Covid index - August 2021 - October 2021
1 Sep 2021: Some of country's children's health experts say the risk of Long Covid in children seems to be lower than feared
The week ending 20 August saw nearly 1,200 more deaths registered in the UK than normal, the ONS says
Just over half that number of deaths - about 650 - involved Covid, little changed on last week
About 94% of people in the UK have coronavirus antibodies, either through vaccination or past infection, new data suggests
Health experts, former government officials and charities are calling on world leaders for global summit to end pandemic
UK government has rejected calls to halt the £20-a-week cut to Universal Credit, which would end pandemic support
Wales is considering scrapping rules preventing travellers from booking private tests when returning from abroad
Japan has suspended the use of a batch of Moderna vaccines over contamination fears after black particles were found in vial
Cambridge University Stem support for Covid-hit students
2 Sep 2021: Patients will be at risk unless the NHS receives extra £10bn next year to recover from the pandemic, health bosses say
A recommendation on whether under-16s should be offered Covid vaccines is due "very, very soon", the education secretary says
A scientific adviser to the government said the decision should focus on "what is best for the children"
Prof Peter Openshaw also warned that the UK's vaccine advisory group was at risk of making decision on booster jabs too late
Full vaccination against Covid-19 can cut the risk of developing long Covid by 50%, a study suggests
The Duke of Sussex has called on governments to tackle the “huge disparity” in vaccine access worldwide
Many pupils in the UK return to school today, amid concerns about the spread of Covid and funding
Popular podcast host Joe Rogansays he caught Covid but feels "great"
He controversially claimed young, healthy people did not need the vaccine
Portugal has eased quarantine requirements for visitors from the UK
North Korea has asked that millions of vaccine doses allocated to it be offered to nations harder-hit by the virus
North Korea has recorded zero Covid cases
3 Sep 2021: The UK is sending four million doses of the Pfizer jab to Australia as part of a Covid vaccine swap deal
The plan is to share doses "at the optimum time" for both countries' vaccine programmes, Health Secretary Sajid Javid says
Australia has one of the slowest vaccine rollouts among wealthy countries, and more than half of population is in lockdown
The EU and AstraZeneca have ended a legal dispute about supply of coronavirus vaccines
Just under 1,800 deaths in England within 28 days of a positive test are linked to the Delta variant-Public Health England
The UK should get on with a booster vaccination programme, former health secretary Jeremy Hunt says
Japan's Prime Minister, whose popularity has fallen amid lockdowns and slow jabs rollout progress, is standing down
Public Health England has sought to reassure parents as children return to school, saying schools are not hubs of infection
Nearly 75% of under-50s hospitalised with Delta unvaccinated
4 Sep 2021: Decision on jabs for children due in days
Convulsed by Covid, can the NHS cope this winter?
'My parents won't let me get the Covid vaccine' says Texas 16 year old
What Israel tells us about the way out of Covid
Australia switched tack on Covid zero.
Australia's prime minister has said it is time for Australia to leave lockdowns and "come out of the cave"
5 Sep 2021: Covid-19: Pub marquees could become permanent fixtures
Jobs market set for bumpy ride, says Resolution Foundation
Almost 50 shops a day disappear from High Streets
Covid-19: Vaccine passports to start in England this month
MPs told to smarten up their clothing ahead of Commons return
6 Sep 2021: Social care plan faces Tory tax backlash
Pupils return amid Covid fears
Recommendations for the music industry as live music returns following the pandemic
Swapping private jets for trains, generating more renewable energy at festivals and free public transport with gig tickets
Is it all over for business cards?
World Cup qualifier Brazil and Argentina is abandoned, three Argentine players broke quarantine rules.
(We have day out in Norwich - this year's holiday!)
7 Sep 2021: Covid: No plans for October lockdown, says government
Planned job cuts fall despite furlough deadline
Sexually transmitted infections fall during pandemic
8 Sep 2021: Covid in Scotland: 'I'm double-vaccinated but can't show the proof'
Green and amber lists could go in travel shake-up
Surge in Scotland 'may be slowing down'
AstraZeneca bosses warn against rush for boosters
More Covid deaths in north of England - report
Optimism over full crowds at Ashes series
9 Sep 2021: Mandatory jabs consultation for frontline health staff
Scottish vaccine passport vote
Covid hospital in North Macedonia catches fire, killing 14 people
Will Boris Johnson's plan for the NHS work? (More money, raised by social care levy and rise in NI.)
Pfizer and AstraZeneca approved as booster vaccines
10 Sep 2021: The Oxford vaccine scientist says there is evidence of "strong maintenance" of immune response in vaccinated people
The world needs more vaccine supply, Prof Dame Sarah Gilbert says
But "too simplistic" to ask whether booster jabs should be given in the UK over giving doses to other countries
US President Biden says employees at large companies must be vaccinated or face weekly testing
The UK economy grew by just 0.1% in July when the last Covid restrictions were lifted in England
Customers in Northern Ireland will be allowed to order at the bar again later, as Covid rules ease
Unless workers start taking the train again, could be long-term adverse effects on city centres, rail industry warns
11 Sep 2021: The head of the Scottish Ambulance Service has apologised to patients over increased waiting times.
France's former health minister is being formally investigated over the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Clubbers will have to prove they are fully vaccinated to get into nightclubs in Scotland from next month.
