Covid index - February 2021 - April 2021
1 Mar 2021: The P.1 coronavirus variant first detected in Brazil is 'concerning', Nadhim Zahawi says, after cases are found in England and Scotland
It is similar in terms of its mutations to the variant first detected in South Africa, the vaccines minister says
Health officials are trying to trace one of the cases in England infected with the variant
They are one of six cases of the P1 variant found in the UK in February
The UK's vaccination rollout will receive an extra £1.65bn in the Budget
Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies can take place at licensed venues in Wales
There were another 6,035 cases of coronavirus in the UK on Sunday, a further 144 people died within 28 days of a positive test
More than 20 million people had received their first dose of the vaccine
2 Mar 2021: Covid deaths in UK are down by a quarter, according to the Office for National Statistics
There were 4,447 Covid deaths registered in the UK in the week of 19 February - down on the previous week (6,113)
Health officials are still trying to trace one person infected with a concerning coronavirus variant first found in Brazil
The UK is preparing to hand out £408m to help museums, theatres and galleries in England reopen as restrictions ease
Parts of the UK reliant on tourism have been most affected by the Covid jobs crisis, analysis by the BBC suggests
The devolved government in Northern Ireland is due to publish its plan to exit lockdown
3 Mar 2021: Isle of Man in 'circuit-breaker' lockdown after spike in cases
Covid vaccine being tested in patients with low immunity
France approves AstraZeneca vaccine for over-65s
The Brazil coronavirus variant now found in the UK appears more contagious and may evade immunity provided by past infection, scientists say.
Covid vaccines cut risk of serious illness by 80% in over-80s
Joe Biden promises vaccines for all US adults by end of May
4 Mar 2021: UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak says the "shock that coronavirus has done to our economy has been significant" and "won't be fixed overnight"
It "will be the work of many years, decades and governments to fully pay all that money back," Sunak says
The UK's tax burden is to rise to its highest level since the 1960s, the Office for Budget Responsibility says
A marked decline in Covid-19 infections between January and February may have slowed, scientists tracking coronavirus in England say
New vaccines to fight variants such as the one from Brazil can be fast-tracked through the approval system, says UK regulator the MHRA
US President Joe Biden has criticised the lifting of mask requirements in the states of Texas and Mississippi, calling it "Neanderthal thinking"
Masks, social distancing and other measures are still important, despite the role vaccines are playing in containing the pandemic, he says
Germany is changing its stance on the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, allowing over-65s to receive the jab, Chancellor Angela Merkel says
5 Mar 2021: Unions have reacted angrily to the government recommending a 1% pay rise for NHS staff in England
The British Medical Association says it is a "kick in the teeth"
But ministers have defended the proposal at a time when the economy is under "huge pressure"
People with asthma are being wrongly refused the Covid vaccine by some GPs
Dozens of Covid contracts had not been published when the PM said they were "on the record for everyone to see"
Cyprus says it will open to vaccinated Britons from the start of May
Italy blocks AstraZeneca Covid vaccine export to Australia
Brazilian president tells his country to "stop whining" about coronavirus, as he criticises local restrictions
6 Mar 2021: Hospital leaders in England back demands for a bigger pay rise for health workers - saying ministers previously factored in a pay rise of 2.1%
NHS Providers told the BBC it seemed "absolutely wrong" to take from frontline staff "a pay rise that was due to them"
More unions have put pressure on the government to reconsider its planned 1% pay rise for NHS staff in England
The BMA, the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Midwives and Unison are calling for a "fair pay deal" in an open letter
The health secretary defended the pay increase as "what we think is affordable"
A mystery person in the UK infected with the Covid variant of concern first found in Brazil is traced
Rapid Covid testing is now available to all workplaces in England
California to reopen outdoor attractions in April
