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Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced that mass coronavirus testing will be rolled out in secondary schools in parts of London, Essex and Kent, in response to the rising rate of infections there.
The decision comes as level 3 appears to be looming for London as the capital now has the highest Covid-19 infection rate in England.
Cases are increasing in three regions, according to Public Health England, with London at 191.8 cases per 100,000 people between the weekend and December 6, up from 158.1 a week earlier.
In the east of England the rate has increased from 116.2 to 147.2, while in the south east of England the rate has increased from 142.2 to 160.8.
All other regions of England posted a weekly decline.
Experts have warned that London should be placed at level 3 as soon as possible to avoid becoming a super spreader over Christmas.
Professor John Ashton, author of Blinded by Corona and former regional director of public health for North West England, told the BBC the inhabitants of the city could end up “sending coronavirus to other parts of the country at Christmas and causing a third wave of infections as in January.”
While Dr. Mike Gill, former regional director of public health for the Southeast, said steps must be taken now to reduce contact, which would make level three restrictions significant.
France will introduce a curfew at 20:00
French Prime Minister Jean Castex has said that France will impose a curfew at 20:00 starting December 15.
Although the measure will not apply on Christmas Eve, it will be enforced on New Year’s Eve, he added.
Rory sullivan10 December 2020 17:59
Tens of thousands of people have received Covid jab in the UK
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed that tens of thousands of people in the UK have received the coronavirus injection from Pfizer since vaccination began on Tuesday.
“As of today, we are vaccinating in 73 hospitals across the UK, tens of thousands of people have had the jab,” he told a news conference on Thursday.
Rory sullivan10 December 2020 17:55
Hancock Announces Covid School Tests
Massive Covid Testing for Some High Schools in London, Essex and Kent
Rory sullivan10 December 2020 17:51
Massive Covid Testing for Some High Schools in London, Essex and Kent
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced mobile test units will be dispatched to secondary schools in parts of London, Kent and Essex amid rising coronavirus cases in those areas.
The decision was made in response to data showing that the virus is spreading faster among children between the ages of 11 and 18.
Hancock said: “I am particularly concerned about the number of cases in London, Kent and Essex. Cases are increasing and in many areas already high.
“Looking in detail, the test and survey results show us that by far the fastest increase is among high school age children aged 11-18, while the rate among adults in London is practically flat.
Rory sullivan10 December 2020 17:33
Kay Burley, Sky News journalist, taken off the air for 6 months for violation of Covid
Sky News Host Kay Burley has confirmed that she will “step back” from her broadcast role for “a period of reflection” shortly after breaking the coronavirus rules to celebrate her 60th birthday.
In a statement posted on Twitter, he apologized for making “a big mistake” and added that he hoped to resume his 32-year career in Sky next year.
My colleague Kate ng has the details:
Rory sullivan10 December 2020 17:23
London boroughs have some of the highest infection rates in England
The weekly rate of new coronavirus cases has soared in the London Borough of Havering to more than 400 people out of 100,000, according to the latest health data.
This means that it now has one of the highest infection rates of any area in England.
Following the release of data for the week to December 6, three other London boroughs, Barking & Dagenham, Waltham Forest and Redbridge, are now also among the 20 worst affected areas in England.
London has the highest infection rate of any region in the country, with increasing levels of cases in 31 of its 32 boroughs.
Rory sullivan10 December 2020 16:52
Wales closes secondary schools in attempt to lower transmission rates
Welsh Education Minister Kirsty Williams has said that secondary schools and universities in Wales will be closed from Monday, and that online learning will replace in-person lessons.
Ms. Williams explained that the measure was taken on the advice of the country’s medical director, as the health service is under “significant and sustained pressure.”
The decision is expected to reduce the transmission of the coronavirus.
The Minister of Education emphasized that the closing of schools “is not an anticipated Christmas party” and reminded students to minimize their contact with others.
Rory sullivan10 December 2020 16:36
Britain sees biggest daily increase in Covid infections since mid-November
Government data shows there are 20,964 new cases of coronavirus in Britain, the largest daily increase since mid-November.
The figure is a significant increase from the 16,578 new infections recorded on Wednesday.
On both days, more than 500 deaths from the disease were also announced.
Rory sullivan10 December 2020 16:27
Turkey records the highest number of daily deaths from Covid
The death toll from coronavirus in Turkey has risen to a record 220 in the past 24 hours, data from the country’s Health Ministry show.
As a result, the number of people who have died from the disease now stands at 15,751.
The latest batch of data also revealed that there were 30,424 new Covid-19 infections in the country.
Rory sullivan10 December 2020 16:13
The Pope’s midnight mass on Christmas Eve will start early due to the Covid curfew
Pope Francis will celebrate midnight Mass earlier than usual to comply with Italy’s anti-coronavirus curfew and deliver his Christmas and New Year blessings in ways that aim to prevent crowds from forming.
The Vatican today released the Pope’s Covid-19 Christmas liturgical calendar. He said the pope’s Christmas Eve mass, which for years has been celebrated not at midnight, but at 9:30 p.m. to save the pontiffs from the last hour, would begin at 7:30 p.m. this year.
Italy has imposed a 10 p.m. curfew across the country, as well as restaurant closures and other restrictions, to try to prevent crowds from forming following the surge in coronavirus infections and deaths this fall.
Chiara giordano10 December 2020 15:59
