Covid index - May 2021 - July 2021
1 June 2021: The idea the "job is done is wrong" on the coronavirus pandemic in the UK, a scientist says
Prof Adam Finn warns many are still vulnerable and unlocking too soon could require a U-turn later
It comes as government adviser Prof Ravi Gupta calls for the 21 June easing in England to be delayed
But a hospitality industry chief warns it would be devastating for the sector if the 21 June date is pushed back
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon prepares to update the country on Tuesday on the latest plans for easing restrictions
The nation could move to level one restrictions next week but there are warnings the change could be delayed in some areas
A dedicated terminal for passengers arriving to the UK from "red list" countries opens at Heathrow
Peru has more than doubled its Covid death toll following a review, making it the country with the world's highest death rate per capita
In Sweden, bar opening hours are extended as curbs ease, as Italy sees a return to indoor dining
2 June 2021: 115 of the 11,214 deaths registered in the UK in the week ending 21 May mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate
The newly-released figure for virus-related deaths is the lowest since September and down by 49 on the week before
It comes after yesterday saw no UK Covid deaths announced for the first time since the pandemic began
Tutoring sessions for pupils are part of a £1.4bn programme to help children in England catch up from the pandemic
The UK is on the brink of reaching the milestone of three-quarters of adults receiving their first Covid vaccine
In a speech later Health Secretary Matt Hancock is expected to praise the vaccine rollout and the NHS
Debate continues over England's planned lockdown easing on 21 June amid rising Covid cases in some areas
The state of Victoria, Australia, will extend its lockdown by another week as authorities battle a growing virus outbreak
China's Sinovac Covid vaccine has been given approval for emergency use by the World Health organization
3 June 2021: Holidaymakers and travel companies expect to learn later whether any new countries will be added to England's green list for foreign travel
There are fears that Portugal could be moved down to the amber travel list
The Labour Party is calling for the amber list to be scrapped altogether
"I understand why people want to travel, of course I do, but we’ve got to make sure we keep this country safe," Matt Hancock says
Making sure coronavirus vaccines are available "at cost" to poorer nations is a priority, the UK health secretary also says
More than 20 healthcare organisations call for stricter UK guidelines on face masks and other personal personal protective equipment
The education recovery commissioner for England resigns in a row over the lack of "credible" Covid catch-up funding
Amazon is to expand its Covid testing lab facilities in the UK
4 June 2021: Portugal moves from the UK's green list to amber from Tuesday - effectively banning holidays there
No countries will be added to the green list, dashing British holidaymakers' hopes
Travel bosses say the government is failing to stick to its own rules on warning travellers
The government had previously said there would be a "green watch list" to help people plan
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick defends the move, warning of a new variant first identified in Nepal
The UK's medicines regulator authorises the Pfizer vaccine for use in 12 to 15-year-olds
The MHRA says clinical trial data shows the jab is "safe and effective in this age group"
Up to 30 people will be able to meet outdoors in Wales from Monday
The UK records its highest daily number of cases since March, with 5,274 reported on Thursday
5 June 2021: The decision on easing restrictions in England on 21 June is finely balanced, the boss of NHS Providers says
Vaccines appear to have "broken the chain" between catching Covid and becoming seriously ill, Chris Hopson says
Despite this, there are a "number of concerning signs" related to the Delta variant which is spreading in the UK, epidemiologists warn
New figures suggest that in just a week, the number of coronavirus infections in the UK has risen by as much as two-thirds
Daily reported test results also suggest a sharp rise with 6,278 confirmed cases on Friday
Scotland's restriction levels are easing for millions despite an overall rise in cases, with people in Glasgow now able to meet in others' homes
Surge testing is being rolled out in parts of Berkshire to tackle the spread of the Delta variant, first identified in India
Airlines are putting on extra capacity to help British travellers return before Portugal moves off the green list for UK travellers on Tuesday
The UK's medicines regulator has given its approval for 12 to 15-year-olds to receive the Pfizer vaccine
6 June 2021: The Delta variant is 40% more transmissible, the health secretary says, adding that protection against it is just as good with two doses of a vaccine
Matt Hancock says the variant (from India), makes life more challenging, and the government is "open" to delaying England's 21 June unlocking if needed
Asked if measures such as face coverings and working from home could continue in the long term, he says he "wouldn't rule that out"
Vaccination is being opened up to the under 30s in England from next week
Boris Johnson will urge wealthy countries to commit to vaccinating the world against Covid-19 by the end of next year, at a G7 summit
Charities have criticised "devastating" aid cuts being made to help the UK deal with the coronavirus crisis at home
Pupils in England should take Covid tests following the half-term break, says Education Secretary Gavin Williamson
More than 40 million people in the UK have now had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine
The Bafta Television Awards are due to be held later, with some stars attending in person and some virtually because of coronavirus measures
7 June 2021: Britons scramble for flights home from Portugal before the need to quarantine for 10 days comes into force early tomorrow
