Hello this is bbc news. The headlines. Millions more people will qualify for the Coronavirus Vaccine this week people in england aged 70 and over will start receiving invitations within days. On a visit to a company that manufactures vaccines, the Prime Minister said the Vaccination Programme is on track, which is why the rollout is being expanded. We are getting it out as fast as we can. Four million done so far. Weve now, i think, have done more than half of the over 80s, almost half of the people in care homes. New travel restrictions International Passengers must now test negative for coronavirus if travelling to the uk
and self isolate for ten days. The price of this failure will be paid with lives and livelihoods in the worlds poorest countries. And just to recap on that with the travel situation, the restrictions coming into force. International passengers must now test negative for coronavirus virus ever travelling to the uk, and self isolate for ten days. And coming up, we are going to be on shift with the Welsh Ambulance crew, and take a behind the scenes look at how they are coping during the
pandemic. The government has described the expansion of the roll out as a significant milestone. More than five Million People aged 70 and over or listed as clinically extremely vulnerable living in england will be invited to receive the vaccine this week ten new Mass Vaccination Centres opened across england today. And overfour Million People have received the first dose of the vaccine that includes more than half of care home residents and half of the over 805. It comes as the uk records a further 599 deaths from the virus within 28 days of a positive test and another 37,535 people
have tested positive. Well be building up to that latest briefing from the government, today led by the Health Secretary matt hancock. But first lets hearfrom the Prime Minister borisjohnson, who said despite the positive vaccine news, the situation in the country remains precarious. We are getting it out as fast as we can. 4 million done so far and i think we have done more than half of the over 805, almost half of, half of the people in care homes. The elderly residents of care homes. Tho5e group5 remain a top priority. They are an absolute priority for us, but it is right, as more vaccine comes on stream to get it into the arms of the other groups in thejcvi
li5t. Arms of the other groups in thejcvi list. That is what we are doing. I understand completely people want to get back to normal as fast as we possibly can. It does depend on things going well, it depends on the Vaccination Programme going well. It depends on there being no new variants that throw our plans out and we have to mitigate against and also, it depends on everybody, all of us remembering that we are not out of the woods yet. Our Health Correspondentjim reed reports on the acceleration of the vaccine rollout in england. The biggest vaccination drive in this countrys history continues to pick up pace. Ten new Mass Vaccination Centres opened today in england from blackburn in lancashire, to taunton in the south west, to st helens in mer5ey5ide. We can now think about going into
the future with a bit more optimism. Do things we havent done for 12 months. So far, staff had been giving jab5 to people in the groups most at risk from covid. Top of the list are care home residents and their carers the aim is to immunise all of them by the end of this month. The over 805 and Front Line Health Workers are also in the first wave. But some places in england have now vaccinated 90 or more in those groups. They will now be allowed to offer jab5 to the next two group5 down the list over 705 and the clinically extremely vulnerable, for example, those with respiratory disease or having cancer treatment. I am confident that we can meet our target mid february, those top four cohorts, the most vulnerable, 80 of mortality comes from the top four cohorts, they will be offered the vaccine by mid february. It comes as the pressure on hospitals in some parts of the country shows little sign of letting up. Many wards are still busy as the Health Service deals
with the winter wave of this pandemic. I dont think we will see the effects of the Vaccine Programme on deaths and hospital admissions until well into february, so its really important at the moment that everybody sticks to those social distancing guidelines, those lockdown measures that are in place. We know they are effective, they worked in april, they worked again in november and there are signs they are working again now. In scotland, the focus has been on vaccinating Health Care Workers and care home residents, with the plan to reach 400,000 a week by next month. In wales, Mass Vaccination Centres have also been opened up, and in Northern Ireland, more than 90 of care homes have been visited by a mobile vaccination team. Its thought there is enough raw vaccine in the country to last until at least february. The government accepts the supply has been bumpy and those involved in distribution Say Something as simple as the weather could still throw the programme off track. If we got some really bad weather, snow days and things like that, that could disrupt things and also, if you have, for example, a batch of vaccine which had to be put into quarantine because of some of the safety tests which are done on it you have to remember this is highly regulated, the supply chain that could actually just delay things slightly. The government has said today that if it meets its vaccine target, then Strict Lockdown rules could start to be eased by march as immunity starts to take effect. Any return to normal, though, will be gradual, and likely to see a move back to the regional tier system, rather than a sudden lifting of all restrictions. Jim reed, bbc news. Lets take another look at the latest coronavirus figures from the government. Another 599 people died within 28 day of a positive covid i9 test the number is usually lower after the weekend. 37,535 people tested positive for coronavirus
in the latest 24 hour period. And, just over 4 Million People in the uk have had theirfirst dose of the Coronavirus Vaccine. Our Health Correspondent nick triggle is with me. We are waiting for the latest downing street briefing and i am sure we will get more on those figures, particularly the vaccination numbers because the government think it is a good news story. It is, the vaccination roll out is going very well . Absolutely, it is gathering pace day by day. Those figures, 4 million, we are yet to have wales, scotland and Northern Irelands figures. It means half of the groups that were initially targeted, over 805, half of the groups that were initially targeted, over805, health and care workers and residential
care residents have been vaccinated. We have had the Vaccination Programme in some areas will be rolled out to people in their 705. If we can look at a chart now that shows how the uk is doing globally, only israel and the United Arab Emirates have actually vaccinated more to head of population. If you look at the figures regionally in england, we can see some variation in vaccination rates per head of population. The south west and the north east and yorkshire have all vaccinated around 9 of the population already. Vaccinated around 996 of the population already. How do explain those regional population already. How do explain those regional variations . Population already. How do explain those regionalvariations . People | those regional variations . People will have, i know the mayor of london has been agitated about londons relatively low figure, what
are the differences . Are the differences . London in particular. Are the differences . London in particular, has are the differences . London in particular, has a are the differences . London in particular, has a young are the differences . London in. Particular, has a young population so overall the numbers getting vaccinated, we should expect to be a little bit lower. Also, london was slow in terms of rolling out the local Vaccination Centres that gps run. In the first few weeks, just before christmas, they didnt have as many local Vaccination Centres. The government says in the coming weeks, we will see some of these differences ironed out and evened up. But there is a question about reaching out and engaging populations that might have concerns about getting vaccinated. Surveys show for example, black and ethnic minority groups are the most concerned about getting vaccinated. There is a lot of work going on, local authorities and the nhs trying to engage communities that do have question about vaccinations. The
government question about vaccinations. The government have said if there is going to be a hiccup in the roll out it is more to do with the supply of the vaccine. Pfizer was saying they are shutting down their production plant in belgium because further down the road they want to increase capacity. For now, they have got to stop and make changes. How big a problem could that be for the Pfizer Vaccine do you think . This illustrates vaccine do you think . This illustrates why vaccine do you think . This illustrates why there vaccine do you think . This illustrates why there is vaccine do you think . Ti 3 illustrates why there is such a nervousness about supply and i were here ministers saying supply is the rate limiting factor. The nhs has got a good, Strong Network of Vaccination Centres now. We have another ten Mass Vaccination Centres opening this week. But they can only vaccinate as quickly as they get supply of the vaccine. At the moment we have enough vaccine in the country to vaccinate the 50 million in the high risk groups. I think in the longer term, it could affect how
quickly we can accelerate Vaccination Programme. However, we are, in the uk relying more heavily now and Going Forward on the astrazeneca vaccine. In a sense, pfizers supply issues will have some impact, but less of an impact in the uk than it does in other countries. Mil in the uk than it does in other countries in the uk than it does in other countries. �. ~ countries. All right, we will talk to later again countries. All right, we will talk to later again in countries. All right, we will talk to later again in the countries. All right, we will talk to later again in the buildup i countries. All right, we will talk to later again in the buildup to to later again in the build up to the briefing and afterwards as well, but thank you very much indeed. Lets take a look how the rollout is progressing around the uk. In a moment well hear from Mark Hutchings in wales and chris page in Northern Ireland, but first heres Alexandra Mackenzie in glasgow. Well, almost a quarter of a Million People in scotland have now received the first dose of their vaccine. The current Priority Group that is being worked on is care home staff and residents, the over 805 and Front Line Health Workers. Now, the government has said that they are on track to have these people vaccinated
by the beginning of february. They are about halfway through or almost half way through, but they have said that this dependent on supply. And there has been some concern from the British Medical Association that supply has been patchy within the community and some gps are receiving some doses of the vaccine, other gps are not getting any doses of the vaccine. The Scottish Government has said that this is not a problem with supply, that vaccines are coming into the country and are going out to gp surgeries as soon as possible. The uk government has said that this will improve each week. Well, in wales, we havejust had the latest figures, and as of last night, more than 151,000 people have had their first dose of the vaccine, which equates to about 4. 8 of the welsh population. Wales has been behind the other in uk nations in the pace of the roll out,
but the Welsh Government stress they are moving as quickly and as safely as possible. The first minister Mark Drakeford has walked into a bit of a row over the Pfizer Vaccine. More supplies of those are not expected to come to wales until the beginning of february, and Mark Drakeford says as a consequence of that, the doses have to be spaced out at Mass Vaccination Centres to avoid them running out and leaving vaccinators standing around with nothing to do. Now, those comments have been sharply criticised by many, including the former welsh secretary Stephen Crabb who says it is astonishing and a sign of a go slow process, denied by the Welsh Government who insist they will meet their targets. Well, the early pace of the Vaccine Programme here in Northern Ireland has led the first minister of the devolved government Arlene Foster to say that Northern Ireland is one of the Top Performing places in the world. So far, upwards of 110,000 people have received at least one dose. More than 20,000 have also received their second dose. So that means in a place with a population of about 1. 9 million, we are talking about more than 6 of the population have received their first jab. So far, ministers are very pleased at how it is going. There has been some public debate, some controversy, about the gap between doses. The likes of the British Medial Association in Northern Ireland has said doctors should be prioritised and they should have their second jab within three weeks of the first and not three months, as is now the case. However, the devolved government is very, very clear that they are on course to inoculate everybody over 80, all care home resisdents and all front line health and social care staff by the end ofjanuary, so they are all set to continue what they think has been a good start. The head of the World Health Organization said that richer nations who do not share the vaccine risk prolonging the coronavirus pandemic. Dr tedros said their approach would leave the worlds poorest at risk. I need to be blunt. The world is on the brink of a catastrophic moral failure. And the price of this failure will be paid with lives and livelihoods in the worlds poorest countries. Even as they speak the language of equitable access, some countries and Companies Continue to prioritise bilateral deals. Going around covax, driving up prices, and attempting tojump to the front of the queue. The head of the World Health Organization. New controls on travellers entering the uk have come into force, to try to keep out variants of coronavirus from other countries. People will be asked to produce evidence of a negative covid test
taken within 72 hours, and almost all those arriving will be required to spend time self isolating. Fewer workers are now exempt. 0ur transport correspondent Caroline Davies has more. No queues, few suitcases. A near empty Gatwick Airport this morning. It is noticeably incredibly quiet inside Gatwick Airport today. To give you an idea of quite how quiet it is, the airport says that they are averaging around 20 flights a day during the course of this week. Now, thats by comparison to, say, a normal november, where it would be about 600 flights a day. Anyone arriving to the airport from abroad today will have to show that they have a negative covid test, ta ken less than 72 hours before they depart. When they arrive, they must now quarantine for ten days no matter where they have flown from in the world, or pay for a covid test on the fifth day. If its negative, they can leave quarantine early. As well as airports, the policy applies to the eurostar and seaports, but wont apply to anyone travelling within the uk or ireland,