In England similar rules are expected to come into force.
UK expats struggle with Australian lockdowns.
12 Sep 2021: England vaccine passport plans ditched, Sajid Javid says
(Observer) Covid jabs for 12-15 year olds set to start in two weeks
13 Sep 2021: The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have submitted their conclusions on routine coronavirus vaccinations for children
It's expected they will approve the extension of the vaccine programme to cover 12 to 15-year-olds
Some coronavirus regulations may still be needed in winter to keep cases down, Work and Pensions Secretary says
Boris Johnson is expected to announce his Covid winter strategy on Tuesday and end some emergency Covid powers
French vaccine maker Valneva says the UK government has scrapped a deal for its Covid vaccine
Ensuring teenagers in the UK can be fully vaccinated by winter should be a priority, scientist Prof Neil Ferguson says
Nearly 1/3 people arriving in England/NI as the Delta variant took off may have broken quarantine rules, figures show
14 Sep 2021: The government will set out a winter plan for managing Covid, with measures if the NHS risks becoming overwhelmed
As part of this, a UK-wide booster jabs programme for the over 50s is expected to be announced
A single dose of Pfizer will be offered at least six months after a second dose, the BBC understands
Concerns health service under severe strain if Covid infections surge alongside other respiratory viruses, such as flu
The PM says society must continue "living with" Covid during the months ahead - but he hasn't ruled out a winter lockdown
Meanwhile, children aged 12 to 15 in England will be offered one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid jab, the government says
Invitations for the vaccine will begin next week and parental consent will be sought for the programme
Programme is based in schools
It follows advice from the UK's chief medical officers, who say the jab will help to reduce disruption to education
Elsewhere, job vacancies have hit a record high as the economic recovery continues and the furlough scheme winds down
The UK recorded 30,825 new coronavirus cases on Monday, and 61 deaths within 28 days of a positive test
15 Sep 2021: Working from home could curb the spread of Covid during winter, Sage member Andrew Hayward says
Sage says England's Covid hospital admissions could rise if restrictions are not tightened
Hospitalisations could reach 2,000 to 7,000 per day next month - currently there are around 1,000, it says
However the group did acknowledge a previous warning was not borne out by events
Health Secretary Sajid Javid says there will be "no single trigger" for reimposing restrictions
But he says pressure on the NHS will be the "number one issue" to watch
And he adds another lockdown "cannot be 100% ruled out", although "no one wants to see it"
16 Sep 2021: BBC survey suggests most people do not believe workers will return to the office full-time after the pandemic
Majority of UK workers polled said that they would prefer to work from home either full-time or at least some of the time
Boris Johnson is continuing his cabinet reshuffle as he plans to "build back better from the pandemic"
Gavin Williamson sacked as education secretary - he was replaced by Nadhim Zahawi, previously vaccines minister
Leading immunologist specialising in fertility says changes to periods after having a Covid vaccine should be investigated
Dr Victoria Male says the body's immune response is the likely cause, not something in the vaccines
Today is the deadline for people who work in residential and nursing homes in England to have their first Covid vaccine
Government legislation makes it compulsory for care home staff to be fully vaccinated by the 11th November
17 Sep 2021: Ministers are considering scrapping the requirement for double-jabbed people returning to the UK to take PCR tests
The traffic light system could also be overhauled in rule changes expected to be announced later
Dropping travel PCR tests makes sense as many other countries have lower infection rates than the UK, says the boss of Tui
Italy is to make it compulsory for all workers to have proof of vaccination, a negative test or recovery from the virus
Civil court case begins against Austrian government over alleged mishandling of outbreak at ski resort Ischgl in March 2020
Long Covid may be less common than previously thought, according to the Office for National Statistics
18 Sep 2021: Covid passes: Relief and concern at Wales announcement.
People will need to prove they have been vaccinated or had a negative test from 11 October.
Holiday surge expected after travel rules change. Now only red or not red.
