister confirmed today she will reveal the findings of a substantial review of restrictions when she updates the Scottish Parliament next Tuesday.

But she told MSPs that the need to get more people vaccinated meant it was "reasonable to indicate now that I think it unlikely that any part of the country will move down a level from June 28".

Under the Scottish Government's previously published routemap out of lockdown, all of the country was meant to be placed at Level 0 from that date.

Instead it is lnow ikely health experts will recommend a three week period from June 28 to carry out as many second doses as possible.

It comes as Boris Johnson confirmed England's so-called "Freedom Day" has also been pushed back until Monday, July 19, when the Prime Minister hopes social distancing will come to an end south of the Border.

The First Minister has so far avoided offering fixed dates for when similar restrictions will come to an end in Scotland.

The SNP leader said today: "Our next full review of the protection levels is scheduled for next week. This will consider whether any changes are possible from June 28 onwards – a date when we had hoped we would see the whole country move down to Level 0.

"I will confirm our decision to Parliament following the full review next week.

"However, given the current situation - and the need to get more people fully vaccinated before we ease up further - it is reasonable to indicate now that I think it unlikely that any part of the country will move down a level from June 28.

"Instead, it is likely that we will opt to maintain restrictions for a further three weeks from June 28 and use that time to vaccinate - with both doses - as many more people as possible.

"Doing that will give us the best chance, later in July, of getting back on track and restoring the much greater normality that we all crave."

Scottish politics

Sturgeon added: "To that end, we will also do three other things next week.

"If our decision is to retain current levels for a further three weeks, we will consider whether any minor changes are possible.

"I am aware that - as restrictions have eased - perceived anomalies have arisen, and I understand how frustrating that can be, even though there will be a rational explanation for what may appear to be contradictory.

"And so I can assure you that - as part of our ongoing review of the rules, - we will consider whether any changes should be made to address such issues.

"More fundamentally, though, we will publish two pieces of work next week that look ahead - hopefully not too far ahead - to the restoration of a much greater degree of normality.

"This work will be of interest to everyone - but it will have particular significance for the businesses and sectors, including much of our arts and culture sector, that still face the greatest uncertainty about what the future looks like."

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It comes as 974 covid cases were confirmed in Scotland, a test positivity rate of five per cent.

A total of 137 patients who have tested positive for covid are in hospital, a rise of nine on the previous day.

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2021-06-15 13:39:03Z
52781669385675

Boris Johnson hails 'new dawn' as UK and Australia agree free trade deal - Sky News

The UK and Australia have agreed a free trade deal, the first agreement negotiated from scratch after Brexit.

Boris Johnson said the tariff-free deal, which Downing Street said will see British cars, Scotch whisky and biscuits and ceramics become cheaper to sell, marked a "new dawn" in the UK's relationship with Australia.

The prime minister added: "Our new free-trade agreement opens fantastic opportunities for British businesses and consumers, as well as young people wanting the chance to work and live on the other side of the world.

"This is global Britain at its best - looking outwards and striking deals that deepen our alliances and help ensure every part of the country builds back better from the pandemic."

Key points of the deal revealed so far include:

• Britons under the age of 35 will be able to travel and work in Australia more freely

• Tariffs will be eliminated on Australian favourites like Jacob's Creek and Hardys wines, swimwear and confectionery, as well as increasing choice for British consumers and saving households up to £34m annually

• Downing Street said the deal will help distillers by scrapping tariffs of up to 5% on Scotch whisky, while car manufacturers in the Midlands and the North of England will see tariffs of up to 5% cut

• Number 10 said more than 450 businesses in Wales exported to Australia last year and stand to benefit, while "life science companies and chemicals manufacturers are set to benefit in particular"

• It said that in Northern Ireland, 90% of all exports to Australia are "machinery and manufacturing goods used extensively in Australia's mining, quarrying and recycling sectors", and under the deal tariffs will be removed and customs procedures "simplified"

Trade between the UK and Australia was worth £13.9bn in 2020, with the UK ranking as Australia's fifth largest trading partner.

The UK government estimates that the deal will boost Australia's gross domestic product, the total value of goods produced and services provided, by between 0.01% and 0.06%.