7 Mar 2021: UK Education Secretary Gavin Williamson tells the BBC's Andrew Marr the reopening of schools in England on Monday is intended to be irreversible
He says longer school days and shorter holidays could be among measures to help pupils in England catch up on lost learning
Two-thirds of parents are worried about lost learning, but most are happy to see their children go back to the classroom, a survey suggests
Boris Johnson urges caution as England takes the first step on his roadmap to ending lockdown with the reopening of schools
Labour's shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth condemns the proposed 1% pay rise for nurses in England
Meanwhile, nurses are calling for updated guidance on protective equipment, arguing current recommendations are out of date
People aged 56 to 59 are being invited to make vaccination appointments this week in England as the rollout continues
The US Senate has approved a $1.9tn Covid relief package, including payments of $1,400 (£1,012) for most Americans
8 Mar 2021: Facemask rules extended to polling stations (SI2021/247)
Step 1a: Schools start to re-open
Millions of children in England are returning to classroom teaching after more than two months of home-schooling
Primary schools are expected to be open for all pupils, while secondary schools will have a phased return to class
Secondary school pupils in England will take regular rapid Covid tests and need to wear masks in class
Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the return as an important first step towards a "sense of normality"
Teaching unions have called for checks to be made during the Easter holiday for any spikes in infections
Hundreds of thousands of care home residents in England will be able to receive indoor visits from a nominated friend or relative from today
Scotland's first minister has said mass gatherings of Rangers fans celebrating the side's Premiership win were "disgraceful"
Police say arrests were made and fines issued after fans took to the streets in breach of Covid rules
The UK reported 5,177 new Covid cases on Sunday, while 22.2 (million?) first vaccine doses have been given
9 Mar 2021: The UK government's top experts are appearing before MPs examining the government's roadmap for easing lockdown in England
England's chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty says it is likely there will be another surge of the virus in the UK
Modelling suggests it could come later in the summer, as society opens up, or later in the autumn or winter, he says
Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance says the roadmap out of lockdown in England is "broadly" in line with scientists' recommendations
3,196 Covid deaths were registered in the UK in the week of 26 Feb, down from 4,448 in the previous week, ONS figures show
Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland are expected to be eased slightly to allow more people to meet outdoors
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will update Scotland's parliament about the state of the pandemic and lockdown later
New US guidance says fully vaccinated people can meet without masks and return to some sense of normalcy
Globally, there have now been more than 117 million recorded cases of Covid-19, and 2.6 million deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University
10 Mar 2021: MPs say NHS Test and Trace appears to have failed to achieve its stated aim of preventing lockdowns in England
The Public Accounts Committee said its £37bn budget was "unimaginable" and warned the taxpayer could not be treated like an "ATM machine"
But the government says the system is helping to reduce Covid-19 infection rates
A fresh row has broken out between the UK and the EU over exporting vaccines made in the UK
European Council President Charles Michel wrongly claimed the UK had an "outright ban" on exports of jabs
More men died from Covid in the UK's first year of the pandemic, but women's wellbeing was more negatively affected, according to the ONS
Health systems in most of Brazil's largest cities are close to collapse due to Covid-19 cases, a report warns
Globally, there have now been more than 117 million recorded cases of Covid-19, and 2.6 million deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University
A further 231 people have died with coronavirus in the UK, and there were 5,766 new infections recorded in the last 24 hours
The coronavirus variant first discovered in Kent is between 30% and 100% more deadly than previous variants, new research suggests.