or to some jobs like hauliers. Few were travelling today. The First International flight didnt arrive until around 11. 30am, from ukraine. Those on board thought the system this morning went smoothly. It was very straightforward. I mean, youve only got three documents your passport, your test, and your passenger locator form, and if you have those to hand, its straight through. Well, its a bit more hassle, but if it keeps people safer, then its reasonable. The Airline Industry has broadly accepted the changes for now, but wants to know how the government plan to reverse them. Quarantine is the thing that, obviously, kills demand, lets say, so the planning after this phase is quite critical and important to us. After months of very low passenger numbers, many in the industry are desperate. Over the weekend, the aviation minister said that a support scheme for airport and ground operations will open this month. Its been welcomed, but some say it doesnt go far enough. Even before the latest travel bans and lockdown measures and now the new pre departure test, we saw around about £4 billion worth of losses last year and, you know, hundreds of thousands ofjobs being lost. The government have said that more details of the scheme are yet to be released. Todays new measures are intended to try and protect those in the uk from new variants that emerge around the world. How long theyll be in place is the question that many are desperate to know. Caroline davies, bbc news. 0ur correspondent Frankie Mccamley is at Gatwick Airport. I know you have been talking to some travellers but what are they saying to you . Travellers but what are they saying to ou . ,. ,. , travellers but what are they saying to ou . ,. , travellers but what are they saying to ou . ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. , travellers but what are they saying to ou . ,. ,. , to you . Good afternoon. I have been sueakin to you . Good afternoon. I have been speaking to to you . Good afternoon. I have been speaking to some to you . Good afternoon. I have been speaking to some travellers to you . Good afternoon. I have been speaking to some travellers who to you . Good afternoon. I have been | speaking to some travellers who have been trickling through the arrivals lounge here at Gatwick Airport which normally sees around 46 million passengers each year and you would not think that going into the terminal today. Not think that going into the terminaltoday. I not think that going into the terminal today. I have been going in and out and speaking to passengers
all day and ijust and out and speaking to passengers all day and i just spoke to a couple who arrived from nigeria, flying through qatar and i said everything was very simple, given instructions before they were boarded back home and told they needed to get these coronavirus tests done before they came to the uk. I also spoke to a couple who were heading to spain. They said they were so surprised at how lax this country had been compared to spain. 0ver that they were being asked by police when they were being asked by police when they were travelling and living home where they were travelling to and what they were doing. When you come through Border Control here, there are border officers that will be checking, doing spot checks and making sure people are following the rules and if not, you could face a £500 fine. When you leave the airport, you will have to go and isolate for ten days, if you can get a test before that you can reduce that time to five days. There has been criticism over the timescale it has taken the uk government to bring
in these new restrictions. Health Officials Say they have been calling for this for months and also some airports have built their own testing centres that have waited and waited for government approval. There is also criticism over the quarantine that people are facing here in the uk. It is not as strict as in places like australia where you go straight to a hotel and you have to stay there for two weeks and you receive your food and drink at your door. Here you are very much relying on the public conscience. And also, it is important to note that the Aviation Industry is taking another big blow, as they call for more support from the government instead of loans to pay back, they are asking for grants and a good strong plan as to how they are going to get out of this and recover from this, especially as we look towards the spring and summer where they make most of their money. Maw; make most of their money. Many thanks indeed. Make most of their money. Many thanks indeed. Frankie make most of their money. Many thanks indeed. Frankie at make most of their money. Many thanks indeed. Frankie at Gatwick Airport. After experiencing its most difficult period of the entire covid 19 pandemic in december, the boss of Welsh Ambulance service says they are still under extreme pressure. At one stage, 400 staff thats12 of all workers were sick or self isolating. Paramedics and ambulance staff have been speaking about the daily pressures they face. Tomos morgan reports. We were given a red call for somebody who was unresponsive and not breathing, our highest priority of call. The Welsh Ambulance service have been at their highest and rarest alert level since early december. This has been the most challenging period of the pandemic since it began, according to those on the front line in wales. Staff shortages, the need to risk assess everyjob, wearing ppe to each visit and normal winter pressures have created the perfect storm. Paramedics luke and steve work in cardiff and their first call out is to help cathy, an 80 year old women, one of the most at risk from the virus, who needs treatment after a fall. The ground just took me up that would the ground just took me up that would open up and took me with it. The use of ppe makes even the simplest tasks for the team challenging for both them and be patient. Cathy cant see me smiling under here and sometimes a smile can put patients at ease so that is really difficult. At one stage during the festive period, 12 of staff were isolating or sick due to coronavirus. So to help the service, 80 soldiers have been assisting for the second time during the pandemic. The army have never had to help out the Welsh Ambulance service until covid 19 hit. The length of time each call out takes due to additional Safety Measures means that those patients with less
serious conditions may have had to wait longer. Everyone is under immense pressure, a lot more people are calling 999. If there is no movement within the hospital, unfortunately the patients are stuck with us in the back of an ambulance. But those like cathy will always be grateful for the help of this team during such testing times. I think they are marvellous. Tomos morgan, bbc news, cardiff. Lets return to the vaccine rollout over 4 Million People across the country have had the vaccine and ten mass vaccinations centres opened today. Lets speak now to sarah browne, director of nursing for Hertfordshire Community nhs trust, who is running the Mass Vaccination Centre at robertson house in stevenage, one of the first centres to open. 0ne one of the first Mass Vaccination Centres. You have been doing this for a while, a bit of an old hand so
how is it going . It is for a while, a bit of an old hand so how is it going . How is it going . It is going really well, it has how is it going . It is going really well, it has been how is it going . It is going really well, it has been lovely how is it going . It is going really well, it has been lovely to how is it going . It is going really well, it has been lovely to see i how is it going . It is going really| well, it has been lovely to see so many people coming through the doors, so grateful to get the vaccine. ,. ,. , ,. , vaccine. Roughly how many people do ou aet vaccine. Roughly how many people do you get each vaccine. Roughly how many people do you get each day . Vaccine. Roughly how many people do you get each day . We vaccine. Roughly how many people do you get each day . We get vaccine. Roughly how many people do you get each day . We get hundreds i you get each day . We get hundreds and hundreds you get each day . We get hundreds and hundreds each you get each day . We get hundreds and hundreds each day. You get each day . We get hundreds and hundreds each day. Right you get each day . We get hundreds and hundreds each day. Right from | and hundreds each day. Right from the morning at eight oclock through to nearly eight oclock at night, all coming through quickly and absolutely relieved to get the vaccine. We have had so many compliments and it has been really rewarding for the staff here. find rewarding for the staff here. And are the queues rewarding for the staff here. And are the queues quite long first thing in the morning . Ida. Are the queues quite long first thing in the morning . Are the queues quite long first thing in the morning . No, not any more. Thing in the morning . No, not any more we thing in the morning . No, not any more we had thing in the morning . No, not any more. We had lots thing in the morning . No, not any more. We had lots of thing in the morning . No, not any more. We had lots of learning thing in the morning . No, not any more. We had lots of learning dayj more. We had lots of learning day one we had a few queues, some occasions with some slight queues but we have learnt from that as to when they are, we are communicating with the car park muscles and opening up more imitation stations so we can keep the queues down. Car park marshals. And to get the float right and get people in and out as quickly as possible. I5 float right and get people in and out as quickly as possible. Is a massive logistical out as quickly as possible. Is a massive logistical effort are so have you ironed out any little
difficulties and getting people in and out more quickly . Absolutely. It is the working and out more quickly . Absolutely. It is the working across and out more quickly . Absolutely. It is the working across the and out more quickly . Absolutely. It is the working across the whole is the working across the whole team, from all the volunteers we have come stjohns at pillans, car park marshals who have been supporting us from the county council, having that radio controlled from inside outside to make sure nobody leaves their car before they need to, coming through and make sure we have the right flow. It has been a massive learning exercise for all of us but everyone is pulling together and as made a difference. ~. ,. ,. , is pulling together and as made a difference. ~. ,. , difference. What do people say when the have difference. What do people say when they have the difference. What do people say when they have the vaccine . Difference. What do people say when they have the vaccine . What difference. What do people say when they have the vaccine . What have i they have the vaccine . What have they have the vaccine . What have they been saying . They have the vaccine . What have they been saying . Most of them are ust so they been saying . Most of them are just so relieved they been saying . Most of them are just so relieved to they been saying . Most of them are just so relieved to have they been saying . Most of them are just so relieved to have it they been saying . Most of them are just so relieved to have it and they been saying . Most of them are just so relieved to have it and the i just so relieved to have it and the majority of the patients we are getting through here have not been outdoors since march so it is their first trip out to us. It is just a real sense of relief and thanking everybody for everything that is being done to bring it together. find being done to bring it together. And what do you tell them about when they get the second dose . That has been a bit of a problem, and i know it has been quite controversial. Lode it has been quite controversial. We are it has been quite controversial. Are using the astrazeneca one which all along has been that you have the
second dose 11 12 weeks afterwards so as people are booking in they are getting the second appointment straightaway. The people coming in through to us, we explain and we just check they have the second appointment and how important it is for them to get that second appointment and come back for it. Has anyone turned up and said they have changed their mind and they dont want it . Ida. Have changed their mind and they dont want it . Have changed their mind and they dont want it . No, not at all. There was one person dont want it . No, not at all. There was one person that dont want it . No, not at all. There was one person that unfortunatelyl was one person that unfortunately came here not very well and we got him assessed and he was able to have the vaccination but there has not been one person that has turned around and said they dont want it. Instead, it hasjust around and said they dont want it. Instead, it has just been real relief that at last they have the vaccination. Relief that at last they have the vaccination. �. ,. ,. , vaccination. And we have heard from the government vaccination. And we have heard from the government that vaccination. And we have heard from the government that the vaccination. And we have heard from the government that the rollout the government that the roll out will be extended to over 705 next quite soon so when will you be doing that do you think . I quite soon so when will you be doing that do you think . That do you think . I think later this week that do you think . I think later this week. We that do you think . I think later this week. We have that do you think . I think later this week. We have already i that do you think . I think later| this week. We have already had that do you think . I think later. This week. We have already had a couple of people through our doors of that age range. Hopefully later this week, we honestly dont see the details of everybody coming in, we just know that we are booked up
until next weekend at the moment so we understand that some of those might already have been within that age range. D0 might already have been within that auuerane. Might already have been within that are ranue. I. , might already have been within that ate rane. I. , , might already have been within that ate rane. , ,. , age range. Do you always use up all the vaccine age range. Do you always use up all the vaccine you age range. Do you always use up all the vaccine you have . Age range. Do you always use up all the vaccine you have . There age range. Do you always use up all the vaccine you have . There has i age range. Do you always use up all. The vaccine you have . There has been talk in some areas of them having to throw it away because it honestly has eight shelf life so do you manage to use what you have . Natmeg obviously has a shelf life and virtually single dose, the first couple of days we had almost zero vaccine waited, maybe a couple of days with one or two but we are bringing in people at the last minute from our own staff and health and social stop we pull in at the last minute to make sure we use all the vaccine to the best we can. Your doing yourdoing an your doing an amazing job so what about the idea of going 2a hours which has been talked about . 24 hour Vaccination Centres, do you think that would be a good idea where you are . I that would be a good idea where you are . ~. ,. ,. , are . I think it would be a challenge and unfortunately are . I think it would be a challenge and unfortunately it are . I think it would be a challenge and unfortunately it would are . I think it would be a challenge and unfortunately it would be are . I think it would be a challenge and unfortunately it would be a and unfortunately it would be a challenge because of the workforce required to run these. We are obviously running them using a lot of other staff, volunteers, the nhs,