Ronapreve: 'Most vulnerable' to get new Covid drug next week
Covid calculator spots people vulnerable despite jabs
19 Sep 2021: Amber list scrapped for NI, but testing remains
University students must have say over online learning, watchdog says
Health experts warns against Wales-only Covid probe
Should schools retain online parents' evenings? Virtual versions were one of the runaway successes of remote learning
Getting Covid in a land where no cases officially exist (Turkmenistan)
20 Sep 2021: A booster shot will start being offered to all adults over 50 across the UK from today
Those eligible also include younger adults with health conditions and front-line health and social care workers
Children aged 12 to 15 in England and Scotland are also now able to get a Covid vaccine
The roll-out is also beginning in Wales this week, while in Northern Ireland it is likely to be offered from October
Boris Johnson is expected to urge President Joe Biden to end the US ban on British travellers when they meet this week
The UK reported a further 29,612 coronavirus cases on Sunday and 56 more people died within 28 days of a positive test
21 Sep 2021: AstraZeneca vaccine should be accepted under new US travel rules, White House medical adviser Dr Anthony Fauci says
A ban on UK and EU travellers will lift in early November
Fully-jabbed passengers can enter the US if they take a Covid test before travelling
But precise details are yet to be ironed out - including eligible vaccines
Children struggling with mental health problems in the pandemic are facing "agonisingly long" waits for help
One in five youngsters seen by services in England waited longer than 12 weeks, BBC finds
Government borrowing falls as Covid curbs continue to ease in UK
UK records 36,100 new Covid cases and 49 deaths within 28 days of a positive test on Monday
22 Sep 2021: Egypt, Kenya, Maldives, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka & Turkey change from red to amber. (SI2021/1066)
Covishield has been added to the UK's list of recognised vaccines
But its still unclear whether Indian travellers will avoid the need to isolate on arrival
India is not listed as one of the countries where two jab people will be recognised as vaccinated by the UK
Brazil's health minister has tested positive for Covid-19, after attending the UN General Assembly in New York
Pret A Manger aims to hire 3,000 staff by the end of 2022 after cutting the same number of jobs last year
23 Sep 2021: Covid could be more like a common cold by next spring, leading expert has said
Prof Sir John Bell, who was part of the AstraZeneca team, said things "should be fine" once winter has passed
Schools are weighing up extra Covid measures as the number of pupil absences rise
One school said it had reintroduced mask wearing after 50 positive cases were detected in the school
Tenants are being evicted due to rent arrears built up during the Covid pandemic, despite the government saying no-one should lose their home as a result of the crisis
US drug regulators have approved Pfizer booster vaccines for people over 65 if they had their last shot at least six months ago
24 Sep 2021: Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says the shortage of HGV drivers is a “global problem“ and has been made worse by coronavirus
He says the "principal bottleneck" relates to getting more tests for HGV drivers, none were available during the pandemic
There are also other "systemic problems" in the haulage industry that need to be resolved, the transport secretary says
It comes as a small number of BP and Esso-owned Tesco Alliance petrol stations closed due to a lack of delivery drivers
The pandemic has forced 40,000 driver training tests to be cancelled, the Road Haulage Association says
Lorry driver shortages have also been blamed on EU workers leaving the UK following Brexit, and conditions and pay
No 10 says there is "no shortage of fuel in the UK and people should continue to buy fuel as normal"
A think tank has warned the cancer treatment backlog in England caused by the pandemic could take more than a decade to clear
25 Sep 2021: Foreign visas planned to ease lorry driver shortage
Soldiers arrive in Scotland to drive ambulances
From 4 October green and amber countries on England's traffic light system for foreign travel will be merged into one
Fully vaccinated travellers will also be able to have fewer Covid tests. However, destinations still have their own rules
Chris Whitty awarded honorary doctorate at University of Plymouth
Can sustainable fashion turn the red carpet green? (Yup - they say this is Covid!)
26 Sep 2021: Temporary UK visas will be issued to up to 10,500 lorry drivers and poultry workers, the government has confirmed.
Billie Eilish and Ed Sheeran among stars to perform in 24-hour concert to raise awareness of vaccine inequality, climate change and famine.
Ireland ends mandatory Covid-19 hotel quarantine
Tory peer aims to force universal credit vote
A new survey has found that young people are twice as likely as older people to pray regularly - and the pandemic might be a reason why.
27 Sep 2021: New South Wales, home to Sydney, announces its roadmap out of lockdown
Restrictions will be eased after the vaccination rate hits 70% - expected on 11 October
People who aren't fully vaccinated will have to wait longer for their freedoms
New Zealand is to pilot stay-at-home quarantine for travellers, rather than state facilities
More people are feeling forced into private healthcare in the UK, with long waits for NHS operations
Letters offering Covid vaccination appointments are now being sent out to 12 to 15-year-olds in Scotland
Patients in Wales have been warned it could take years to clear the NHS waiting list backlog
28 Sep 2021: Half of young people willing to get jab - study
Homeworking helps careers, say majority of women
Distancing to end in Northern Ireland's shops and theatres
29 Sep 2021: Vitamin A treatment trial for Covid loss of smell
Man died of Covid after ambulance sent to wrong address
Scotland 'nudging towards' herd immunity
Boris Johnson makes inquiry pledge to bereaved families - before Christmas
Kettering's high rate 'not all about children'
30 Sep 2021: The UK's furlough scheme ends amid calls for it to continue from some struggling sectors
Furlough was introduced in March 2020 and helped pay the wages of 11.6 million workers
The government announces a £500m Household Support Fund - grants for people facing difficulties with essentials like food and utility bills
Chancellor Rishi Sunak says it "will provide a lifeline for those at risk of struggling to keep up with their bills over the winter"
Scotland's vaccine passport scheme starts tomorrow as planned after a judge refused a legal challenge from nightclubs seeking to delay it
The volume of face-to-face GP consultations in England has changed little since the winter lockdown, latest data shows
Just 58% patients were seen face-to-face in August, only slightly higher than in January - before the pandemic it was 80%
GCSE and A-level grades will be returned to pre-Covid levels over the next two years, the government says
Covid index - August 2021 - October 2021
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© Jo Edkins 2024