11 Mar 2021: The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared Covid-19 a pandemic one year ago today
Since then, there have been more than 116 million cases and 2.5 million deaths across nearly 200 countries
The US has the highest number of deaths, with 522,818 now recorded
But Brazil, badly hit by the pandemic, recorded more than 2,000 deaths in a single day, taking its total to 268,370
More than 150 million doses of vaccine have now been administered
Denmark has suspended the use of a batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine after a woman who received a dose died from a blood clot
AstraZeneca says its vaccine is safe and the EU drugs regulator says there is no evidence of a link between the vaccine and the death
In the UK, politicians in Northern Ireland are discussing a full return to school
Research suggests cancer patients are less protected against Covid-19 than other people after one dose of the Pfizer vaccine
An early second dose appears to boost cancer patients' protection, and cancer charities are calling for a review of the UK's vaccine strategy
12 Mar 2021: Wales's First Minister Mark Drakeford will set out a detailed timetable for easing restrictions in his lunchtime news conference
In Wales from Saturday 13 March, four people from two different households will be able to meet up outdoors to socialise, including in gardens
Outdoor sports facilities will also be able to reopen in Wales and designated solo visitors will be allowed to enter care homes
"Stay at home" guidance will become "stay local" from Saturday, Mark Drakeford says
Wales will also allow hairdressers to open from Monday 15 March for appointments only - but non-essential retail remains closed until 12 April
Scotland has increased the number of people who can meet outside, including in private gardens, allowing four adults from two households to gather
US President Joe Biden has said he will order states to make vaccines available to all adults by 1 May
He aims to declare "independence" from the virus by 4 July
13 Mar 2021: Wales begins easing its lockdown, with the stay-at-home rule replaced with a requirement to stay local
It means up to four people from two different households can now meet up outdoors to socialise, including in gardens
Outdoor sports facilities such as golf, tennis and basketball can also reopen
Welsh hairdressers will be able to open from Monday - but non-essential retail remains closed until 12 April
A UK national day of reflection to be held on 23 March, the anniversary of UK's first national lockdown
Vigil for Sarah Everard cancelled after Reclaim These Streets unsuccessfully challenged Covid restrictions forbidding gatherings in the High Court
More than 48,000 businesses in England have signed up for workplace Covid testing, the health secretary says
Italy to shut shops, restaurants and schools from Monday amid an infection spike
14 Mar 2021: People in England in priority group six - aged 16-64 and with underlying health conditions - are being called forward for their vaccine
Charities including Cancer Research UK, Mencap and the Terrence Higgins Trust are encouraging them to take up their jab
Health Secretary Matt Hancock says their support is helping to save lives
Met Police face criticism for their handling of women at a vigil for Sarah Everard, officially called off under Covid restrictions
Labour's shadow domestic violence minister Jess Phillips says "the police got it wrong at every single turn"
The home secretary asks for a report on their actions; Police say they made four arrests to protect safety
The full force of the pandemic is yet to be felt on the High Street, accountants PwC say
More than 17,500 chain stores and other venues closed in Britain last year, according to new data
Ireland's vaccine committee proposes suspending use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, against WHO guidance
15 Mar 2021: The Netherlands is the latest country to suspend use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine
It comes amid reports of blood clotting - but the World Health Organization says it is safe
The UK medicines regulator says people should carry on getting their vaccines and evidence "does not suggest" the jab causes clots
Thailand is to resume administering AstraZeneca on Tuesday after a brief suspension
Vaccination expert Prof Anthony Harnden has told the BBC he will carry on using the AstraZeneca jab
Prof Harnden also says all over-50's will be vaccinated 'in the next few weeks'
Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida has defended how officers responded to a crowd, which gathered during lockdown restrictions
Hospitality bosses in the UK threaten to take the government to court over plans to reopen after lockdown
More pupils in Wales and Scotland are returning to the classroom on Monday
Former US president Donald Trump is being urged to encourage his supporters to get vaccinated
Globally, there have been 2,653,644 deaths and 119,874,650 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University
16 Mar 2021: Experts from the World Health Organisation and the European Medicines Agency are meeting to review the AstraZeneca vaccine
Eleven European countries have halted the vaccine rollout after a number of cases of blood clots
The UK Medicine regulator and WHO experts have said there is no evidence of a link
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has also insisted the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe
The EU's ambassador to the UK has said their decision is prompted by "the principle of precaution"
But the director general of Italy's medicines authority says the decision to suspend the vaccine rollout is a "political one"
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has been photographed receiving the AstraZeneca jab - the first person in the country to do so.
The Scottish first minister is to set out proposed dates for the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.