county Council Workers but its also requiring nhs workers to do the vaccinations. I think it would be a challenge with Everything Else going on in the system at the moment. It is also checking when is the right time to bring people out of their houses. A5 time to bring people out of their houses. As much as possible we are trying to utilise our centre in Daylight Hours and then using the darker hours for health and social workers so that bringing over 80 is out in the middle of the night doesnt quite feel right for me and we also had to get in the transport so if we have the right workforce and as we go down the cohorts, it could be something to be looked at but i dont think for the age of people and tiber people coming through at the moment it would be most suitable. The type of people. I most suitable. The type of eole. ~. , most suitable. The type of neale, ~. , [q most suitable. The type of eole. ~. ,. , most suitable. The type of eole. ~. ,. ,. People. I know you are incredibly bus so people. I know you are incredibly busy so grateful people. I know you are incredibly busy so grateful for people. I know you are incredibly busy so grateful for you people. I know you are incredibly busy so grateful for you to people. I know you are incredibly busy so grateful for you to talk i people. I know you are incredibly| busy so grateful for you to talk to us, i hope we havent delayed you too much but youre doing an amazing job and well done to you for that. We have got the downing street briefing coming up any minute now. While we wait for matt hancock, the Health Secretary to come out, lets talk to chris mason. We talked about how well the vaccination is going, it is a good news story for the government to sell, the only issue is they dont want people to become complacent about applying with restrictions . Complacent about applying with restrictions . ,. , restrictions . That is the dilemma the government restrictions . That is the dilemma the government faces. Restrictions . That is the dilemma the government faces. On restrictions . That is the dilemma the government faces. On the i restrictions . That is the dilemma l the government faces. On the one the government faces. 0n the one hand, the news has never been more bright, where the vaccine is concerned, 4 million vaccine is now administered. But on the other hand, coronavirus has never been more bleak when you look at the rate of hospitalisations. The doctors will tell you of the vaccinations will not help as far as hospitalisations are concerned for another couple of weeks. It is a difficult message for the government to try and get right. What has been very striking in the
last week or so, the government is very conscious about carrying on both hands, syringes full of expectation management, not making too many bold and immediate promises about what will happen in the short term forfear, frankly, that about what will happen in the short term for fear, frankly, that the news isnt as good as previously billed. Remember last year, the Prime Minister talking about breaking the back of things in 12 weeks, being back to normal by christmas. None of those things happen. This time, the language is a bit more careful and nuanced in how it is assembled. Yes, the government have set deadlines as far as vaccines are concerned, but there is the hope from some they are underestimating how quickly they can. ,. , can. Ok, here is the Health Secretary. Can. Ok, here is the Health Secretary, matt can. Ok, here is the Health Secretary, matt hancock. Can. Ok, here is the healthl secretary, matt hancock. That evening and welcome to downing street for todays Coronavirus Briefing. I am joined street for todays Coronavirus Briefing. Iamjoined by street for todays Coronavirus Briefing. I am joined by the medical director of nhs england and by
doctor Susan Hopkins, chief medical advisor to Public Health england and nhs test and trace. I want to bring you up today with the latest data on the disease and on our vaccine plan. Today, 37,535 positive coronavirus cases were recorded. The nhs is under significant pressure in all parts of the country. There are 37,475 people in uk hospitals with coronavirus. That is the highest it has been throughout the pandemic. And someone is admitted to hospital every 30 seconds and sadly, today, 599 more deaths were recorded. That is 599 more people who have died
from this terrible disease and left loved ones and their families from this terrible disease and left loved ones and theirfamilies in mourning. I know the pain that this disease causes. And i am determined to do everything we possibly can to defeat it. I know that is what you want, too. And our vaccine Delivery Plan is absolutely at the core of this. It is our way out and it is also the biggest medical deployment in british history and it is one of the biggest civilian operations this country has ever undertaken. 0ur country has ever undertaken. Our approach, of course, is to save as many lives as possible, as quickly as possible and to reduce the pressure on the nhs. We are on track to deliver our plan, to vaccinate the most vulnerable groups by the middle of february, the groups that account for 88 of covid deaths. I am very glad to report that of midnight last night, we have now
vaccinated 4,062,501 people across the united kingdom. We are currently vaccinating more than double the rate per person, per day than any other country in europe. Latest data shows we have now vaccinated more than half of those over 80, as well as half of our elderly care home residents. We all know that these are the groups who are most vulnerable to covid. And we know that every jab counts vulnerable to covid. And we know that everyjab counts and i am pleased we have been able to meet this milestone. Some areas of the country have done even better. There are some parts where the vast majority of octogenarians have been vaccinated and there are some places, for instance, slough, who had vaccinated all of their care home residents. I want to thank all
those who have been doing this enormous task and in particular slough and other places around the country who have reached the critical goal of making sure that everybody in a care home can be vaccinated. This means that in those areas where the vast majority of people in the top two Priority Groups have been vaccinated from today, we can start moving on to the over 705. And those under 70 who are clinically, extremely vulnerable. We are doing this because it is the best way to maximise the pace of the roll out and to deliver according to the clinical prioritisation, all with the goal of saving as many lives as possible, as quickly as possible and reducing the pressure is on the nhs. I want to say to anybody who is aged over 80 but hasnt yet had theirjab, i want to say we will reach you. The nhs will
contact you and you will have your invitation to be vaccinated within the next four weeks. I am absolutely determined to do all that i possibly can to support people in care homes while we get this vaccination done as soon as possible. 0ver while we get this vaccination done as soon as possible. Over the weekend i announced a £120 million to support Staffing Levels in social care and that is in addition to the £149 million we recently made available to support the regular staff testing in care homes. I want to thank everyone working in social care for the incredible way you have stepped up for those who you care for. You make us all proud. I dont know as we continue to live under these difficult restrictions, people want to know the way forward for everyone. 0urvaccine want to know the way forward for everyone. 0ur Vaccine Programme continues to accelerate and expand and another ten large scale and another ten la rge scale vaccination
and another ten large scale Vaccination Centres came on stream in england just this morning. But in the meantime, we must all continue to play our part. We must stay at home, where ever possible and take vital steps like the basics of hands, space and face, letting fresh air in and keeping to the rules on social distancing. Dont blow it now, we are on the route out, protecting the most vulnerable, we are getting the virus under control. Together, i know we can do it and we have got to stick at it. Especially with our plans for all adults in the uk to be offered a Covid Vaccine by september. Just before i end, i want to say this. There are many more ways anybody can help in this Great National effort. Of course, following the rules is the single most important thing people can do. But more formally, people are helping by being a community
volunteer or signing up for Clinical Trials for vaccines and for therapeutics, other 50,000 people therapeutics, other 50 , 000 people who therapeutics, other 50,000 people who have now signed up for the suns jabs army, and i want to thank each and every one of you and the Sun Newspaper for leading and every one of you and the Sun Newspaperfor leading in and every one of you and the Sun Newspaper for leading in this and every one of you and the Sun Newspaperfor leading in this part of the national effort. But also informally, too. This is something i know so many people are doing in every part of the country and i see it every day and people talk about it every day and people talk about it to me all the time. It inspires me how people are helping in adversity. A grandson helping their grandma to book an appointment online or neighbours dropping off essentials on the doorstep. All the Community Groups getting together to help drive people to a Vaccination Centre so people can get the all importantjab. Ifind it really heartening and the kind actions we
are seeing from so many people, especially when people need help. So thank you for all that you are doing for your loved ones, for your communities, for yourfriends for your loved ones, for your communities, for your friends and colleagues and neighbours. Being there for each other is so important in these difficult days and in that spirit, that can help us all get to the brighter times that i know are ahead. Thank you for watching so far and now we are going to turn straight to the question is, firstly from members of the public. The first question is from amanda from stourbridge. First question is from amanda from stourbridge stourbridge. With the alarming increase in stourbridge. With the alarming increase in hospital stourbridge. With the alarmingj increase in hospital admissions stourbridge. With the alarming increase in hospital admissions and casualties from the virus, what are the plans to protect those working on the front line, supermarket workers, delivery drivers, teachers etc. Can lateral flow testing be
made available for them locally if it is not practical for them to be vaccinated during the first few roll out of the vaccine. Vaccinated during the first few rollout of the vaccine. Vaccinated during the first few rollout of the vaccine. Thank you. It is a rollout of the vaccine. Thank you. It is a great rollout of the vaccine. Thank you. It is a great question, rollout of the vaccine. Thank you. It is a great question, very it is a great question, very important and it is a great question, very importantand i it is a great question, very important and i will turn to susan to talk about the Testing Operations we have got in place and also ask steve to talk about the pressures we are seeing on the nhs. What i would say is in terms of vaccinations, we are working through the most clinically vulnerable. That is the most important thing to do, because it is all calibrated on reducing the number of deaths as fast as possible. After we have got through those who are clinically vulnerable, as set out by the independent experts, then we will turn to the wider group. Your question was much broader in what can we do to help in the meantime whilst we get the vaccine rolled out to the clinically vulnerable groups . Vaccine rolled out to the clinically vulnerable groups . Thank you. I am deliahted vulnerable groups . Thank you. I am delighted to vulnerable groups . Thank you. I am delighted to say vulnerable groups . Thank you. I am
delighted to say that vulnerable groups . Thank you. I am delighted to say that mh vulnerable groups . Thank you. I am delighted to say that mh are vulnerable groups . Thank you. I am delighted to say that mh are a vulnerable groups . Thank you. I am delighted to say that mh are a have | delighted to say that mh are a have approved lateral flow devices as are used to help us do that. We are rolling out lateral flow devices throughout the community through testing sites and also workplaces, to allow people to get tested where they are asymptomatic to reduce the spread of disease. We have detected more than 37 individuals through lateral flow tests over the last number of weeks and we will continue to roll them out rapidly as an additional tool to help get this virus under control. Virus under control. Thanks. Critically. Virus under control. Thanks. Critically, there virus under control. Thanks. Critically, there are virus under control. Thanks. Critically, there are now virus under control. Thanks. | critically, there are now local lateral flow testing site you can go to that you can walk in a symptomatically without booking. If you are in one of those groups working on the front line and your employer does not do it, you can now go and get a test a symptomatically. 0n the nhs pressures, can you give us an update . On the nhs pressures, can you give us an update . On the nhs pressures, can you give us an update . Amanda, as you said, as case rates us an update . Amanda, as you said, as case rates have us an update . Amanda, as you said, as case rates have started us an update . Amanda, as you said, as case rates have started to as case rates have started to increase as case rates have started to increase over the last month or so,
we have increase over the last month or so, we have seen increasing pressure on the nhs we have seen increasing pressure on the nhs and many, many more people coming the nhs and many, many more people coming into the nhs and many, many more people coming into hospital beds. Since christmas coming into hospital beds. Since christmas eve, around 15,000 people have been christmas eve, around 15,000 people have been admitted with coronavirus into our have been admitted with coronavirus into our hospitals and that is well over 20 into our hospitals and that is well over 20 hospitals worth of new patients over 20 hospitals worth of new patients. Staff are managing magnificently. The treatments are now better and fewer people are having now better and fewer people are having to now better and fewer people are having to be treated in our intensive having to be treated in our intensive care units, but nevertheless we are seeing extreme pressure. Nevertheless we are seeing extreme pressure, more than we have ever seen, pressure, more than we have ever seen, before than the first peak in both general beds and also intensive care unit both general beds and also intensive care unit beds. It is absolutely Critical Care unit beds. It is absolutely critical that we continue to stick to those critical that we continue to stick to those social distancing rules that are to those social distancing rules that are in to those social distancing rules that are in place, that we dont rely yet that are in place, that we dont rely yet on that are in place, that we dont rely yet on vaccines coming to our rescue rely yet on vaccines coming to our rescue it rely yet on vaccines coming to our rescue. It will be some time before the etfects rescue. It will be some time before the effects of the Vaccination Programme are seen through into reducing programme are seen through into reducing pressure on hospitals. We all have