Mr Johnson is understood to have agreed the deal over dinner with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Downing Street on Monday, with a final agreement in principle due to be published this week.

There was understood to be division among ministers over the terms of the deal last month, with some concerned a tariff and quota free agreement could leave British farmers struggling to compete.

Farming groups had warned that a proposed free trade deal with Australia could imperil livelihoods.

In a bid to allay those fears, Downing Street said that under the deal British farmers will be protected by a cap on tariff-free imports for 15 years, with other "safeguards" to protect them.

Speaking at Downing Street alongside Mr Morrison on Tuesday, Mr Johnson said he thought the agreement would lead to "even more trade" between the two nations.

The PM said he was "not going to exaggerate the overall increase of respected GDPs from this", but added: "But it's more important politically and symbolically, we're opening up to each other and this is the prelude to a general campaign of opening up to the world."

Mr Johnson said the deal would be "good news for British car manufacturers, it will be good news for British services, for British financial services and it will be good news for the agricultural sector on both sides".

Asked what it will mean for farmers, the PM said: "We're opening up to Australia, but we're doing it in a staggered way and we're doing it over 15 years.

"We're retaining safeguards, making sure we have protections against sudden influxes of goods and also making sure we adhere to the strongest possible standards for animal welfare.

"As you can imagine, that is what the British consumer is going to want."

Mr Morrison, who met the Queen at Windsor Castle during his trip, said: "Our economies are stronger by these agreements, this is the most comprehensive and ambitious agreement that Australia has concluded."

The deal will also bolster the UK's bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Downing Street said.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said the £9trn free trade area is "home to some of the biggest consumer markets of the present and future" and joining it will "create unheralded opportunities for our farmers, makers, innovators and investors to do business in the future of engine room of the global economy".

Sarah Olney, the Lib Dem spokesperson for trade, said the government had "serious questions to answer about how this agreement will prevent cheaper and lower quality food products flooding the UK market, threatening our agriculture and food safety".

And a cross-party group of MPs from across the four nations of the UK has written to Ms Truss, calling for parliamentary scrutiny of the deal.

"No one wants to see our farming communities in Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland undermined for the sake of a politically expedient trade deal," they said.

Analysis: Benefits of deal to UK economy are marginal
By Tamara Cohen, political correspondent

Sealed with an elbow bump outside Number 10, the first post-Brexit trade deal negotiated from scratch.

British cars, Scotch whisky and confectionary will be the winners, the government says. While products such as Australian wines should be cheaper to import and young people able to more easily live and work down under.

A major sticking point - which split the cabinet - has been farming, with British beef and lamb farmers concerned they will be undercut by cheaper imports made to lower welfare standards.

The plan unveiled today is that they will be protected by quotas phased out over 15 years.

And, Michael Gove said this morning, by the fact Australia is too far away to take too much of their trade. But concerns remain over food and environmental standards in this and future deals.

The benefits to the UK economy are modest. £14bn a year of trade is done with Australia. The government hopes to boost exports up to £900m - or 0.02% of GDP.

But ministers hope it leads the way to membership of a bigger Asia-Pacific trade bloc, and can turn "Global Britain" from ambition into action.

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2021-06-15 10:18:45Z
52781663424903

Boris Johnson hails 'new dawn' as UK and Australia agree free trade deal - Sky News

The UK and Australia have agreed a free trade deal, the first agreement negotiated from scratch after Brexit.

"This is global Britain at its best - looking outwards and striking deals that deepen our alliances and help ensure every part of the country builds back better from the pandemic."

Key points of the deal revealed so far include:

• Britons under the age of 35 will be able to travel and work in Australia more freely
• Tariffs will be eliminated on Australian favourites like Jacob's Creek and Hardys wines, swimwear and confectionery, as well as increasing choice for British consumers and saving households up to £34m annually
• Downing Street said the deal will help distillers by scrapping tariffs of up to 5% on Scotch whisky, while car manufacturers in the Midlands and the North of England will see tariffs of up to 5% cut
• Number 10 said more than 450 businesses in Wales exported to Australia last year and stand to benefit, while "life science companies and chemicals manufacturers are set to benefit in particular"
• It said that in Northern Ireland, 90% of all exports to Australia are "machinery and manufacturing goods used extensively in Australia's mining, quarrying and recycling sectors", and under the deal tariffs will be removed and customs procedures "simplified"

Trade between the UK and Australia was worth £13.9bn in 2020, with the UK ranking as Australia's fifth largest trading partner.