The 21 June easing of restrictions in England should be delayed, leading scientists say
Major Indian states that have been virus hotpots are easing restrictions as Covid case numbers continue to fall
Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson are both due to give coronavirus updates in the Commons later
People over 70 from Pakistani and Bangladeshi backgrounds are less likely than peers to have had their second vaccine, data shows
Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces opposition from senior Tories over government cuts to the UK's international aid budget
Ministers argue it is hard to justify spending as much as promised, given record levels of peacetime borrowing during the pandemic
UK online daters will be able to display a badge on their profiles to show if they have been vaccinated against Covid
8 June 2021: Portugal moved from green to amber. Afghanistan, Bahrain, Costa Rica, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Trinidad and Tobago to red. (SI2021/670)
Portugal has moved onto the amber list as UK holidaymakers scramble to get home
Those returning to the UK from Portugal must now take two tests and quarantine for 10 days
People in England aged 25-29 can book a Covid vaccine from today
The vaccine rollout reaching the under-30s is "a watershed moment", says NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens
The number of Covid-related deaths registered in the UK in week ending 28 May was 106 - nine fewer than the previous week
Boris Johnson is expected to consult his cabinet this weekend on whether to push back the June 21 "Freedom Day"
Unicef is calling for G7 rich countries to send 20% of their vaccines to poorer nations by August
The five-day office week could become the norm again within two years, the Centre for Cities think tank has told the BBC
9 June 2021: About 8 in 10 adults in the UK had antibodies to coronavirus by 17 May, according to the Office for National Statistics
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick says there is no plan to reintroduce local or regional lockdowns in England
Jenrick says people in Covid hotspots in north-west England should use their judgement on meeting indoors and travel
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham says people should be cautious and vigilant but should "carry on living their lives"
The military is sent in to boost surge testing in Delta variant hotspots in the North West
The government has advised tougher restrictions in Greater Manchester and parts of Lancashire
Burnham calls for extra and faster vaccinations but Jenrick says the government will not boost jabs in one geographical area
Meanwhile the army is sending personnel to boost vaccine drives in Lothian and Lanarkshire in Scotland
The US eases travel restrictions for 61 countries as the roll-out of coronavirus vaccines continues - but not the UK
10 June 2021: Matt Hancock is answering questions from a committee of MPs about his handling of the pandemic
He tells them he doesn't understand the testimony made two weeks ago by Dominic Cummings, the PM's ex-chief adviser
The health secretary begins his session by denying Cummings' suggestion that he lied to the prime minister
Hancock says there was never a national shortage of PPE because of the actions the government took
And he says he followed clinical advice on patients being released from hospitals to care homes and was told they would be tested
Telling people to stop social contact felt like "the most extraordinary thing I've ever said", Hancock says
Boris Johnson has said it is clear Covid cases are rising and hospitalisations increasing in the UK
The UK and US will set up a new task force later to reopen travel between the two countries as part of an "Atlantic Charter"
The gap between the first and second doses of the vaccine is to be cut to six weeks in Northern Ireland
11 June 2021: The G7 summit is taking place in the resort of Carbis Bay in Cornwall, in the south-west of England
Global coronavirus vaccinations and climate change are due to be the focus of the summit between the leaders of the seven nations
The UK has announced it will donate at least 100 million surplus coronavirus vaccine doses within the next year
June 21: Delay lockdown lifting, urge local health leaders
UK economy grows in April as shops reopen
12 June 2021: End of England's Covid lockdown could be delayed by one month to 21 June
Unvaccinated most at risk from Delta variant
Vaccine passports considered for use at big events
Wuhan strain R0 of 2.4-2.6, Europe 3, Alpha (Kent) 4-5 Delta (India) 5-8
13 June 2021: Over-40s in Scotland urged to get second vaccine sooner
Boris Johnson has said government must "be cautious" in ending all Covid restrictions in England on 21 June
Couples preparing to wed are among those who could be affected by England's unlocking being delayed
Huge queues at pop-up vaccine site in Sheffield
Shipping disruption could last until Christmas because of Covid outbreak in Guangdong
14 June 2021: Senior ministers agree to delay the lifting of all coronavirus restrictions in England beyond 21 June
Most current rules will remain for another four weeks after this date, the BBC is told
There is no official confirmation of the decision, or any caveats or exceptions that may apply
It will allow more people to be vaccinated and receive second doses amid rising cases of the Delta variant
Headache, sore throat, runny nose are now the most commonly reported symptoms linked to Covid infection in the UK, researchers say
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hold a press conference at 18:00 BST, where he's set to confirm the delay
The Night Time Industries Association warns it will legally challenge any delay
Leaders at the G7 pledge to donate one billion Covid vaccine doses to poorer nations
15 June 2021: All adults in England should be able to book their Covid-19 jab by the end of this week, NHS boss Sir Simon Stevens says
He says vaccine supply is constrained, so the NHS is pacing itself, but it is time to finish the job
The regrettable delay to easing lockdown in England is so that the government does not find it has to reverse its decision, Michael Gove says