reducing pressure on hospitals. We all have a reducing pressure on hospitals. We all have a role to play in reducing the risk all have a role to play in reducing the risk of all have a role to play in reducing the risk of transmission and taking the risk of transmission and taking the pressure off our hospitals. The final thing the pressure off our hospitals. The final thing i the pressure off our hospitals. The final thing i would say is, on behalf final thing i would say is, on behalf of final thing i would say is, on behalf of nhs workers, a huge thanks to our behalf of nhs workers, a huge thanks to our colleagues in education, teachers to our colleagues in education, teachers who have been looking after the children of our nhs staff, supermarkets who have assisted in our nhs supermarkets who have assisted in our nhs staff in making sure they can get our nhs staff in making sure they can get their groceries and necessities for home. We really value necessities for home. We really value that, but we will continue to do what value that, but we will continue to do what we value that, but we will continue to do what we have always done and treat do what we have always done and treat everybody who needs care. Thanks treat everybody who needs care. Thanks very much. The next question is from josh from newcastle. The question is, how much would it matter if there were a high surge of cases amongst young people in vulnerable groups were protected by the vaccine . Thank you for this question. It is incredibly important and it is one that we think hard about. The most difficult question
we dont yet have an answer to is how much the vaccine protects the most vulnerable groups, notjust from catching covid, but also from serious disease and the degree of transmission that you get from people who have caught covid. But of course, its notjust the most vulnerable, those in the top four Priority Groups who do consist of the vast majority of deaths, 88 of deaths, but for hospitalisations, younger people are more likely than that to end up in hospital. So it is a very careful calibration that we have to work on to get the answer to your question and scientifically, the information isnt there yet. The next question is from hugh pym, from the bbc. , ~ next question is from hugh pym, from the sac. , ~ ,. , next question is from hugh pym, from the bbc. , ~ ,. , next question is from hugh pym, from the sac. , ~ y. Y. The bbc. Thank you very much, secretary the bbc. Thank you very much, secretary of the bbc. Thank you very much, secretary of state. The bbc. Thank you very much, secretary of state. There the bbc. Thank you very much, secretary of state. There are i secretary of state. There are regional secretary of state. There are regional variations secretary of state. There are regional variations in secretary of state. There are regional variations in the secretary of state. There are regional variations in the vaccine, according regional variations in the vaccine, according to regional variations in the vaccine, according to some regional variations in the vaccine, according to some reports, regional variations in the vaccine, i according to some reports, although the overall according to some reports, although the overall numbers according to some reports, although the overall numbers are according to some reports, althoughl the overall numbers are encouraging. What do the overall numbers are encouraging. What do you the overall numbers are encouraging. What do you say the overall numbers are encouraging. What do you say to the overall numbers are encouraging. What do you say to local the overall numbers are encouraging. What do you say to local teams the overall numbers are encouraging. What do you say to local teams who l what do you say to local teams who say they what do you say to local teams who say they cannot what do you say to local teams who say they cannot get what do you say to local teams who say they cannot get hold what do you say to local teams who say they cannot get hold of what do you say to local teams who say they cannot get hold of enoughl say they cannot get hold of enough doses . You are right that there are parts of the country that have made very significant progress and gone a bit faster than the average, and i thank them, congratulate them, places like slough that i mentioned in my comments. What we are doing now is making sure that whilst they of course will be able to move on to the next group, we are prioritising the next group, we are prioritising the vaccine into those parts of the country that need to complete the over 805 but we dont want to stop the areas that have effectively done that job already. The areas that have effectively done thatjob already. We want them to carry on but the priority for the
vaccine is according to thejcvi prioritisation list. As i said in my remarks, if you are over 80, wherever you are in the country, you will be invited by the nhs over the next four weeks and hopefully sooner rather than later and in fact, when i was on my way to the press conference, i got an e mailfrom a friend and constituents saying he had just got his e mail this morning, it is let it this morning and his vaccination done today. It is happening every day with more and more people over 80 being vaccinated. 0f more people over 80 being vaccinated. Of the critical thing is to make sure that everybody can get it, but we are putting more supply into the areas that have more to do. The final thing i would say on this point is that supply main factor. The nhs have brilliantly been able to deliver the amount of supply that we have and we have available ready to go out. And that is the work they
have been doing. Next question from itv. ,. , , have been doing. Next question from itv. , , itv. There will obviously be huge relief that the itv. There will obviously be huge relief that the vaccine itv. There will obviously be huge| relief that the Vaccine Programme going relief that the Vaccine Programme going ahead relief that the Vaccine Programme going ahead at relief that the Vaccine Programme going ahead at pace relief that the Vaccine Programme going ahead at pace but relief that the Vaccine Programme going ahead at pace but what relief that the Vaccine Programme going ahead at pace but what do i relief that the Vaccine Programme i going ahead at pace but what do you say to going ahead at pace but what do you say to those going ahead at pace but what do you say to those over going ahead at pace but what do you say to those over 805 going ahead at pace but what do you say to those over 805 who going ahead at pace but what do you say to those over 805 who still going ahead at pace but what do you say to those over 805 who still have| say to those over 805 who still have not been say to those over 805 who still have not been vaccinated say to those over 805 who still have not been vaccinated who say to those over 805 who still have not been vaccinated who are say to those over 805 who still have| not been vaccinated who are hearing that others not been vaccinated who are hearing that others are not been vaccinated who are hearing that others are younger not been vaccinated who are hearing that others are younger than not been vaccinated who are hearing that others are younger than them l that others are younger than them are getting that others are younger than them are getting it that others are younger than them are getting it first . That others are younger than them are getting it first . And that others are younger than them are getting it first . And what that others are younger than them are getting it first . And what is. Are getting it first . And what is the reason are getting it first . And what is the reason some are getting it first . And what is the reason some areas are getting it first . And what is the reason some areas are are getting it first . And what is. The reason some areas are doing are getting it first . And what is the reason some areas are doing so much the reason some areas are doing so much better the reason some areas are doing so much better than the reason some areas are doing so much better than other the reason some areas are doing so much better than other areas . The reason some areas are doing so much better than other areas . Is. The reason some areas are doing so much better than other areas . Is it| much better than other areas . Is it because much better than other areas . Is it because they much better than other areas . Is it because they are much better than other areas . Is it because they are not much better than other areas . Is it because they are not getting because they are not getting sufficient because they are not getting sufficient supplies because they are not getting sufficient supplies of because they are not getting sufficient supplies of the because they are not getting sufficient supplies of the vaccine or because sufficient supplies of the vaccine or because they sufficient supplies of the vaccine or because they are sufficient supplies of the vaccine or because they are less sufficient supplies of the vaccine or because they are less well or because they are less well organised . Or because they are less well organised . In or because they are less well organised . Organised . In terms of the differences organised . In terms of the differences in organised . In terms of the differences in the organised . In terms of the differences in the rate organised . In terms of the differences in the rate of i organised . In terms of the differences in the rate of progress in different parts of the country, there are all sorts of reasons. It does take time to set up each of these sites because each site has to be approved because you want to make sure that firstly it is safe in terms of people go into the site and making sure there is good Infection Control within the Vaccination Centre, and it also has to be approved to make sure that the
vaccine is properly, properly reaches the arm and all that takes a bit of time to set up. But the key thing about the goal we have set by the 15th of february is that everybody in the top four groups will be offered a vaccine by then. And of course we want to get to care homes and those over 80 sooner than that, but that means that everybody in all of these groups can be assured they will be offered by the nhs that jab assured they will be offered by the nhs thatjab by the 15th of february and we are on track to meet that target. I dont know whether professor powis wants to add something . I professor powis wants to add something . Professor powis wants to add somethin . U,. ,, professor powis wants to add somethin. . , ,. ,. , something . I cant reassure you that in the nhs it something . I cant reassure you that in the nhs it is something . I cant reassure you that in the nhs it is our something . I cant reassure you that in the nhs it is our absolute in the nhs it is our absolute priority to get vaccines to those people in this top Priority Groups as quickly as possible and of course that includes the over 805 who are the very top priority along with care home residents and we are doing that as fast as we can throughout the country also of course, at the
same time, focusing on care home staff who look after residents and Health Care Workers and this week starting to move onto the open 705. To do that we are expanding the Vaccine Programme every week and today as you heard me open ten new large scale vaccine centres and i had the privilege of being in wembley this morning next to Wembley Stadium to see the preparations that were being made by staff to open that centre this morning. I can tell you from first hand experience that they were incredibly enthusiastic and absolutely raring to go to get those jabs into those Priority Groups as quickly as possible. Thank ou. Next groups as quickly as possible. Thank you. Next question groups as quickly as possible. Thank you. Next question from groups as quickly as possible. Thank you. Next question from sky. Groups as quickly as possible. Thank you. Next question from sky. Thank| you. Next question from sky. Thank ou. You. Next question from sky. Thank you health you. Next question from sky. Thank you. Health secretary you. Next question from sky. Thank you. Health secretary can you. Next question from sky. Thank you. Health secretary can use you. Next question from sky. Thank you. Health secretary can use it you. Health secretary can use it recently you. Health secretary can use it recently its you. Health secretary can use it recently its up you. Health secretary can use it recently its up to you. Health secretary can use it recently its up to us you. Health secretary can use it recently its up to us to you. Health secretary can use it recently its up to us to have. You. Health secretary can use it recently its up to us to have a i recently its up to us to have a debate recently its up to us to have a debate as recently its up to us to have a debate as a recently its up to us to have a debate as a nation recently its up to us to have a debate as a nation about recently its up to us to have a i debate as a nation about where recently its up to us to have a debate as a nation about where we go next with debate as a nation about where we go next with the debate as a nation about where we go next with the vaccine debate as a nation about where we go next with the vaccine roll out, next with the vaccine roll out, identifying next with the vaccine roll out, identifying priority next with the vaccine roll out, identifying Priority Groups. Next with the vaccine roll out,| identifying Priority Groups. How next with the vaccine roll out, identifying Priority Groups. How do
