Covid index - June 2021 - August 2021
1 July 2021: The WHO is warning of a new Covid wave in Europe, as a 10-week decline in new cases ends
The official UK list of Covid symptoms should be expanded as the existing one could be missing many cases, experts say
Classic Covid symptoms, the NHS says, are a high temperature, a new continuous cough and/or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
But the most commonly reported symptoms now are cough, headache and fatigue, an ONS survey finds
Employers will have to shoulder more costs of furlough as the government starts to wind down its job support scheme
The NHS has been given the green light to start planning a Covid vaccine booster programme in the UK
A man has apologised over footage which appears to show England's chief medical officer being accosted in a park
Covid is common in pet cats and dogs whose owners have the disease, research suggests
Indonesia has announced a lockdown on its main island Java, as well as the tourism destination of Bali
2 July 2021: Man charged with common assault after Chris Whitty incident
Asda to allow permanent hybrid working for offices
The EU's 'vaccine passport' and what it means for travel
3 July 2021: Covid: Doctors want to keep some measures after 19 July
Weekly coronavirus cases in the UK are up 74% on the previous seven days, according to government figures
On Friday, the UK recorded 27,125 new cases and another 27 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.
In the UK, 45 million people - 85.5% of the adult population - have now received one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
More than 33 million people - 63.1% - have been double jabbed, according to latest government figures
Tough Mudder Scotland in Dalkeith cancelled night before event
Government may want to remove isolation for double jabbed contacts
Covid in Scotland: Contact tracers to prioritise 'high risk' cases
4 July 2021: Covid-19: Masks will become personal choice, says Robert Jenrick, housing secretary
Strong health argument for easing lockdown - Javid, health secretary
As youth clubs in Wales remain closed due to Covid restrictions, there are fears that children are being "lost to the streets".
5 July 2021: Boris Johnson is preparing to set out details of the final step of England's roadmap out of lockdown
He is expected to announce at a news conference at 17:00 BST that England is on track to end a large number of restrictions
Health Secretary Sajid Javid will address the Commons to update MPs at the same time
The PM says people must exercise "judgement" as we learn to live with coronavirus
The final stage of the roadmap was delayed last month to no earlier than 19 July
Some scientists are urging caution while case numbers from the Delta variant are still rising
The Scottish government says it may retain some basic measures including masks at its next review in August
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cambridge is self-isolating after coming into contact with someone who later tested positive
Indonesia is facing an oxygen crisis as hospitals struggle to cope with a surge in cases
6 July 2021: New coronavirus cases "could go as high as 100,000" a day after restrictions ease, the health secretary says
Sajid Javid will later set out to MPs how people who have had two jabs will be able to take a different approach to the rules
The final lifting of England's restrictions is expected on 19 July, but it will be confirmed on 12 July after a review
England's cricket authorities will name a new squad for their one-day series after three players and four staff test positive
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson will later tell MPs how rules in schools in England will also change
Labour, trade unions and some scientists say it is not the time to change mask rules as cases rise
Germany is lifting a Covid-related travel ban on people from the UK and four other variant-hit countries
7 July 2021: At PMQs Keir Starmer asks Boris Johnson if he is comfortable with the health secretary's suggestion there could be 100,000 cases a day
The PM says scientists are "absolutely clear" the link between cases and deaths has been "severed" because of the vaccination programme
Starmer says the delay in relaxing self-isolation rules for people fully vaccinated until August will see millions having to self-isolate
From 16 August, fully-vaccinated adults in England will not have to self-isolate if they are a close contact of a case
Under-18s will also no longer need to self-isolate from 16 August after contact with a positive case
Those who test positive will still have to self-isolate whether they are vaccinated or not, though
Boris Johnson will also be questioned on his Covid strategy by MPs later
Two of the world's biggest airlines will trial fast-track lanes at Heathrow airport for fully-vaccinated arrivals
Sydney residents will be in lockdown for another week as Australia's largest city fights to contain a Covid outbreak
Customers fed up with Covid excuse for bad service
8 July 2021: Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is to set out changes to travel quarantine rules
He is expected to say double-jabbed people won't need to isolate when arriving from amber countries
The £20 universal credit "Covid boost" is being phased out in autumn
Chancellor Rishi Sunak says "people understand" it was introduced for a "crisis"
He also says any decision on pension increases must be fair to taxpayers and pensioners
On Wednesday, daily UK Covid cases rose above 30,000 for first time since January
Watching Euros may be behind rise in infections in men
9 July 2021: The UK wants to recognise vaccinations from other countries as quickly as possible, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tells the BBC
Travel bookings surge after the decision to scrap quarantine for fully vaccinated UK residents from amber-list countries after 19 July