Industry figures say live music, theatre and other events have been dealt a "hammer blow" by the delay
Without delay, it's possible the country could have returned to hundreds of deaths a day, Sage scientist Professor Graham Medley says
The PM confirmed on Monday a four-week delay to the lifting of all restrictions beyond 21 June due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant
The extension of restrictions will be put to a Commons vote, which could trigger a Tory backbench rebellion
There were 108 deaths registered involving Covid-19 in the week ending 4 June 2021, two more than the previous week, ONS figures show
16 June 2021: People in England aged 21 and over can now book their Covid vaccine, the NHS says
Covid vaccinations are to become compulsory for staff in care homes for older people in England, the BBC has been told
MPs will vote later on extending emergency Covid laws in England for another four weeks, amid concern over rising cases
UK inflation jumped to 2.1% in the year to May, as the opening up of the economy from lockdown sparked a rise in consumer spending
Researchers say they have found another life-saving therapy to treat Covid, which could help one in three of those in hospital with the virus
It is monoclonal antibody treatment, costing between £1,000 and £2,000 per patient
Scottish hospitality industry is warning of the potential of "another lost summer" as ministers prepare to delay easing coronavirus restrictions
The number of Americans who have died from Covid-19 has reached 600,012 - the most of any nation
17 June 2021: Scientists tracking the Covid epidemic in England say Covid is growing
Much of it being driven by younger people who are not yet immunised
The analysis, carried out by experts at Imperial College London, looked at the period 20 May to 7 June
However, tentative signs in the latest daily data suggest growth may be beginning to slow
ONS analysis shows that the risk of getting infected is highest in the first three weeks after vaccination and falls after a second jab
Parliament rubber stamped the extension of lockdown rules in England until 19 July in a vote last night
Covid restrictions in Wales are unlikely to be significantly relaxed until July because of the Delta variant, we understand
The Welsh NHS is under substantial pressure as services return to pre-pandemic levels, its chief executive warns
Two more regions of Russia introduce mandatory vaccinations for people in public-facing jobs
French authorities believe they are gaining control of the virus, and it is no longer compulsory to wear masks outdoors except in crowded areas
International health agencies warn many African countries face a "growing crisis" of severe oxygen shortages
18 June 2021: A single Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine dose reduces chances of catching coronavirus and going to hospital with it by about 75%, data suggests
All adults in England can book a coronavirus jab from today
It is a "watershed moment", according to NHS boss Sir Simon Stevens
There has been a 79% rise in cases of the Delta variant across the UK in a week
And the number of people in hospital in England with the Delta variant has doubled in a week
Prof Chris Whitty says we are seeing a further surge but the height of it is "uncertain"
A decision to vaccinate all 12 to 17-year-olds is unlikely to be recommended by the JCVI imminently, the BBC understands
Israel is to provide a million Covid vaccines to the Palestinian Authority, the office of Israel's new prime minister says
London's famous Notting Hill Carnival will not go ahead on the streets for the second year running
19 June 2021: A new wave of infections is definitely under way in England, says Prof Adam Finn of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation
But epidemiologist Dr Mike Tildesley says he is "cautiously hopeful" hospital admissions will not be on the same scale as in January
Labour is calling for workers to have the right to work flexibly before coronavirus restrictions are fully lifted in England
Some people on furlough are avoiding a return to work because it has been "great" for them, says Tory MP Andrea Leadsom
A single Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine dose reduces chances of catching coronavirus and going to hospital with it by about 75%, data suggests
Italy is to introduce a five-day Covid quarantine for travellers from the UK from Monday as concerns over Delta variant increase
The EU has lost a legal battle to force AstraZeneca to supply 120m vaccine doses to bloc this month
The Palestinian Authority has cancelled a deal under which Israel was to give it one million Pfizer jabs because they were too close to expiry
Lord Lloyd Webber has rejected offer to make new show a pilot event, but says musical will abide by current social distancing measures
20 June 2021: Dr Susan Hopkins of Public Health England says Covid restrictions are more likely to end if 70% of adults are vaccinated by 19 July
Dr Hopkins also says she wants all over-30s double vaccinated by 19 July - currently 59% of UK adults have been double jabbed
More than 700,000 Covid-19 jabs were booked on Friday, after vaccinations in England were opened up to people aged 18-20
Walk-in vaccine clinics are open across England this weekend, in a major push to offer jabs to all remaining adults
Public Health England say there has been a 79% rise in one week in cases of the Delta variant, driven by younger age groups
The number of deaths related to Covid-19 has passed 500,000 in Brazil, with intensive care units running close to capacity
Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has demanded compensation from the Scottish government after travel was banned between Glasgow and Manchester
The government has denied allegations that Health Secretary Matt Hancock withheld information about the effectiveness of the vaccination programme
China has administered more than one billion doses of vaccine against the coronavirus
The outbreak in Brazil could worsen, amid slow vaccination and the start of winter: only 15% of adults are fully vaccinated.