you identify identifying Priority Groups. How do you identify who identifying Priority Groups. How do you identify who needs identifying Priority Groups. How do you identify who needs a identifying Priority Groups. How do you identify who needs a vaccine l you identify who needs a vaccine more you identify who needs a vaccine more urgently you identify who needs a vaccine more urgently between you identify who needs a vaccine more urgently between a you identify who needs a vaccine more urgently between a policel more urgently between a police officer. More urgently between a police officer. A more urgently between a police officer. A shop more urgently between a police officer, a shop worker more urgently between a police officer, a shop worker or more urgently between a police officer, a shop worker or a more urgently between a police officer, a shop worker or a teacher . And the officer, a shop worker or a teacher . And the second officer, a shop worker or a teacher . And the second question, officer, a shop worker or a teacher . And the second question, can officer, a shop worker or a teacher . And the second question, can i officer, a shop worker or a teacher . J and the second question, can i have your response and the second question, can i have your response to and the second question, can i have your response to doctor and the second question, can i have your response to doctor ted and the second question, can i have your response to doctor ted ross i your response to doctor ted ross from your response to doctor ted ross from the your response to doctor ted ross from the world your response to doctor ted ross from the world health your response to doctor ted ross l from the World Health Organization who said from the World Health Organization who said that from the World Health Organization who said that as from the World Health Organization who said that as far from the World Health Organization who said that as far as from the World Health Organization who said that as far as the from the World Health Organization who said that as far as the global. Who said that as far as the global dissolution who said that as far as the global dissolution of who said that as far as the global dissolution of the who said that as far as the global dissolution of the vaccine who said that as far as the global dissolution of the vaccine was dissolution of the vaccine was concerned. Dissolution of the vaccine was concerned. We dissolution of the vaccine was concerned, we are dissolution of the vaccine was concerned, we are witnessing dissolution of the vaccine was i concerned, we are witnessing a dystrophic concerned, we are witnessing a dystrophic moral concerned, we are witnessing a dystrophic moral failure. Concerned, we are witnessing a dystrophic moral failure. Concerned, we are witnessing a. Dystrophic moralfailure. Doctor tedros dystrophic moralfailure. Doctor tedros. ~ dystrophic moralfailure. Doctor tedros. ,. ,. , dystrophic moralfailure. Doctor tedros. ,, tedros. Thank you, i will ask susan hokins tedros. Thank you, i will ask Susan Hopkins to tedros. Thank you, i will ask Susan Hopkins to come tedros. Thank you, i will ask Susan Hopkins to come in tedros. Thank you, i will ask Susan Hopkins to come in on tedros. Thank you, i will ask Susan Hopkins to come in on the tedros. Thank you, i will ask Susan Hopkins to come in on the first tedros. Thank you, i will ask susan | hopkins to come in on the first part of that question but it is essentially the clinical advice to go through the top four groups and then through groups five to nine which takes youth to the over 505 and after that it is essentially about protecting people as well as possible which takes you. According to essentially a judgment about who we think, who should come next punt that is why i think we should have a debate about it. Because 99 of the deaths occur in the top nine groups. I mention in my opening comments, 88 are covered in the top four, 99 in the top nine. After that it really is about protecting against transmission and making sure we can get life back to normal as much as possible. Susan . Absolutely, to reiterate, those discussion absent with the joint committee for maximisation is an immunisation and we look at a range of figures immunisation and we look at a range of figures immunisation and we look at a range of figures vaccination and immunisation. And we are learning how well immunisation. And we are learning how well and continue to learn how well that how well and continue to learn how well that vaccine will protect against well that vaccine will protect against transmission and that knowledge will help inform the next Decision Making process. Clearly you can target Decision Making process. Clearly you can target groups that are transmitting more than others, who are out transmitting more than others, who are out there and working and if its not are out there and working and if its not working for transmission we need its not working for transmission we need to its not working for transmission we need to continue to target the groups need to continue to target the groups at need to continue to target the groups at the highest risk of hospitalisation and those are the
older hospitalisation and those are the older age hospitalisation and those are the older age groups. Hospitalisation and those are the older age groups. Thank you, and on the second part older age groups. Thank you, and on the second part of older age groups. Thank you, and on the second part of your older age groups. Thank you, and on the second part of your question,. Older age groups. Thank you, and on the second part of your question, i i the second part of your question, i was in communication with doctor tedros over the weekend and the uk is the worlds biggest supporter, Financial Supporter, is the worlds biggest supporter, financialsupporter, of is the worlds biggest supporter, Financial Supporter, of the Global Programme to ensure access to vaccines in all countries in the world through organisations like covax and sepi and not only have we developed in partnership with our scientists at oxford and astrazeneca what is currently the most Cost Effective vaccine available, the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine, we have also put the most Financial Support into these International Efforts to ensure everybody has access to vaccine content i absolutely agree with doctor tedros on the importance of a global roll out, and in the uk
we can be proud of what we are doing to support that happening financially. And i look forward to working with the World Health Organization and others, including in sepi, covax and other organisations, to make sure we get enough vaccine to be able to vaccinate the whole world and certainly the whole worlds Adult Population for which vaccines are now approved. Question from the i. After a rapid acceleration in vaccine after a rapid acceleration in vaccine delivery after a rapid acceleration in vaccine delivery over after a rapid acceleration in vaccine delivery over the. After a rapid acceleration in vaccine delivery over the course of last week, vaccine delivery over the course of last week, we vaccine delivery over the course of last week, we have vaccine delivery over the course of last week, we have seen vaccine delivery over the course of last week, we have seen a last week, we have seen a significant last week, we have seen a significant dip last week, we have seen a significant dip in last week, we have seen a significant dip in the last week, we have seen a. Significant dip in the figures last week, we have seen a significant dip in the figures from today significant dip in the figures from today and significant dip in the figures from today and yesterday significant dip in the figures from today and yesterday pulled significant dip in the figures from today and yesterday pulled whitej significant dip in the figures from. Today and yesterday pulled white do fewer today and yesterday pulled white do fewer vaccines today and yesterday pulled white do fewer vaccines seem today and yesterday pulled white do fewer vaccines seem to today and yesterday pulled white do fewer vaccines seem to be fewer vaccines seem to be administered fewer vaccines seem to be administered at fewer vaccines seem to be administered at weekendsj fewer vaccines seem to be administered at weekends and what are you administered at weekends and what are you doing administered at weekends and what are you doing to administered at weekends and what are you doing to ensure administered at weekends and what are you doing to ensure that
administered at weekends and what are you doing to ensure that the are you doing to ensure that the programme are you doing to ensure that the programme is are you doing to ensure that the programme is providing are you doing to ensure that the programme is providing a are you doing to ensure that the programme is providing a full. Are you doing to ensure that the programme is providing a full seven Day Service Programme is providing a full seven Day Service Programme is providing a full seven day service why programme is providing a full seven day service why are programme is providing a full seven day service why are they . Programme is providing a full seven day service why are they . The i day service why are they . The vaccine delivery day service why are they . The vaccine delivery is day service why are they . Tip; vaccine delivery is absolutely delivering a full seven day service and, as you well know, we are prepared to go 24 7. There are movements in supply and making sure we get the supply to peoples arms as fast as possible which is absolutely critical so i would not read too much into an individual days data, the best thing to do is look at the weekly averages and you can see that going up as you said and going up fast. Each can see that going up as you said and going up fast. Can see that going up as you said and going up fast. Each week went the su l and going up fast. Each week went the supply comes and going up fast. Each week went the supply comes through, and going up fast. Each week went i the supply comes through, increasing the supply comes through, increasing the number ofjabs we get into peoples arms and thats throughout the weekend and the focus on the nhs is to absolutely make sure this is a seven day service and to get as many vaccines delivered to those Priority Groups as possible. We will continue to increase the number of
vaccinations at the supply comes through and that will be throughout the week. Tithe through and that will be throughout the week. ,. , through and that will be throughout the week. ,. ,. ,. , ~ the week. One other point to make and one i the week. One other point to make and one i we the week. One other point to make and one i ive made the week. One other point to make and one i ive made many the week. One other point to make and one i ive made many times. The week. One other point to make i and one i ive made many times which is that supply is the rate limiting factor. The nhs is doing a brilliant job but if you listen to the voices on the ground in the nhs, you hear people saying, give us more supply and we will get it into more arms and we will get it into more arms and we will get it into more arms and we are obviously working with the manufacturers who are doing a brilliantjob of getting it made and distributed as quickly as possible. We are shovelling it out as fast as we can. Thank you. Next question from pa. ,. , from pa. Good afternoon, secretary of state. From pa. Good afternoon, secretary of state can from pa. Good afternoon, secretary of state. Can you from pa. Good afternoon, secretary of state. Can you confirm from pa. Good afternoon, secretary of state. Can you confirm your of state. Can you confirm your intention of state. Can you confirm your intention to of state. Can you confirm your intention to start of state. Can you confirm your intention to start lifting intention to start lifting restrictions intention to start lifting restrictions in intention to start lifting restrictions in early intention to start lifting i restrictions in early march intention to start lifting restrictions in early march when immunity restrictions in early march when immunity in restrictions in early march when immunity in for restrictions in early march when immunity in for those restrictions in early march when immunity in for those first restrictions in early march when immunity in for those first top i restrictions in early march when. Immunity in for those first top four priority immunity in for those first top four Priority Groups immunity in for those first top four Priority Groups who immunity in for those first top four Priority Groups who are immunity in for those first top four Priority Groups who are currently i Priority Groups who are currently getting Priority Groups who are currently getting the Priority Groups who are currently getting the vaccine . Priority groups who are currently getting the vaccine . And Priority Groups who are currently getting the vaccine . And given. Priority groups who are currently. Getting the vaccine . And given that reopening
getting the vaccine . And given that reopening schools getting the vaccine . And given that reopening schools is getting the vaccine . And given that reopening schools is a getting the vaccine . And given that reopening schools is a national reopening schools is a national priority. Reopening schools is a national priority. Is reopening schools is a national priority. Is it reopening schools is a national priority, is it your reopening schools is a national priority, is it your intention reopening schools is a national priority, is it your intention toi priority, is it your intention to open priority, is it your intention to open them priority, is it your intention to open them fully priority, is it your intention to open them fully around priority, is it your intention to open them fully around the i priority, is it your intention to open them fully around the same time and how open them fully around the same time and how do open them fully around the same time and how do you open them fully around the same time and how do you plan open them fully around the same time and how do you plan to open them fully around the same time and how do you plan to alleviate open them fully around the same time and how do you plan to alleviate the i and how do you plan to alleviate the fears teachers and how do you plan to alleviate the fears teachers and and how do you plan to alleviate the fears teachers and parents and how do you plan to alleviate the fears teachers and parents who and how do you plan to alleviate the. Fears teachers and parents who might be worried fears teachers and parents who might be worried about fears teachers and parents who might be worried about transmission . Fears teachers and parents who might be worried about transmission . And i be worried about transmission . And on the be worried about transmission . And on the question be worried about transmission . And on the question of be worried about transmission . And on the question of summer be worried about transmission . Andi on the question of summer holidays, we are on the question of summer holidays, we are now on the question of summer holidays, we are now vaccinating on the question of summer holidays, we are now vaccinating around on the question of summer holidays, we are now vaccinating around 2 we are now vaccinating around 2 million we are now vaccinating around 2 Million People we are now vaccinating around 2 Million People a we are now vaccinating around 2 Million People a week we are now vaccinating around 2 Million People a week which we are now vaccinating around 2. Million people a week which means we are now vaccinating around 2 Million People a week which means at this rate Million People a week which means at this rate all Million People a week which means at this rate all adults Million People a week which means at this rate all adults should Million People a week which means at this rate all adults should have this rate all adults should have received this rate all adults should have received their this rate all adults should have received their first this rate all adults should have received their first dose this rate all adults should have received their first dose of this rate all adults should have received their first dose of the | received their first dose of the vaccine received their first dose of the vaccine hy received their first dose of the vaccine by the received their first dose of the vaccine by the start received their first dose of the vaccine by the start of received their first dose of the vaccine by the start of the received their first dose of the i vaccine by the start of the School Summer vaccine by the start of the School Summer holidays. Vaccine by the start of the School Summer holidays. Can vaccine by the start of the School Summer holidays. Can families i vaccine by the start of the school. Summer holidays. Can families now feel confident summer holidays. Can families now feel confident in summer holidays. Can families now feel confident in booking summer holidays. Can families now feel confident in booking a summer holidays. Can families now feel confident in booking a break. Feel confident in booking a break for around feel confident in booking a break foraround then . Feel confident in booking a break for around then . 0n feel confident in booking a break for around then . Feel confident in booking a break for around then . On the summer holida s, for around then . On the summer holidays. Lm for around then . On the summer holidays, im going for around then . On the summer holidays, im going to for around then . On the summer holidays, im going to cornwall. I holidays, im going to cornwall. Ive said before i think we will have a Great British summer but we have a Great British summer but we have a Great British summer but we have a lot of work to do between now and then but what we can do is see the line of sight to vaccinating everybody by september and anything before that would be a bonus. A5 everybody by september and anything before that would be a bonus. As the foreign secretary said yesterday, we are driving this as fast as we possibly can. On the lifting of restrictions, i might ask susan to