The England Children's Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, says the pandemic has had "a profound impact" on young people
Portugal has been removed from the 'red list' of countries from where travel to England is banned
17 Mar 2021: All people aged over 50 in England are now being invited to book their coronavirus vaccine
It comes after Health Secretary Matt Hancock stressed the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is safe
He urged people to "listen to the regulators" and "get the jab" when it is offered to them
It came as 13 countries suspended use of the vaccine over fears around blood clots
The UK's medicines regulator, the MHRA, has said evidence "does not suggest" the jab is linked to clots
The EU's medicines regulator also reiterated on Tuesday that there was "no indication" the vaccine causes blood clots
About 17 million people across the EU and the UK have received a dose of the vaccine
AstraZeneca said the rate of blood clots was lower then the number expected among the general population
Former US President Donald Trump has encouraged his supporters to get vaccinated
In a TV interview, Mr Trump said the vaccine was "safe" and "something that works"
A further 5,294 Covid cases were reported in the UK on Tuesday, alongside another 110 deaths
Globally, there have been 2,670,459 deaths and 120,697,267 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University
18 Mar 2021: UK government faces questions over vaccine supply after NHS warns of a reduction in England in April
Five million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab, produced in India, have been held up by four weeks
But the government says it's still on track to offer a first dose to all adults by the end of July
Health Secretary Matt Hancock says UK is "ahead of schedule" to offer a first dose to all over 50s by 15 April
There are concerns over more than 500 "do not resuscitate" decisions made in England during the pandemic
Tanzania's president dies following rumours he had contracted Covid-19
Vaccine passports should be given to citizens across the EU "without discrimination", officials say
The EMA is due to release the findings of an investigation into cases of blood clots in a handful of jab recipients
19 Mar 2021: Additional measures: omit The Azores, Madeira, Mauritius & Portugal; insert Ethiopia, Oman, Qatar & Somalia.
Prohibition on arrivals: omit The Azores, Madeira & Portugal; insert Ethiopia, Oman & Qatar. (SI2021/348)
Several European countries are to resume using the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after EU regulators give the go-ahead
Germany, France, Italy and Spain are among the countries restarting their rollout of the jab
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to receive his first dose of the vaccine later
He is urging people to get inoculated after reassuring the public the AstraZeneca jab is "safe"
UK government borrowing hits the highest February level on record
Paris is set to go into a month-long Covid lockdown as the country fears a third wave
France has recorded more than 35,000 new infections within the past 24 hours
20 Mar 2021: The UK government says the first dose of a Covid vaccine has been given to half the country's adults
Health Secretary Matt Hancock says more people received a jab on Friday than on any previous day
A UK government adviser says it is "extremely unlikely" that Britons will be taking foreign holidays this summer
The UK faces a "real risk" if people are allowed to travel overseas in July and August, Dr Mike Tildesley says
France and Poland have reintroduced partial lockdowns as both countries battle a sharp rise in Covid infections in recent weeks
Some 21 million people in 16 areas of France, including the capital Paris, are affected as the country fears a third wave
Non-essential shops, hotels, cultural and sporting facilities in Poland are closed for three weeks
Sir John Bell says the changing advice from French officials was undermining confidence in the whole vaccination programme
The UK reported 4,802 new Covid cases on Friday, and 101 deaths. More than 26 million Britons have received their first vaccine dose
21 Mar 2021: UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says booking a holiday now would be "premature" and "potentially risky"
"We are not going to do anything which puts at risk this national effort to control this pandemic," Wallace tells the BBC's Andrew Marr
Shadow Foreign Secretary, Labour's Lisa Nandy, says she will not be booking a foreign holiday
The boss of Australian airline Qantas predicts "governments are going to insist" on vaccines for international travellers
Covid restrictions such as social distancing and wearing a mask could last for years, Dr Mary Ramsay of Public Health England says
A UK nurse who tearfully urged people to stop panic buying last year is considering leaving the profession
Mumbai is to roll out mandatory tests in crowded places as the country grapples with a rise in infections
Official figures show that as of Saturday, more than 26.8 million Britons have received their first dose of a vaccine