Civil weddings will be permitted to take place outdoors for the first time in England and Wales from next month - allowing for more guests
The UK recorded more than 10,000 daily cases for the third day in a row on Saturday, with scientists stating a third wave is under way
21 June 2021: 30 person limit removed on weddings and wakes.
Relaxation on quarantine rules in care homes. (SI2021/705)
Flu could be a bigger problem than Covid this winter, expert warns
Lockdowns mean flu immunity in population is "likely to have dropped"
Doctors and hospital trusts say the government must begin planning for an autumn jab rollout now
UK government is planning autumn Covid booster shots - but awaiting trial results
Delivering Covid booster vaccines and flu jabs at the same time would add challenge says Prof Anthony Harnden
Venues for the delayed Tokyo Olympics will be allowed up to 10,000 spectators - half their normal capacity
It comes after the Olympic Village saw its first positive Covid case in a foreign athlete, a Ugandan who had been fully vaccinated
A ban on non-essential travel between Scotland and Manchester and Salford has come into force
The body of a Belgian soldier who threatened the scientist leading the country's Covid-19 response has been found
Hundreds attend Stonehenge despite advice
22 June 2021: Health Secretary Matt Hancock says Covid data is encouraging, despite a rise in cases
He says the growth in cases seems to be slowing, while hospitalisations and deaths remain low
New data from the ONS show UK Covid deaths at lowest level since beginning of September
ONS data also show more than 80% of the UK adult population has some Covid antibodies
England footballers Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell will miss tonight's game v Czech Republic as they have to self-isolate
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to confirm a delay to the easing of Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland later
Originally set for 28 June, it could be delayed until at least mid-July so more people can be vaccinated
Many poorer countries do not have enough vaccine doses to continue programmes, the World Health Organization says
Australians doctors have reported a surge in people cancelling vaccine appointments, amid caution over the AstraZeneca jab
23 June 2021: UK travel bosses call on the government to expand the green list and reopen international travel
They say it is "now or never" to save what is left of the summer season - not just for holidaymakers but to protect jobs
The government reviews the green, amber and red lists every three weeks, meaning a review is due in the coming days
Ministers are working on plans to waive the quarantine rules for fully vaccinated people arriving from amber countries, Matt Hancock has said
Meanwhile, scientists are trialling whether a drug called Ivermectin could help treat Covid symptoms
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi is to lead a Downing Street coronavirus briefing at 17:00
Sweeping new restrictions are set to be imposed across Sydney as Australia's largest city grapples with a fast-growing Covid outbreak.