People returning to England from abroad could face longer peak-time airport queues because of checks, a union warns
The NHS Covid contact tracing app for England and Wales could be made less sensitive to reduce the number of people asked to self-isolate
Cases continue to rise in the UK, with 32,551 recorded on Thursday, as well as a further 35 deaths within 28 days of a positive test
The overall risk of children becoming severely ill or dying from Covid is extremely low, a new analysis of infection data confirms
10 July 2021: Fully jabbed NHS staff may not have to isolate
Covid to get worse before it gets better, doctors warn
Heart inflammation link to Pfizer and Moderna jabs
Covid origins: Scientists weigh up evidence over virus's origins
11 July 2021: Covid: Woman aged 90 died with double variant infection
Covid-19: Masks still expected to be worn indoors after 19 July - Zahawi, vaccines minister
NHS backlog in England could reach 13 million, says Javid
People will still have to wear face masks in Wales
Scientists say jabs alone will not currently be enough to stop the virus spreading and other measures are still needed
11 July 2021: Boris Johnson is later expected to confirm an end to England's social-distancing rules on 19 July
Ahead of the announcement the PM warns: "We must all take responsibility so we don't undo our progress".
Health experts have expressed concern about rising cases
UK scientists say early research findings could lead to a diagnostic test for long Covid, following a new discovery
12 July 2021: Boris Johnson has confirmed the end of England's social-distancing rules on 19 July
But the PM warns there will be more hospitalisations and deaths - saying the pandemic is not over
The British Medical Association warns of "potentially devastating consequences" of unlocking
Sage scientist Prof Graham Medley says a peak of cases not controlled by restrictions could heap a "considerable burden" on the NHS
WHO special envoy on Covid-19 Dr David Nabarro says it is "too early" to be talking about freedom
The government has said bus and train companies must decide whether passengers will still be required to wear masks
Industry bodies have said they do not expect any train operator or major bus company to enforce the wearing of face masks
Parents are keeping their children off school so they can avoid self-isolating ahead of the summer holidays
Nearly a third of clinically extremely vulnerable still shielding
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to outline later if all areas of Scotland will move to the lowest level of restrictions on 19 July
Dutch PM Mark Rutte apologises for "an error of judgement" in scrapping most coronavirus restrictions in the country three weeks ago
At least 50 people have been killed in a fire at a hospital treating coronavirus patients in southern Iraq
13 July 2021: Face coverings will still be compulsory on London's transport network after England's restrictions ease on 19 July
Masks will no longer be a legal requirement in England from Monday but will remain compulsory on transport in Scotland and Wales
But London Mayor Sadiq Khan says it would have been better for "national rules to apply across the country"
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says the rules are not confusing and "individuals will make the right judgements"
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union says staff could face abuse over the enforcement of "confusing" rules on face masks
Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford is due to announce how far the country will go to in scrapping coronavirus restrictions
Australia's largest city Sydney has extended its lockdown for at least another two weeks
Spain has become the third EU country to pass four million infections, after France and Italy
14 July 2021: Some 520,194 alerts were sent to users of the NHS Covid-19 app in England in the week to July 7
It means the number told to isolate after close contact with someone who tested positive is up 46% on the previous week
Positive tests at highest level since January - NHS Test and Trace
UK job vacancies climb past pre-pandemic levels
The Balearic Islands are being added to England's travel amber list from Monday, meaning some will have to quarantine on their return
Tui say a "lack of transparency" about the data behind the changes makes it difficult for customers to book "with confidence"
A surge in flu and other respiratory viruses could put pressure on health and the NHS this winter, leading medics warn
Doctors and midwives fear the relaxation of restrictions will lead to a big increase in infections among pregnant women
Cuba lifts import duties on food, medicine and other essentials after protests over the government's handling of pandemic
Singapore sees cases spike after clusters linked to karaoke lounges
16 July 2021: Chris Whitty warns hospital admissions are doubling every three weeks and could hit "scary numbers"
He urges people to act with caution as Covid restrictions in England end on Monday
A study finds younger adults hospitalised with Covid are almost as likely to suffer complications as those over 50
The meat production industry has warned of staff shortages as one in 10 is told to isolate by the NHS Covid app
Goldman Sachs will require staff to wear masks from Monday, despite the easing of measures
Protests have taken place in Melbourne, Australia, hours after a five-day snap lockdown was announced
The World Health Organization head urges China to be more co-operative with its inquiry into the origins of Covid-19
17 July 2021: Fully vaccinated arrivals to England and Wales from France will still have to quarantine from Monday due to concern over Beta variant cases
That is despite it being announced last week that double jabbed people could skip quarantine from amber-list countries
Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, says the "random rule changes" are making it "impossible for travellers and industry to plan ahead"