22 Mar 2021: Boris Johnson prepares to speak to European leaders to try to resolve a row over vaccine exports
The long-awaited US trial of the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab confirms the shot is both safe and highly effective
Supermarkets can sell non-essential items and garden centres can open in Wales
Primary school pupils and those in years 12 to 14 return to school in Northern Ireland
Brazil's president rails against state governors and mayors who have imposed lockdowns
State of emergency in Miami Beach over concerns crowds gathering for spring break pose a Covid risk
The number of daily vaccine doses administered in the UK has hit a record high for a third consecutive day
23 Mar 2021: A minute's silence will be held at 12:00 GMT remembering the victims of Covid-19
Tuesday marks the first anniversary of lockdown being called in the UK
People are being encouraged to stand on their doorsteps with lights at 20:00 GMT, as part of a national day of reflection
Weekly coronavirus death figures in England and Wales are at their lowest since October, national statistics show
Across the pandemic, 147,681 deaths in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate; 126,172 within 28 days of a positive test
The government is considering making vaccines for care home staff compulsory, Matt Hancock says
A £5,000 fine for anyone in England trying to travel abroad without good reason is due to come into force next week
Germany extends its lockdown to 18 April and will shut down almost completely over the Easter holiday from 1-5 April to slow soaring infections
Home working and shopping locally are among behaviours likely to remain popular after restrictions are lifted - survey
The virus that causes the common cold can effectively boot the Covid virus out of the body's cells, say researchers
24 Mar 2021: Overseas travel restrictions may be among the later rules to be relaxed in the UK, scientific adviser Prof Neil Ferguson says
Variants and rising cases in Europe may affect how much people coming into the UK have to be screened, he says
But even if the country is not back to normal by the summer, things should feel a lot more normal by the autumn, Prof Ferguson says
A case of a new "double mutant" variant of coronavirus has been found in India
India's capital, Delhi, will begin randomised Covid tests at airports, bus stops and train stations amid what some experts say is a second wave
"Capitalism" and "greed" got Covid vaccinations under way quickly in the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a private meeting of Tory MPs
Weekly coronavirus death figures in England and Wales are at their lowest since October, national statistics show
25 Mar 2021: Boris Johnson says it may only be possible to implement a vaccine passports scheme once everybody has been offered a vaccine
Ministers are currently reviewing the possibility of introducing a document providing proof of vaccination against Covid
But the PM says no decisions have been taken and the government will report on the work in early April
He told MPs yesterday pub goers could be asked to show vaccine certificates, saying it "may be up to individual publicans"
Kate Nicholls, of the trade body UK Hospitality, says she doesn't think the requirement is "necessary or appropriate" for High Street venues
Jonathan Neame, of the Shepherd Neame pub chain, says showing a vaccination certificate to enter a pub was “a poorly thought-out idea"
Peter Marks, owner of the Deltic Group, Britain’s largest nightclub operator, said clubbers would likely accept the idea of vaccination certificates
MPs are expected to vote today on extending the government's emergency coronavirus powers for another six months
EU leaders are to meet virtually later to discuss proposals aimed at improving vaccine supplies as cases continue to rise in several countries
NHS staff in Scotland are to be offered a pay rise of at least 4%, the Scottish government has confirmed
26 Mar 2021: Wales will be the first UK nation to scrap travel restrictions since lockdowns were re-imposed
"Stay-local" rules will lift from Saturday and unrestricted travel within Wales will be allowed
But non-essential travel to and from other UK nations will be banned for at least two weeks more
The EU called on vaccine producer AstraZeneca to "catch-up" with promised deliveries before exporting doses elsewhere
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the company must honour its contracts
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters this marked "the end of naivety" from the EU
Truck drivers must expect to take a Covid test when coming into the UK from mainland Europe, a haulage industry source said
The Department for Transport said it is "carefully monitoring" the increase in cases in Europe and all measures are under review
Mexico has officially surpassed the figure of 200,000 Covid-19-related deaths, the third country to do so after the US and Brazil
