Covid antibodies last at least six months after infection February 3, 2021 Coronavirus antibodies last for at least six months after infection for almost all people who have had the virus, according to a new study. A wide-scale study, by medical database UK Biobank, found that 99 per cent of participants who tested positive for coronavirus retained antibodies for at least three months, while 88 per cent [...]
Captain Sir Tom Moore dies from coronavirus aged 100 February 2, 2021 Captain Sir Tom Moore has died after contracting coronavirus in hospital, his family has confirmed. The 100-year-old, who raised almost £33m for the NHS, passed away with his family at his side at Bedford Hospital this afternoon. In a statement, his daughters Hannah Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira said: “It is with great sadness that we [...]
Scotland to introduce ‘managed quarantine’ for all international arrivals February 2, 2021 Scotland will impose a “managed quarantine” on all international arrivals into the country, Nicola Sturgeon has announced, as she vowed to clamp down on Covid mutations crossing the border. Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week unveiled a 10-day hotel quarantine for arrivals to the UK from 30 countries most “at risk” of carrying new Covid [...]
‘More mutations of concern’ found in Bristol and Liverpool, says Matt Hancock February 2, 2021 More Covid “mutations of concern” have been identified in Bristol and Liverpool, the health secretary has announced, as ministers scramble to contain new strains spreading around the country. Speaking in the Commons, Matt Hancock said 11 cases of mutant strains were identified in Bristol and 32 in Liverpool. The health secretary said ministers will roll [...]
Kent Covid variant has mutated again and may be immune to vaccine February 2, 2021 The coronavirus variant first identified in Kent has acquired a mutation that may be partially resistant to vaccines, senior scientists have warned. The E484K mutation is the same change that has been identified in both the Brazilian and South African variants that have sparked international concern. Calum Semple, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group [...]
University students to receive share of £50m funding amid Covid disruption to teaching February 2, 2021 Universities are set to receive an additional £50m to support financially struggling students amid mounting backlash over continuing fees during the pandemic. The new funding, which comes on top of a £20m package offered to disadvantaged students in December, follows a slew of rent strikes and protests from students. Many have asked for rent on [...]
Prime Minister pushes for schools to reopen as ‘peak of infections passed’ February 2, 2021 Boris Johnson is pushing for schools to reopen as soon as possible after being told by the chief medical officer that the “peak of infections has passed”, according to reports. The Prime Minister has told ministers to prioritise children’s education as the government’s most immediate focus, with extra funding earmarked to help students falling behind. [...]
Door-to-door testing launches in London Covid hotspots amid concerns over South African variant February 2, 2021 Government ministers have warned people living in areas infected with the South African coronavirus variant to “think again” before leaving the house, as door-to-door testing launches in London hotspots. Residents in the London boroughs of Ealing, Haringey and Croydon will receive knocks on the door from today asking them to take Covid tests for the [...]
EU rows back on Irish border vaccine controls January 30, 2021 The European Union amended its controversial measures seeking to limit exports to Northern Ireland on Friday evening. The bloc had moved to restrict exports of vaccines into Northern Ireland by overriding parts of the Brexit deal, sparking widespread anger from politicians in Belfast, after an escalation in the vaccine row. Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster described the move [...]
EU approves Astrazeneca vaccine for all over-18s January 29, 2021 The EU drugs regulator has approved the use of the Astrazeneca Covid vaccine for all people over the age of 18. The green light from the European Medicines Agency means Astrazeneca vaccine is the third to be approved by the EU, after those developed by Pfizer/Biontech and Moderna. The move follows an increasingly bitter dispute [...]