Six people can meet in homes and a law limiting the number of people meeting outside is being scrapped as Welsh lockdown rules ease further
With most rules in England ending on Monday, a government scientist says cases will soon hit 100,000 a day - and stay high through Autumn
Free flu jabs will be offered to people aged two to 16, over 50 or in "at-risk" groups this winter, amid the double threat of Covid and influenza
For the first time since mid-January, more than 50,000 daily coronavirus cases have been reported in the UK
Covid misinformation on Facebook is killing people - Biden
Health secretary Javid tests positive for Covid
18 July 2021: Covid-19: PM and chancellor to self-isolate in U-turn (due to Health Secretary's getting Covid)
Tokyo Olympics: First competitors have Covid at athletes village
Covid:-19 Decision on vaccinations for under-18s 'within days'
Long Covid funding to unearth new treatments
19 July 2021: Bonfire of regulations
Nearly all remaining Covid restrictions have been lifted in England, including an end to social distancing rules
This means no limits on how many people can meet and an end to the 1m-plus distancing rule
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the chancellor and the health secretary are self-isolating, and there are warnings cases will surge
MPs will be updated later on Monday on whether children will be vaccinated in England, Vaccines Minister Nadim Zahawi says
Nightclubs can reopen for the first time since March 2020 and capacity limits are lifted for all venues and events
Face coverings are no longer required by law, although the government still "expects and recommends" them in crowded and enclosed spaces
Some transport operators and supermarkets are among the businesses asking customers to keep wearing masks
In Scotland, rules are also changing, with looser limits on indoor gatherings, but masks will remain compulsory in shops and on public transport
20 July 2021: Downing Street contradicts a business minister who says self-isolating when pinged by the NHS Covid-19 app should be a matter for people and employers to decide
It is "crucial" to self-isolate when told and business should be supporting employees to do so, a No 10 spokesperson says
Earlier, Paul Scully suggested people should not automatically self-isolate if they are "pinged" by the app but should make an "informed decision"
His comments come as certain fully vaccinated key workers such as NHS, food and border staff will no longer have to self-isolate after close contact with Covid
They will instead be able to take daily tests. The government will set out more details of who that affects later
The PM's ex-adviser Dominic Cummings tells the BBC Boris Johnson had wanted to let Covid "wash through the country"
Mr Cummings also said he had intervened to stop the PM continuing to see the Queen for weekly face-to-face meetings
Most lockdown rules were lifted in England on Monday, with social distancing scrapped and face masks optional
But only the fully vaccinated will be allowed to enter nightclubs and other big events by the end of September
Stock markets across the world dropped sharply on fears rising cases will hamper economic recovery
21 July 2021: UK meat processing industry warns "pingdemic" is causing production to stall
"We've managed to keep the supply chain running but...we're starting to fail," says industry boss
Around 92% of adults in the UK have Covid antibodies, says ONS
France's Covid health pass launches today amid a surge of new infections
People need proof of vaccination, a negative test or recent recovery to enter most museums and cinemas
Later lawmakers will debate whether to extend to cafes, restaurants and shopping malls
A Tokyo 2020 boss has not ruled out cancelling the Olympics after 70 positive tests
About half of Australia's population is in lockdown after a third state imposed restrictions
22 July 2021: The food industry says rising numbers of self-isolating staff mean shops are facing serious challenges as they try to keep shelves stocked
Shoppers told by Iceland there is no need to panic buy
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng tells the BBC people should continue to self-isolate if pinged by the app as "it's not a personal choice"
A list of workers able to skip self-isolation if fully vaccinated will be revealed later, Kwarteng says
Nurses may consider industrial action over the offer of a 3% NHS pay rise in England and Wales, a union says
The Royal College of Nursing tells the BBC staff are "angry" and deserve a bigger increase for their work during the pandemic
The number of young people with eating disorders in England ending up in hospital has risen during the pandemic, a BBC investigation finds
Women quarantining in UK hotels will now have female guards, when possible, after allegations of sexual harassment
Stormont ministers will meet later to decide whether some coronavirus restrictions in Northern Ireland can be eased next week
23 July 2021: Critical parts of the food industry will be allowed to do daily Covid testing instead of asking staff to self-isolate
It's after supermarket bosses warned of severe staff shortages
A more limited scheme will cover other key sectors in England, amid pressure to change the system as thousands are "pinged" by the NHS Covid-19 app
A record 618,903 alerts were sent to users of the app in England and Wales in the week to 14 July
A study suggests school pupils who are close contacts of positive test could do daily rapid testing as safe alternative to self-isolation
Other researches say an eight-week gap between doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is best for tackling the Delta variant
Italy is introducing a mandatory vaccination certificate from 6 August
24 July 2021: A scheme to allow key workers to avoid self-isolation has been significantly expanded following criticism it did not go far enough.