A further 6,397 coronavirus cases were reported across the UK on Thursday, alongside a further 63 deaths within 28 days of a positive test
28 Mar 2021: Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said the Moderna vaccine is expected to be rolled out in the UK in April
Mr Dowden also said he "fully expects" the UK to host the biggest moments of this summer's Uefa's European Championships
He said he had 'every confidence' that this was England's last lockdown - but experience taught him 'you can't rule things out'
Lorry drivers travelling to England from outside the UK, who stay for two days or more, will be required to take a Covid test
The chief medical director at NHS England is warning people not to "squander the gains" made in the latest lockdown
Prof Stephen Powis says progress made so far "does not mean job done"
In the latest step of the government's roadmap, curbs on outdoor gatherings and sports ease in England from Monday
A group of charities is urging the prime minister to "swiftly clarify" how many Covid vaccine doses the UK is prepared to donate to poorer countries
Poland has reported 29,253 new coronavirus cases on Sunday - up 34% compared with one week ago
Facebook freezes Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's page after he claimed without evidence that a herbal remedy could cure Covid
A further 4,715 coronavirus cases were reported across the UK on Saturday, alongside 58 new deaths
There have been 126,726,308 Covid cases around the world, and 2,777,336 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University
29 Mar 2021: Step 1b: (School hols) Rule of 6 outdoors.
Restrictions on leaving the United Kingdom without a reasonable excuse. (SI2021/364)
Two households or groups of up to six people are now able to meet outside in England as the stay-at-home Covid restrictions order ends
Outdoor sport facilities including tennis courts and golf courses are also reopening and organised outdoor sports can resume
Weddings can take place again but only with six people attending
Boris Johnson urges caution, saying cases are up in Europe and variants threaten the vaccine rollout
The message on this day of lockdown easing is: "It's all outdoors," says UK minister Nigel Huddleston, adding people need to be "sensible"
A single dose of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines was effective at stopping 62% of coronavirus infections in care homes, a study finds
More than 30 million people in the UK have been vaccinated and more than 3.5 million adults have had their second dose
Mexico publishes revised figures showing the number of deaths caused by coronavirus is 60% higher than previously reported
30 Mar 2021: Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng says the UK must focus on vaccinating all of its adults to make sure they are safe
"Obviously we do want to work in a spirit of co-operation... and when we do have surpluses we will be looking to export those," he adds.
It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is among 24 world leaders to call for a global treaty to prepare for future pandemics
Leaders including President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's chancellor Angela Merkel say Covid has posed the biggest challenge since WWII
In an article for newspapers around the world, the leaders say another health crisis is a matter of "not if, but when"
A new treaty would help establish better systems for alerting people about potential pandemics, they argue
963 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending 19 March mentioned coronavirus - the lowest figure since October
Roughly half of people in the UK now have antibodies against Covid, either through infection or vaccination, tests conducted by the ONS show
Comedian and actor Sir Lenny Henry has written an open letter urging black Britons to take the Covid-19 vaccine
A senior scientist has warned the US faces "impending doom" as coronavirus cases and hospital admissions rise across the country
31 Mar 2021: Health Secretary Matt Hancock warns people not to "blow it" by breaching coronavirus guidelines in the warm weather
Many areas have seen a sunny start to the week - coinciding with England easing some restrictions
"Let’s enjoy the sun but let’s do it safely. We have come so far, don’t blow it now," he tweeted
Welsh police forces issue warnings against illegal gatherings in the sunny weather
Shielding in England and Wales is coming to an end for the clinically extremely vulnerable from tomorrow
Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to lift their restrictions later in April
Germany is suspending routine use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for under-60s because of a risk of rare blood clots
Northern Ireland's coronavirus vaccination programme has been opened up to people aged from 45 to 49
Glastonbury organisers announce plans for a livestream from Worthy Farm, after the festival was cancelled for a second year
Brazil: Political crisis and Covid surge rock Bolsonaro
Covid index - February 2021 - April 2021
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© Jo Edkins 2024