UK R rate increases to between 0.7 to 0.9 March 26, 2021 The UK’s R number has risen slightly to a best estimate of between 0.7 and 0.9, though it remains below the crucial 1 threshold. The figure marks a marginal hike from last week, when scientists estimated that the R rate was between 0.6 and 0.9. The new R rate means that every 10 people infected [...]
EU approves use of Netherlands factory to produce Astrazeneca vaccine March 26, 2021 The EU medicines regulator has approved the use of a factory in the Netherlands for the production of Covid vaccines for Europe, despite the fact that it is currently being used to make jabs for the UK. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said in statement it had cleared the Halix production site in the Netherlands [...]
MPs vote to extend emergency coronavirus powers for another six months March 25, 2021 MPs have voted to extend the government’s emergency Covid powers for a further six months. The 2020 Coronavirus Act was passed by 484 votes to 76, handing the government a majority of 408. It comes despite opposition from a group of rebel Tory backbenchers who argued that the extension could result in further lockdowns. The [...]
UK’s Covid alert level downgraded as hospital pressure eases March 25, 2021 The UK’s Covid alert level is set to be downgraded as the number if patients in hospital with coronavirus continues to fall, the head of the NHS has said. NHS England chief Sir Simon Stevens recommended the nation’s coronavirus emergency incident level be lowered from level four to level three, effective from today. It means [...]
Matt Hancock: No guarantee that coronavirus laws will end in six months March 25, 2021 The health secretary has refused to commit to ripping up the Coronavirus Act in six months, telling MPs that emergency Covid laws could stay in place for another year. Speaking at a Commons debate on a potential extension of the legislation, Matt Hancock said: “There are parts of this Act that have allowed us to [...]
Britain most willing nation in the world to get Covid vaccine, survey finds March 25, 2021 People in the UK are the most willing of any nation in the world to get vaccinated against coronavirus, according to a new study. A YouGov poll found that 86 per cent of people in Britain were willing to get a Covid vaccine or had already received one as of 21 March — the highest [...]
Johnson says UK is ‘on the side of openness’ following EU vaccine row March 25, 2021 Prime Minister Boris Johnson today said that Britain is “on the side of openness” and that did he not want to see restrictions on the exchange of Covid-19 vaccines with the European Union. Yesterday the EU tightened its oversight of coronavirus vaccine exports, giving it greater scope to block shipments to countries with higher inoculation [...]
Suez Canal: Rescue mission to recover ‘beached whale’ ship could take weeks March 25, 2021 Suez Canal latest: Ever Given rescue efforts restart with traffic still blocked
Covid-19, a year on: How Big Pharma reinvented itself March 25, 2021 In this series, City A.M. looks back at the last year of the pandemic and Covid restrictions and takes stock of its impact on industries and issues at the heart of British society. Read more: Read the full Covid-19, a year on series here. Six years ago, pharmaceutical chief executive Martin Shkreli drew international condemnation when his [...]
Care home resident to be vaccinated despite son’s objections, judge rules March 24, 2021 An 83-year-old care home resident with dementia should be given a Covid-19 vaccine despite her son’s objections, a judge has ruled. Judge Simon Carr concluded in a hearing at a specialist court that vaccination against coronavirus would be in the woman’s best interests. The court issued a protective order over her identity. The pensioner’s GP [...]