The UK government estimates that the deal will boost Australia's gross domestic product, the total value of goods produced and services provided, by between 0.01% and 0.06%.

Mr Johnson is understood to have agreed the deal over dinner with Australian prime minister Scott Morrison in Downing Street on Monday, with a final agreement in principle due to be published this week.

There was understood to be division among ministers over the terms of the deal last month, with some concerned a tariff and quota free agreement could leave British farmers struggling to compete.

Farming groups had warned that a proposed free trade deal with Australia could imperil livelihoods.

In a bid to allay those fears, Downing Street said that under the deal British farmers will be protected by a cap on tariff-free imports for 15 years, with other "safeguards" to protect them.

Speaking at Downing Street alongside Mr Morrison on Tuesday, Mr Johnson said he thinks the agreement will lead to "even more trade" between the two nations.

The PM continued: "It will be good news for British car manufacturers, it will be good news for British services, for British financial services and it will be good news for the agricultural sector on both sides.

"Here, we had to negotiate very hard and I want everybody to understand that this is a sensitive sector for both sides and we've got a deal that runs over 15 years and contains the strongest possible provisions for animal welfare.

"But I think it is a good deal and I think it's one that will benefit British farmers and British consumers as well. It will also make it easier for British people, for young people to go and work in Australia."

The deal will also bolster the UK's bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Downing Street said.

Analysis: Benefits of deal to UK economy are marginal
By Tamara Cohen, political correspondent

Talks going on late into the night. Sealed with an elbow bump outside Number 10, and finally the government can boast that a post-Brexit trade deal has been done.

Boris Johnson and Australian PM Scott Morrison agreed the main elements over dinner last night, and barring any last-minute hitches, an agreement in principle should be signed in the coming days.

This is the first post-Brexit deal to be negotiated entirely from scratch, rather than a "rollover" of deals the UK was part of as an EU member - for example with Canada and Turkey.

The government says British cars, Scotch whisky and confectionery will be cheaper to sell, under plans to eliminate tariffs on all UK goods. And products such as Australian wines cheaper to import.

Young people will have more opportunities to live and work down under.

A major sticking point - which split the cabinet - has been farming, with British beef and lamb farmers concerned they will be undercut by cheaper imports made to lower welfare standards.

The plan unveiled today is that they will be protected by quotas lasting for 15 years. And, Michael Gove said this morning, by the fact that Australia's biggest markets for fresh produce will always be nearer ones in Asia.

While Boris Johnson has called the deal a "new dawn", the benefits to the UK economy are marginal. £14bn a year of trade is done with Australia. The government hopes to boost exports up to £900m - or 0.02% of GDP.

But ministers hope it leads the way to membership of a bigger Asia-Pacific trade bloc, and can turn "Global Britain" from an ambition into action.

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Ireland to impose tighter restrictions on British travellers amid Delta variant concerns - Sky News

The Irish government is set to announce an increase to the self-isolation period for British travellers, going up from five days to 10.

Under current rules, people arriving in Ireland from Britain must provide a negative PCR test result and then have to self-isolate at home, but can leave isolation after five days with a second negative PCR test.

The new, tougher rules will apply to partially vaccinated people - and not British travellers who are fully vaccinated.

Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world

Travellers from Ireland to Britain face no such restrictions.

Irish transport minister Eamon Ryan said the "cautious" move was to hold back the spread of the Delta variant, the dominant coronavirus variant in Britain, until the Irish vaccination programme further rolls out.

"The more we can delay its spread," he told RTE Radio. "The better protection we'll have."

The presence of the Delta variant has been confirmed in Ireland, but at a much lower incidence level than in Britain.

The Irish government has serious concerns that the strain, which is at least 60% more transmissible than the original Alpha variant, could take hold and jeopardise plans for a wider reopening of society on 5 July.

The new plan for arrivals from Britain will be considered by the Irish cabinet at its usual Tuesday meeting, and official confirmation is expected this afternoon.

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2021-06-15 08:42:54Z
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Selasa, 15 Juni 2021

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