comment on this as well but we have got to watch the data and the Prime Minister, when he brought in the national lockdown, set out four considerations that we have seen the number of deaths coming down and sadly we have not seen that yet. We need to clearly see the pressure on the nhs reducing and as youve heard from professor powis, we are not seeing that yet. And then the two other considerations are that we must see the Vaccination Programme working, and the roll out is going really well so that is clearly on track. But we still have a massive effort and we need to see the efficacy of the vaccine working in practice, saving lives, which we know it will from the Clinical Trials but we want to see that actually happening on the ground. And the fourth consideration is that there is not some other new variant
in the same way that in december we discovered the new variant that caused so many difficulties and meant that the old three tiered system ceased to work product we monitor all the time for new variants and, as you know, we have taken a very significant and rapid action to protect britain from new variants that are spotted overseas. Those are the considerations and we monitor them all the time. Absolutely, we monitor the date of the absolutely, we monitor the date of the data absolutely, we monitor the date of the data on a daily basis and review the data on a daily basis and review it the data on a daily basis and review it as the data on a daily basis and review it as to when and what you think review it as to when and what you think might review it as to when and what you think might happen next. On schools, we have think might happen next. On schools, we have always said schools should be we have always said schools should he the we have always said schools should he the last we have always said schools should be the last to close and first to open be the last to close and first to open but be the last to close and first to open but i be the last to close and first to open but i think giving a more defined open but i think giving a more defined date for that is very difficult defined date for that is very difficult until we see what happens over the difficult until we see what happens over the next few weeks. Difficult until we see what happens over the next few weeks. Thank you very much over the next few weeks. Thank you very much and over the next few weeks. Thank you very much. And the over the next few weeks. Thank you very much. And the final over the next few weeks. Thank you very much. And the final question i over the next few weeks. Thank you very much. And the final question is from the bmj. Very much. And the final question is
from the bmj very much. And the final question is from the bmj. Thank you very much. Doctors and from the bmj. Thank you very much. Doctors and our from the bmj. Thank you very much. Doctors and our readership from the bmj. Thank you very much. Doctors and our readership are doctors and our readership are fearful doctors and our readership are fearful they doctors and our readership are fearful they may doctors and our readership are fearful they may be doctors and our readership are fearful they may be forced doctors and our readership are fearful they may be forced into doctors and our readership are fearful they may be forced into some unimaginable fearful they may be forced into some unimaginable decisions fearful they may be forced into some unimaginable decisions over fearful they may be forced into some unimaginable decisions over which. Unimaginable decisions over which patients unimaginable decisions over which patients to unimaginable decisions over which patients to treat unimaginable decisions over which patients to treat because unimaginable decisions over which| patients to treat because intensive care units patients to treat because intensive care units are patients to treat because intensive care units are so patients to treat because intensive care units are so full. Patients to treat because intensive care units are so full. Will patients to treat because intensive care units are so full. Will the care units are so full. Will the government care units are so full. Will the government introduce care units are so full. Will the government introduce emergency legislation government introduce emergency legislation to government introduce emergency legislation to protect government introduce emergency legislation to protect those government introduce emergency legislation to protect those staff. Legislation to protect those staff who are legislation to protect those staff who are concerned legislation to protect those staff who are concerned they legislation to protect those staff who are concerned they may legislation to protect those staffl who are concerned they may face legal who are concerned they may face legal action. Who are concerned they may face legal action, worried who are concerned they may face legal action, worried they who are concerned they may face legal action, worried they mightl who are concerned they may face i legal action, worried they might be sued for legal action, worried they might be sued for unlawful legal action, worried they might be sued for unlawful killing legal action, worried they might be sued for unlawful killing when legal action, worried they might be i sued for unlawful killing when these staff are sued for unlawful killing when these staff are working sued for unlawful killing when these staff are working in sued for unlawful killing when these staff are working in challenging staff are working in challenging working staff are working in challenging working conditions staff are working in challenging working conditions which staff are working in challenging working conditions which are i staff are working in challenging working conditions which are beyond their control working conditions which are beyond their control so working conditions which are beyond their control so can working conditions which are beyond their control so can you working conditions which are beyond their control so can you say their control so can you say anything their control so can you say anything on their control so can you say anything on that . Their control so can you say anything on that . Their control so can you say anything on that . Thank you very much and l anything on that . Thank you very much and i know anything on that . Thank you very much and i know this anything on that . Thank you very much and i know this is anything on that . Thank you very much and i know this is a anything on that . Thank you very much and i know this is a very. Much and i know this is a very serious concern. I obviously saw the letter that was written to me on this subject. Im very glad to say that we are not in a position where doctors have to make those sorts of choices and i very much hope that we dont get into that situation and everybody can get the treatment they deserve. So the clear advice that i
haveis deserve. So the clear advice that i have is that it is not necessary at this point to change the law on this matter, and obviously, having answered the question directly, i also want to add how much i admire and understand the strain on doctors who are having to work in incredibly difficult circumstances and how grateful i am to them because those judgments weigh heavily. And so of course i will keep this and i take very seriously questions of this nature, but i am reassured that we do not have to change the law on this point but obviously i keep talking to the chief medical officer and professor powis for about a subject like this. Asi as i said earlier, the nhs is under huge as i said earlier, the nhs is under huge amounts of pressure and doctors and other huge amounts of pressure and doctors and other clinicians are doing a
magnificentjob and and other clinicians are doing a magnificent job and coping with the number magnificent job and coping with the number of magnificent job and coping with the number of patients with covid we are seeing. Number of patients with covid we are seeing. I number of patients with covid we are seeing. I know they are providing the very seeing. I know they are providing the very best care. We have been planning the very best care. We have been planning for a potential wave such as this planning for a potential wave such as this since the first wave last spring. As this since the first wave last spring. So as this since the first wave last spring, so we have been able to open more spring, so we have been able to open more intensive care beds, because we plan for more intensive care beds, because we plan for that more intensive care beds, because we plan for that over the summer and early plan for that over the summer and early autumn. The priority all along has been early autumn. The priority all along has been to early autumn. The priority all along has been to make sure we can flex that capacity, open the extra capacity that capacity, open the extra capacity so doctors and other clinicians capacity so doctors and other clinicians can do what they always do, clinicians can do what they always do. Which clinicians can do what they always do. Which is clinicians can do what they always do, which is make decisions in the best interests of the patients they are treating in front of them. That is what are treating in front of them. That is what we are treating in front of them. That is what we will continue to do. Increase is what we will continue to do. Increase capacity and, if necessary, by mutual increase capacity and, if necessary, by mutual aid between hospitals. One of the by mutual aid between hospitals. One of the great things about a National Health of the great things about a national Health Service is that our hospitals and other Health Service is that our hospitals and other Health Care Settings can work and other Health Care Settings can Work Together as one. If one hospital Work Together as one. If one hospital is under pressure, then another hospital is under pressure, then another hospital close by, and very
occasionally, hospitals at a distance, can provide that assistance so it is always possible to provide assistance so it is always possible to provide the care that patients reguire to provide the care that patients reguire | to provide the care that patients reauire. To provide the care that patients reauire. , require. I will ust end by saying this, very require. I willjust end by saying this, very serious require. I willjust end by saying this, very serious question require. I willjust end by saying this, very serious question from require. I willjust end by saying this, very serious question from the bmj about the very difficult situation that doctors would find themselves in where the nhs to be overwhelmed. That is not the situation now. The data show that we are getting this under control but that requires you to act by staying at home unless you have one of the reasons set out very clearly as to why you can leave, whether it is for exercise or if you cannot work from home. One of the other limited number of restrictions. And how important it is to follow the basics of hands, face and space and the social distancing that is critical to stopping this virus passed from one person to another. Listening to
the doctors who are working on the front line and as the professor has just set out, it is so important we listen to those voices and everybody plays their part in getting this under control. Thank you very much indeed. That is the end of the latest Coronavirus Briefing from downing street. Lets recap some of the key points from the briefing. The Health Secretary said that 37,475 are currently in hospital with coronavirus. Thats the highest figure since the beginning of the pandemic. At the current rate, the Health Secretary said that someone was being admitted to hospital with coronavirus every 30 seconds. Thats a figure we also heard yesterday from the head of the nhs in england. He did also say that the Vaccination Programme is on course to inoculate those most in need by the middle of february. More than half of those aged over 80 have received their vaccination, as well more than half of People Living in care homes. More than 4 million jabs have been given so far. Lets speak to our Political Correspondent chris mason. We have got used to these briefings giving as good figures in terms of the vaccine but bad figures in terms of cases, hospitalisation and sadly, deaths. Of cases, hospitalisation and sadly, deaths. ,. ,. , deaths. The news from hospitals has never been more deaths. The news from hospitals has never been more bleak deaths. The news from hospitals has never been more bleak and deaths. The news from hospitals has never been more bleak and the deaths. The news from hospitals has| never been more bleak and the news from vaccines has never been more bright. And they are riding those horses both at the same time, not least because the doctors acknowledge that the rising vaccination numbers are not going to help as far as hospitalisation are concerned. So central to the message from matt hancock, the vast restrictions on our liberties imposed in the lockdown is around the uk are here to stay for now. It is absolutely crucial, he argues that we stick to them. I thought the most striking quote from matt hancock was when he said, dont blow
it now, there is now a route out of this. There is the splash of optimism around the vaccines but in the short term, it is making little difference and the government is having to caveat its messaging around that to make sure people dont see the vaccine as the great white hope right now. It is the medium and long term solution, not the short term one. Medium and longterm solution, not the shortterm one. The shortterm one. Chris mason, thank you nick triggle is with me. What did we learn in terms of what was new with testing and the vaccine as well . We was new with testing and the vaccine as well . ~. Was new with testing and the vaccine as well . ~. ,. ,. ,. , as well . We heard about the lateral flow test, as well . We heard about the lateral flow test. The as well . We heard about the lateral flow test, the rapid as well . We heard about the lateral flow test, the rapid test as well . We heard about the lateral flow test, the rapid test that as well . We heard about the lateral flow test, the rapid test that can. Flow test, the rapid test that can return results in 30 minutes or so. This was something the government was talking a lot about a few months ago and with vaccine being rolled out, we have heard live less about them. In lockdown, behind the scenes, a lot of Community Rapid testing centres have been set up. They are being used by key workers and people who have to leave home to work. I think when we unlock and when lockdown starts lifting, we will see a lot more of these testing centres promoted. People will be encouraged to use them early if they spot any sign, they could be used for people who are not symptomatic yet but can be used to break the cycles and transmission. We had the question about how quickly we could lift restrictions once the highest at risk groups are vaccinated or at least offered a vaccine by mid february. 88 of deaths have beenin mid february. 88 of deaths have been in these groups. We should expect a number of hurdles to cross by mid february. The over 605 will not have been offered a vaccine and there are significant numbers of serious cases and deaths in those