Questions are being asked over whether Wembley should host the Euro 2020 final, amid concerns over Delta variant cases in the UK
The UK government has raised the capacity for the semi-finals and final - all due to be at Wembley next month - to 60,000
24 June 2021: England's rules on foreign travel are set to be reviewed, after industry calls for the green list to be widened
An update on the traffic light system that shapes rules on quarantine and Covid tests for those returning to the UK is expected this afternoon
Ministers have been considering whether to exempt fully-vaccinated travellers from amber countries from quarantine
Germany's chancellor suggests all EU countries should make British travellers quarantine on arrival to slow the spread of the Delta variant
Around two million people in England may have "long Covid", a survey suggests
Outdated hospital oxygen systems in England pose a risk to patients, a safety watchdog warns
25 June 2021: The UK's green list for travel is being expanded to include Spain's Balearic islands, Barbados, Bermuda, Madeira and Malta
Travellers returning from green list countries will not need to quarantine
Travel bosses say the changes are not enough but the transport secretary says the government takes a "maximum transparency approach"
A total of 111,157 confirmed and probable cases of the Covid-19 Delta variant have now been identified in the UK, Public Health England says
Delta cases have risen 46% in a week across the UK and there have been 514 more admissions to hospital with the variant
This weekend, anyone 18 or over in England who has not yet had their first vaccination is encouraged to visit one of hundreds of walk-in sites
A watchdog is warning there are still significant weakness in the performance of NHS Test and Trace in England
Sydney's central and eastern suburbs, including Bondi Beach, will be locked down after a jump in Covid cases
26 June 2021: Matt Hancock kiss: Covid families warn it could undermine efforts against virus
'Grab a jab' for all over-18s opens in England
Australia extends Sydney lockdown as Delta outbreak grows
Covid vaccine: Novavax trial volunteer's holiday in jeopardy as he can't have normal jab
27 June 2021: The priority is to get the country back to normal as soon as possible, Sajid Javid says, as he takes on the job of health secretary
Javid says he has "a lot of work to do" as he starts work on tackling the coronavirus pandemic
The former chancellor replaces Matt Hancock who resigned after breaching coronavirus social distancing guidelines
The Sun newspaper showed pictures of him kissing colleague Gina Coladangelo
In his exit statement, Hancock said: "We owe it to people who have sacrificed so much in this pandemic to be honest when we have let them down."
The PM did not sack him but said he was "sorry" to receive his colleague's resignation
The Department of Health will look into how the footage from Matt Hancock's office leaked, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis says
The Australian state of New South Wales reports 30 new Covid cases on the second day of Greater Sydney's two-week lockdown
28 June 2021: New Health Secretary Sajid Javid says he wants coronavirus restrictions lifted as soon as possible and irreversibly
Javid is to update MPs later on plans for lifting the last restrictions in England, scheduled for 19 July
The reopening was pushed back from 21 June amid rising cases of the Delta variant - but a progress review is taking place
Labour has called for an probe into ministers' use of private email addresses following claims made after Matt Hancock's resignation
The Federation of Small Businesses urges the government to give more support in light of delays to the planned lifting of rules
Sydney's Delta variant outbreak grows to 128 cases, with other infections recorded in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia
AstraZeneca and Oxford University begin trials of a modified vaccine to act against the Beta variant, first identified in South Africa
The UK defence secretary and several senior military officers are self-isolating after the head of the armed forces tested positive
Wimbledon returns after last year's cancellation - initially with a 50% capacity crowd as one of the events taking part in a government pilot
29 June 2021: Former schools catch up tsar Sir Kevan Collins, who quit over a lack of funding for pandemic recovery plans, is speaking to MPs
He tells the Education Select Committee more vulnerable pupils have had a "very difficult time" during the pandemic
Sir Kevan tells the MPs he recommended the school day being extended by half an hour to give more teaching and tackle inequality
Children's commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza says there is an urgent need for children to get back to normal
Schools minister Nick Gibb says regular tests of children in contact with those who have tested positive could replace isolation
He says a trial of daily contact testing as an alternative to self-isolation ends tomorrow and the data will be examined
Police are investigating a video showing England's chief minister Prof Chris Whitty being accosted by two men in a park
The quality of face masks healthcare workers wear makes a huge difference to their risk of Covid infection, a study finds
Restrictions have returned in parts of Australia due to a rise in cases of the more infectious variant
30 June 2021: Destinations added to the green list:
Europe: The Balearic Islands (which include Ibiza, Menorca, Majorca and Formentera), Malta and Madeira; Caribbean: Antigua, Barbados, Barbuda, Dominica and Grenada; UK overseas territories: Anguilla and Montserrat, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Pitcairn, and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Destinations added to the red list:
Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Haiti, Mongolia, Tunisia and Uganda. (SI2021/766)
New research finds life expectancy in the North West declined more during 2020 than the rest of England
The study says Greater Manchester's Covid death rate has been 25% higher than elsewhere in England during the pandemic
Disabled people's needs have been neglected in the pandemic, BBC research suggests
Malta, Madeira, and the Balearic Islands are among the countries added to the UK's travel green list
It means travellers no longer have to self-isolate on their return to the UK from these areas
Half of Australia is now in lockdown amid a surge in Delta virus variant cases
The UK reported a further 20,479 cases on Tuesday, alongside another 23 deaths
North Korean state media reports that Kim Jong-un has berated officials over lapses amid a "great crisis" related to Covid
Covid index - May 2021 - July 2021
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© Jo Edkins 2024