London Mayor Khan urges PM to change isolation rules earlier
Airports having their busiest weekend since Covid
Latitude is the UK's first full-capacity festival since 2019
25 July 2021: Health Secretary Sajid Javid apologises for his poor choice of word when he said people should no longer "cower" from coronavirus
UK will be paying for Covid for decades, say MPs
LA man who mocked Covid-19 vaccines dies of virus
Clashes in Paris over Covid measures
26 July 2021: Testing begins today for staff in the food supply chain and transport and emergency service workers
The scheme allows staff in exempt sectors to avoid self-isolation if they are in contact with a positive case
Senior ministers will assess how exemptions are working and if they can expand the scheme to fully-vaccinated key workers later
The RMT union, which represents transport staff, says there is "utter confusion" over who qualifies for daily testing
The number of new Covid-19 cases has fallen for the fifth day in a row in the UK for the first time since February
France's parliament has adopted a controversial law which will introduce Covid passports for entry to bars and restaurants
Tunisia's president has sacked the prime minister and suspended parliament, after violent mass protests over Covid surge
27 July 2021: Olympic champion Tom Dean's victory in the 200m freestyle in Tokyo despite twice contracting coronavirus last year
More 'pinged' workers to get daily Covid tests
The number of confirmed daily cases has fallen for six days in a row - now standing at 24,950
28 July 2021: Ministers to discuss allowing fully vaccinated travellers from the EU and US to avoid quarantine when they arrive in England
Currently, people who have been fully vaccinated in the UK do not have to isolate when travelling from the US and EU
But that exemption does not apply to people who have been vaccinated outside the UK
The aviation industry is pushing for a relaxation of these rules following a trial of checking the vaccination status of passengers
Boris Johnson says 16 August is "nailed on" as the end of isolation for fully-vaccinated people who have contact with a positive Covid case
The daily number of Covid cases recorded in the UK has fallen for a seventh day in a row, to 23,511
A further 131 deaths were reported within 28 days of a positive test, the highest number since March.
Sydney's lockdown has been extended by another month as Covid cases continue to rise
Americans living in Covid hotspots have been advised to wear masks indoors again
29 July 2021: Almost 700,000 alerts were sent by the NHS Covid app in England and Wales in the week ending 21 July
The government says people should self-isolate once "pinged"
But the rising numbers have caused disruption, being labelled a "pingdemic"
Fully jabbed people from the EU and US will not have to isolate when they arrive in Britain from 2 August
Separate rules will remain for people who have been to France
Mr Raab also says students will get "advance warning" if they need to get jabs before moving into halls of residence
The number of people on UK furlough falls to 1.9m - down 3m since March
Three members of the Australian Olympic team are isolating after close contact with US pole vaulter Sam Kendricks, who has tested positive
The Oxford-AZ vaccine team says, as of today, it has released one billion doses
30 July 2021: Labour is calling for England to follow Wales and bring forward the date on which fully vaccinated people can avoid isolation
Fully-jabbed people in Wales will not need to self-isolate after contact with someone with Covid from 7 August
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says there is no reason for England to bring forward its date from 16 August
More pregnant women should get the vaccine, England's chief midwife says, as estimates suggest the majority are unvaccinated
Japan has widened a state of emergency in Tokyo and expanded it to new regions as it faces a surge in cases
A new Covid outbreak of the Delta variant in China is being described as the worst since Wuhan
UK cases rose by more than 31,000, the government announced on Thursday - and a further 85 people died
31 July 2021: First Night of proms opens with audience
Covid index - June 2021 - August 2021
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© Jo Edkins 2024