age groups. We have to ensure there has been good uptake and also the vaccine isnt100 effective, so whilst some people can still be infected, we would hope they wouldnt develop serious illness. And then that plays into transmission and Susan Hopkins from Public Health england spoke about transmission and the fact that when you are vaccinated, there is no guarantee that will stop transmission. We think it will disrupt transmission, but to what extent will be crucial in terms of keeping infection is low and allowing a gradual return of normality. Allowing a gradual return of normality allowing a gradual return of normali. G ,, normality. Just stay with us because we will play normality. Just stay with us because we will play a normality. Just stay with us because we will play a bit normality. Just stay with us because we will play a bit of normality. Just stay with us because we will play a bit of what normality. Just stay with us because we will play a bit of what we normality. Just stay with us because we will play a bit of what we heard l we will play a bit of what we heard from professor stephen powers. He was talking about the pressure the Health Service is now facing. 5 Health Service is now facing. As case rates have started to increase over the case rates have started to increase over the last month or so, we have seen over the last month or so, we have seen increasing pressure on the nhs
and many, seen increasing pressure on the nhs and many, many more people coming into hospital and many, many more people coming into hospital beds. Since christmas eve, into hospital beds. Since christmas eve. Around into hospital beds. Since christmas eve, around 15,000 people have been admitted eve, around 15,000 people have been admitted with coronavirus into our hospitals admitted with coronavirus into our hospitals and that is over 20 hospital hospitals and that is over 20 hospital worth of patients. The good news is hospital worth of patients. The good news is the hospital worth of patients. The good news is the treatments are now better news is the treatments are now better and news is the treatments are now better and fewer people are having to be better and fewer people are having to be treated in our intensive care units. To be treated in our intensive care units. But to be treated in our intensive care units, but nevertheless, we are seeing units, but nevertheless, we are seeing extreme pressure, more than we have seeing extreme pressure, more than we have ever seen, before the first peak we have ever seen, before the first peak in we have ever seen, before the first peak in our we have ever seen, before the first peak in our general beds and intensive peak in our general beds and intensive care unit beds. It is absolutely critical that we continue to stick absolutely critical that we continue to stick to absolutely critical that we continue to stick to those social distancing rules to stick to those social distancing rules that to stick to those social distancing rules that are in place, that we dont rules that are in place, that we dont rely rules that are in place, that we dont rely yet vaccine is coming to our rescue dont rely yet vaccine is coming to our rescue. It will be some time before our rescue. It will be some time before the our rescue. It will be some time before the effects of the Vaccination Programme are seen through Vaccination Programme are seen through into reducing pressure on hospitals. Through into reducing pressure on hospitals. We all have a role to play hospitals. We all have a role to play in hospitals. We all have a role to play in reducing the risk of transmission and taking the pressure
off our transmission and taking the pressure off our hospitals. The final thing i would off our hospitals. The final thing i would say off our hospitals. The final thing i would say is on behalf of nhs workers. Would say is on behalf of nhs workers, a huge thanks to our colleagues in education, the teachers colleagues in education, the teachers who have been looking after the children of our nhs staff, the supermarkets who have assisted in our nhs supermarkets who have assisted in our nhs staff in making sure they can get our nhs staff in making sure they can get their groceries and necessities for home. We really value necessities for home. We really value that. But we will continue to do what value that. But we will continue to do what weve always done and treat everybody do what weve always done and treat everybody who needs care. That do what weve always done and treat everybody who needs care. Everybody who needs care. That was professor stephen everybody who needs care. That was professor Stephen Powys everybody who needs care. That was professor Stephen Powys speaking i everybody who needs care. That was| professor Stephen Powys speaking at the downing street briefing. We have heard about one patient being admitted to hospital every 30 seconds, which is an extraordinary idea. How would you characterise the pressure now on hospitals around the country . Ii pressure now on hospitals around the count . ,. , ~ pressure now on hospitals around the count . , country . If we look at the figures, they speak country . If we look at the figures, they speak for country . If we look at the figures, they speak for themselves. Country . If we look at the figures, they speak for themselves. There | country . If we look at the figures, i they speak for themselves. There is more than 37,000 patients with covid in hospital. That means around a
third of beds are taken up with Covid Patients and the peak in the spring was just over 20,000 patients in hospital with covid. Many, many more patients in now than even back in the spring. If you look at the numbers of daily admission is coming in, it has started dropping, but it is still around 4000 new cases brought in every day. To put that into some context, even in a bad winter we would expect to see 1000 new admissions for all types of respiratory illness and of course, covid is more serious and causes more serious illness and that is why hospitals are under huge pressure. Critical care capacity, the number of Critical Care beds has increased by a quarter since early november. But theres no extra staff to staff these beds, said the nhs is having to redeploy staff into intensive care areas. That is why, Stephen Powys, the nhs england medical director and the Health Secretary,
matt hancock, were very clear in stressing that we cannot blow it now and we must stick at this. We are beginning to see infections come down. The last two days, the number of new cases has been below 40,000. At the turn of the year we were seeing an average of 60,000 a day. They want to keep bringing these down and then hopefully in a couple of weeks we will start to see the numbers of cases in hospital fall as well. ,. ,. , numbers of cases in hospital fall as well. , numbers of cases in hospital fall as well. , ~ well. Good to see you, thank you very much well. Good to see you, thank you very much. Lets well. Good to see you, thank you very much. Lets get well. Good to see you, thank you very much. Lets get around well. Good to see you, thank you very much. Lets get around up i well. Good to see you, thank you. Very much. Lets get around up from the rest of the united kingdom. Nicola sturgeon used her Daily Briefing to stress the importance of the stay at home order and announced a new nhs medical delivery service, small grants for carers and additionalfunding for small grants for carers and additional funding for taxi drivers as well. We additional funding for taxi drivers as well. ~ ~. , additional funding for taxi drivers as well. ~ ~. ,. , additional funding for taxi drivers aswell. ~. ,. , as well. We know that some people find it difficult as well. We know that some people find it difficult to as well. We know that some people find it difficult to visit as well. We know that some people find it difficult to visit their find it difficult to visit their local pharmacy, either because of the clinical conditions because the nearest pharmacy is some way away. And that is always true during the winter months when bad weather makes it harder for people to walk to pharmacies, especially as they might be right now, are required to queue outside before being served. Many pharmacies already offer deliveries but we want to establish a more consistent and comprehensive service. We are investing £5 million to establish and nhs medicines delivery service, which will be available to approximately 1. 5 Million People across the country, including those who have been shielding and other people whose pharmacists would believe benefit from the service. It will be operational by the end of the month and it will be available until at least the end of march, although we will keep that under review. This will keep that under review. This will reduce the need for some people to go outside for their medicines at a time when transmission rates are still high and it will help people who struggle to get to their nearest pharmacy. And then show everybody has access to the medication they
need. The second issue i want to cover it relates to Additional Support we will be providing for carers and spend time looking after a family member, loved one or friend. Carers do an exceptionaljob every time, but the pandemic has increased the pressure many feel. They have had to carry out their caring responsibilities at a time when many of them, like all of us, are worried about our own health and the health of the people they care for. Many carers have faced other difficulties during the pandemic, worries about theirjobs and finances. The pandemic means that traditional respite breaks for carers are either heavily restricted or completely unavailable. We are providing additional funding of £750,000 to support carers over the next few months. That funding will be mainly directed to local carer centres and the centres will be able to give small grants to carers who can then spend that money on something that might give them a bit
of a break during these difficult times. The centres will also be able to expand much needed Services Like support counselling and support groups. Support counselling and support mus,. ,. , support counselling and support llrous. ,. ,. , groups. Nicola sturgeon there. In wales, groups. Nicola sturgeon there. In wales. An groups. Nicola sturgeon there. In wales, an additional groups. Nicola sturgeon there. In wales, an additional £40 groups. Nicola sturgeon there. In wales, an additional £40 million| wales, an additional £40 million will be made available to support students are facing financial hardship. The announcement was made by the welsh education minister. I am very pleased to announce today the welsh am very pleased to announce today the Welsh Government will provide an additional the Welsh Government will provide an additional £40 million for universities to support students facing universities to support students facing financial hardship, helping the students most affected by this pandemic. Universities will be asked to prioritise pandemic. Universities will be asked to prioritise funding towards the most to prioritise funding towards the most vulnerable students as well as strengthening advice and support services. Strengthening advice and support services. The funding is in addition to over services. The funding is in addition to over £40 services. The funding is in addition to over £40 million the Welsh Government has already provided to help universities this financial year. Help universities this financial year, which included £10 million to student
year, which included £10 million to student hardship, Mental Health support student hardship, Mental Health support and student unions. Education creates opportunities, changes education creates opportunities, changes lives and makes society fairer changes lives and makes society fairer and changes lives and makes society fairer and is vital to long Term Economic fairer and is vital to long Term Economic prosperity. For all students economic prosperity. For all students from wales, whether you study students from wales, whether you study here students from wales, whether you study here or elsewhere in the united study here or elsewhere in the united kingdom, we have worked to create united kingdom, we have worked to create the united kingdom, we have worked to create the most generous support student create the most generous support student package in europe and that is guaranteed and is not changing. I dont is guaranteed and is not changing. I dont want is guaranteed and is not changing. I dont want to see anybody drop out from education this year because of money from education this year because of money problems. At from education this year because of money problems from education this year because of money problems. At westminster, mps have become money problems. At westminster, mps have become debating money problems. At westminster, mps have become debating a money problems. At westminster, mps have become debating a demand money problems. At westminster, mps have become debating a demand made| have become debating a demand made by the labour party for recipients of universal credit to carry on receiving an additional £20 a week. The extra payment is due to stop at the end of march and the opposition said it is political games and stunts and has instructed its mp5 to abstain from a non binding vote. Some tory backbenchers are expected to rebel. Labour says paying at the
higher rate is good for poorer families and also the wider economy. Opening the debate in the house, shadow working pensions secretary, Jonathan Reynolds urged mp5 to vote for the labour party motion. I urge eve one for the labour party motion. I urge everyone to for the labour party motion. I urge everyone to take for the labour party motion. I urge everyone to take a for the labour party motion. I urge everyone to take a moment for the labour party motion. I urge everyone to take a moment on for the labour party motion. I urge everyone to take a moment on to i everyone to take a moment on to reflect on what this will mean the people who sent us here. The and certainly it will add in an already uncertain time, the loss it will bring when we have already lost so much. The fear it will cause when what people need is hope. For our constituents, the economy and the national interest, we need to cancel this. ,. ,. National interest, we need to cancel this. ,. ,. ,. ,. , national interest, we need to cancel this. ,. ,. ,. ,. , this. Jonathan reynolds for a labour ondered this. Jonathan reynolds for a labour pondered in this. Jonathan reynolds for a labour pondered in reply. This. Jonathan reynolds for a labour pondered in reply, department this. Jonathan reynolds for a labour pondered in reply, department for. Pondered in reply, department for work and pensions minister will quincy said his party were waiting for more clarity before making a decision. ,. ,. , decision. The chancellor has always been clear that decision. The chancellor has always been clear that this decision. The chancellor has always been clear that this measure decision. The chancellor has always i been clear that this measure remains in place until the end of the financial year. In place until the end of the financialyear. I in place until the end of the financial year. I hear the calls from the Party Opposite and indeed
from the Party Opposite and indeed from the Party Opposite and indeed from the honourable gentleman for a decision now on whether universal credit the uplift is continue to post and i have sympathy with the argument that it would give claimants certainty. However, one of the evident features of a pandemic is uncertainty. If the honourable gentleman opposite is certain about what the economic and social picture will look like in april, to be frank, he must have a crystal ball. The reality is we simply do not know what the landscape will look like and that is why it is right we wait for more clarity on the national, economic and social picture before assessing the best way to support low income families moving forward. Lets go back to the vaccine roll out, a good news story so far, over 4 Million People around the country have had the vaccine and ten maxon ace Mass Vaccination Centres have opened today and i talked to sarah brown who is director for nursing at directorfor nursing at
Hertfordshire Community nhs care trust and is running a Mass Vaccination Centre at robertson housein Vaccination Centre at robertson house in stevenage which is one of the first ascent is to open and she started by telling me how its going so far. First centres. Its started by telling me how its going so far. First centres. So far. First centres. Its been rroin so far. First centres. Its been going really so far. First centres. Its been going really well, so far. First centres. Its been going really well, lovely so far. First centres. Its been going really well, lovely to so far. First centres. Its been going really well, lovely to see i so far. First centres. Its been l going really well, lovely to see so many people coming through the doors grateful to get the vaccine. Hagar grateful to get the vaccine. How many people grateful to get the vaccine. How many people do grateful to get the vaccine. How many people do get grateful to get the vaccine. How many people do get a grateful to get the vaccine. How many people do get a day would you say . Many people do get a day would you sa . Many people do get a day would you sa . ,. , say . Hundreds and hundreds. Right from the morning say . Hundreds and hundreds. Right from the morning at say . Hundreds and hundreds. Right from the morning at eight say . Hundreds and hundreds. Right from the morning at eight oclock i from the morning at eight oclock through to nearly eight oclock at night. All coming through really quickly. And absolutely relieved to get the vaccine. We have had so many compliments and it had been really rewarding for the staff. Abshd compliments and it had been really rewarding for the staff. Compliments and it had been really rewarding for the staff. And are the rueues rewarding for the staff. And are the queues long rewarding for the staff. And are the queues long first rewarding for the staff. And are the queues long first thing rewarding for the staff. And are the queues long first thing in rewarding for the staff. And are the queues long first thing in the queues long first thing in the morning . Queues long first thing in the mornin . , queues long first thing in the morninr . ,. , queues long first thing in the morning . Queues long first thing in the morninr . ,. ,. ,. , queues long first thing in the morninr . ,. ,. ,. ,. , morning . Not any more. We had a lot of learnin morning . Not any more. We had a lot of learning and morning . Not any more. We had a lot of learning and on morning . Not any more. We had a lot of learning and on the morning . Not any more. We had a lot of learning and on the first morning . Not any more. We had a lot of learning and on the first day morning . Not any more. We had a lot of learning and on the first day we of learning and on the first day we had some queues and i have been occasions when we had a slight queues but we have learned that as to how and when there are queues, we are communicating with the car park marshalls and opening up more immunisation status so we can keep the queues down. And really get the
flow right and get people in and out as quickly as possible. It is flow right and get people in and out as quickly as possible. As quickly as possible. It is a massive logistical as quickly as possible. It is a massive logistical effort as quickly as possible. It is a massive logistical effort so i as quickly as possible. It is a. Massive logistical effort so have you ironed out any little difficulties and getting people in and out more quickly . Absolutely. It is workin and out more quickly . Absolutely. It is working across and out more quickly . Absolutely. It is working across the and out more quickly . Absolutely. It is working across the whole and out more quickly . Absolutely. It is working across the whole team, i is working across the whole team, from all the volunteers we have st john ambulance, the car park marshalls from herts county council, having that control from inside to outside to make sure no one is leaving the car before they need to, coming in and making sure we have the right flow. It has been a massive learning exercise for all of us but everyone is pulling together and that has made a difference. Iloathed and that has made a difference. What do eole and that has made a difference. What do people say and that has made a difference. What do people say when and that has made a difference. What do people say when they have the vaccine . ~. ,. Do people say when they have the vaccine . M. , do people say when they have the vaccine . ~. ,. ,. , do people say when they have the vaccine . ~. ,. ,. , ,. , vaccine . Most of them are ust so relieved to vaccine . Most of them are ust so relieved to actually vaccine . Most of them are ust so relieved to actually have vaccine . Most of them are just so relieved to actually have the relieved to actually have the vaccine, the majority that we get through here have not been outdoors since march so it is their first trip out to us and it is just a real sense of relief and thanking everybody for everything that has been done to bring it all together. And what do you tell them about when they will get their second dose
because that has been a bit of a problem i know quite controversial . We are using the astrazeneca one which all along has been that you have the second dose 11 12 weeks afterwards so as people are booking in, they get the second appointment straightaway. The people who come in to us, we explain and check they have the second appointment and how important it is for them to get that appointment and come back for it. Has anybody turned up and said they have changed their mind and they dont want it . Ila. Have changed their mind and they dont want it . Dont want it . No, not at all. One erson dont want it . No, not at all. One person unfortunately dont want it . No, not at all. One person unfortunately came dont want it . No, not at all. One person unfortunately came here i dont want it . No, not at all. One i person unfortunately came here not very well and we got him assessed and was still able to have the vaccination but we have not had one person was turned round and said they didnt want it. Instead it has been a real relieved that at last they have the vaccination. Brute been a real relieved that at last they have the vaccination. We have heard from they have the vaccination. We have heard from the they have the vaccination. We have heard from the government they have the vaccination. We have heard from the government that i they have the vaccination. We have | heard from the government that the roll out will be extended to over 705 next. When will you be doing that do you think . I 70s next. When will you be doing that do you think . That do you think . I think later this week that do you think . I think later this week. We that do you think . I think later this week. We have that do you think . I think later this week. We have already. That do you think . I think later| this week. We have already had that do you think . I think later. This week. We have already had a couple of people through our doors
at that age range. Hopefully later this week, we dont see all the details of everybody coming in, we just know that we are booked up until next weekend at the moment so we understand that some of them might already have been in that age range. Ida might already have been in that age ranre. ,. Might already have been in that age ranre. Y. ,. , might already have been in that age ranre. , , might already have been in that age ranre. , ,. , range. Do you always use up all the vaccine you range. Do you always use up all the vaccine you have . Range. Do you always use up all the vaccine you have . There range. Do you always use up all the vaccine you have . There has range. Do you always use up all the vaccine you have . There has been i vaccine you have . There has been talk in some areas they had to throw it has a shelf life so do you manage to use what you have . To use what you have . Virtually every single to use what you have . Virtually every single dose. To use what you have . Virtually every single dose. The to use what you have . Virtually every single dose. The first to use what you have . Virtually i every single dose. The first couple of days we had zero wastage, maybe a couple of days where we had one or two but we have lists of people we are pulling in a last minute, mainly our staff and other health and social cares staff we pull in at the last minute to make sure we use to the best that we can. Ta last minute to make sure we use to the best that we can. The best that we can. To sarah brown, the best that we can. To sarah brown. Who the best that we can. To sarah brown, who is the best that we can. To sarah brown, who is running the best that we can. To sarah brown, who is running that. The best that we can. To sarah i brown, who is running that mass vaccination effort in stevenage. A year ago this week, china ordered its first lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus, a moment which signalled just how deadly and
debilitating the new coronavirus could be, notjust in china but around the world. Our corresponding Stephen Mcdonell has returned to Hubei Province, the place where this global emergency first started. Loudspeaker announcement it was the start of what would become a Global Health emergency. 60 Million People were being locked down as we entered Hubei Province in january 2020. A year later, weve returned to see how people are faring. Well, last time, actually at this exact point, we were stopped by a police roadblock. Not now, though. In we go. Well be inside hubei any minute. In this rural community, people tell us theyre having celebrations, like weddings, again. Hubei province hasnt had a local Coronavirus Infection for seven months, and masks are no longer mandatory. As you can see, workers are back out in the streets, preparing their traditional foods in the way they used to. They certainly were not doing this in january last year. The closer we get to the regional capital, the busier it becomes. Apart from the sheer number of those on the streets now,
compared to this time last year, one thing you notice is a change of peoples attitudes. There seems to be a feeling that the authorities now know how to control these coronavirus outbreaks when they come, and that does spur confidence. Next stop, wuhan, home to the worlds first coronavirus clusters. Its now hard to imagine this city of 11 Million People shut down a lockdown, many here say, they dont regret. Theres no doubt china has done well reining in the virus, but if you believe the propaganda, its as if nowhere else at all has had any success. In the crucial early days of the outbreak,
people were silenced here for trying to sound a warning, and we still dont know how the pandemic started. But, after months of hardship, the city first struck by the coronavirus is now functioning pretty much as normal. And many around the world can only dream of returning to such a state. Stephen mcdonell, bbc news, wuhan. Coming up in a moment, a special report from clive myrie from the front line on coronavirus. Here is a preview. Its scarier, its bigger. I never thought it would be possible to have this many intensive care patients. How many floors are taken up by Covid Patients here . Weve got patients on the 3rd floor, 4th floor, 6th floor, 7th floor, 8th floor and 9th floor, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and then obviously, up here to the 14th and 15th. So you are full . Is that right . So he has got covid and has had a stroke. He could die from this, im sorry to have to say that. Sorry. So now were going to run into a problem because we havent got any beds. She loved being a grandmother. Nobody wants to go through this. I wouldnt wish this on anybody. Its been almost apocalyptic. Weve had to do. Things that i thought were impossible. Hello, there. Very heavy and persistent rain is on the way to parts of north wales, Northern England and the midlands, and this will cause problems. The met office have named this area of low pressure storm christophe. It will bring huge falls of rain. Particularly of concern across parts of the Peak District and the pennines, where we could see in excess of 150 millimetres of rain. Across a swathe of Northern England and the midlands, where the met Office Amber Weather Warning is in force, rivers are already running at elevated levels, and that is even before the rain from christophe begins to arrive. It will begin to arrive in the latter stages of monday. Initially light and patchy rain, but through this evening and overnight the rain will become increasingly heavy and persistent, particularly across north wales, over the peaks and the pennines of Northern England. All the while, quite mild to the south of the front, colder air in the north, a few wintry showers here and the risk of icy stretches as the frost sets in across parts of scotland. Tuesday, frosty, some wintry showers for northern scotland, sunshine elsewhere in scotland. It is this band of rain that will cause big problems across a swathe of Northern England and wales. A bit of rain for the south west of england. Not much if any rain in the south east. Cold in the north, mild
in the south, 11 or 12 degrees. Tuesday night into wednesday, the weather front does not budge. The rain will be absolutely relentless. Hour by hour, the risk of flooding and probably some severe flooding, will tend to increase. It looks like we will see some big problems across this part of the world. We still have the big temperature contrast on wednesday. Then this area of low pressure will move northwards. Into thursday, while deepening, the rain will significantly turn to heavy snow in scotland. This snow will come right down to sea level. We will see large snowfall totals building in, especially in the Southern Uplands where there will be strong winds, as well. So, disruptive weather this week. Northern england and the midlands likely to see flooding, and it could be severe flooding as we head for the middle of the week. We have heavy snow for wednesday night into thursday in parts of scotland. The rate of daily Coronavirus Infections continues to fall, but the number of people being admitted to hospital continues to rise. A special report from inside the royal london hospital, with staff and resources stretched to the limit. So were now going to run into a problem because we havent got any beds. He is quite sick. He could die from this, by the way. Im sorry to have to say that. But the vaccine roll out continues apace four million so far in the uk, and the over 705 in england are now invited to get a jab. But there are concerns about how some areas are moving much faster with their vaccinations than others. Also tonight. Mp5 are debating the extra £20 added to universal credit, to put pressure on the government to extend it. As the Manchester Arena attack inquiry resumes,