Been reported in the last 2a hours and Hospital Admissions continue to hit record levels. But the Prime Minister said there was hope with more than 3. 2 Million People already vaccinated in the uk. Our Health Editor, hugh pym, reports. This hospital was one of the first to fill up with seriously ill Covid Patients last march, now the same thing is happening again, only more so. Like many other hospitals in South East England, Northwick Park is under severe strain. There are more patients now than there were in march, april and may, and if those numbers continue, it doesnt matter how good we are at looking after covid, we will run out of beds. Because of pressure on london hospitals, some covid and other patients are set to be moved to this hospital in newcastle, which will also take patients from elsewhere in the north. Nottingham hospitals are also ready to receive patients from Southern England who need Critical Care. Trust leaders say hospitals outside london have been asked to help by boosting capacity. We are now moving a small number of patients from london to other parts of the country because london Critical Care capacity is very full. Thats not something we would normally want to do, but i hope in one sense its a reassuring sign of how far the nhs will go to treat every single patient who needs care. Some london and south east hospitals are so stretched that patients are having to be moved hundreds of miles for treatment. Does this not suggest not enough was done by the government to prepare the nhs for the second wave . A huge amount was done to prepare the nhs continuously for the last year, since the pandemic became apparent, and we always knew we were going to have a particularly tough time now, and actually even in london, where the situation has been toughest, the london nhs has been under huge, huge pressure, but they really have been coping magnificently. A social media site has put together impressions from the nhs front line. One doctor said, as he died in hospital bed alone, i sat and held his head, saying everything was going to be ok. I realise now that me saying these things was more for me than for him. Admissions to hospitals like this one in kettering involve patients who picked up infections a couple of weeks before. As the new covid cases, there are a few signs that the recent surge might have ended. Recent case numbers show, in the last week, Northern Ireland, wales and scotland have all seen case numbers fall. Its the same in england, with more cases and a bigger population, including dipped in hot spots like london, but its too early to say whether these are lasting trends, in some are seeing gains, including Councils Like knowsley, horton and the isle of wight. With the risk of new strains of the virus coming into the uk, the Prime Minister said Travel Corridors will all be temporarily closed on monday, meaning everyone arriving in the country must self isolate for up to ten days. Our Political CorrespondentJessica Parker is in westminster. Big news about Travel Corridors in todays News Conference but also signs of optimism that the virus is levelling off . 05 it is quite big news about the Travel Corridors but there in mind that most countries were not on that Travel Corridor or list i felt i think the list stands at around 66 countries and as you say as of monday regardless from where you come from across the world, you would have to quarantine for the full ten days. Five if you get a negative test after that period of time and it was already the case that from monday people were going to have to get a negative test before they travelled into the United Kingdom. You are right to say it is a little bit of optimism about the rate of infection appearing to just dip a little bit in some areas of the United Kingdom but as he was just saying in the report all areas i think the Prime Minister was keen to stress that this progress was tentative and i suspect what they dont want to do is adjust the people that things are absolutely fine that everyone can start relaxing. At the last and i want to do because as you know there is an idea of a race between the rate of infection and getting the vaccine out and continued emphasis on asking people the rules so the country can get to a better place by late winter or early spring. There was a real caution in the mix of that optimism as well. Simon calder is the Travel Editor at the independent. Good to see you. What do you make of this announcement about the closure of all Travel Corridors as jessica was saying in the attic the what impact do you think it will have . It would have minimal impact. Its more likely to raise eyebrows with viewers Around The World in places where of course there had measures like this in place for the past ten months it was the middle of march and the uk ended up dates targeted quarantine and basicallyjust did not have any quarantine whatsoever for about three months than it was introduced and it applied in this latest move but it was relaxed in a Travel Corridor and this concept simply means that its a list of countries which you do not need to quarantine if you are coming into the uk. This week we had seen the important Aviation Hubs of dubai and i would be taken off the list last night and it was the turn of qatar and now it amounts to a list of places that even if i were able to travel which im not because of the Lockdown Rules in the uk they would not let me in anyway. Australia, new zealand, japan, thailand, vietnam, all countries which have a good record not places that would have any effect on people like me if we were able to go on holiday because he simply would not be welcome. It may have a knock on effect to those who were starting to think about booking holidays in the next few months. ,. ,. ,. Months. This is all about confidence and the fact months. This is all about confidence and the fact that months. This is all about confidence and the fact that we months. This is all about confidence and the fact that we could months. This is all about confidence and the fact that we could set months. This is all about confidence and the fact that we could set necl and the fact that we could set nec from Monday Morning everybody coming into the uk having to self isolate and this is very rigorous and youre not allowed to take the dog for a walk. Of course, that came completely Out Of The Blue on top of that to be have the new requirements whichjessica mentioned to get a test within 72 hours without any travel to the uk. Those rules to look far too onerous for anybody who wants a holiday to take into account and so therefore effectively all bets are off. Of course he had some positive noises in the Downing Street Press conference about the effects of vaccination and things seeming to improve maybe around the edges and the Travel Industry is not desperate that things will be back on track by easter. The big Holiday Companies are basicallyjust saying we are forgetting everything until the last week in march and then we want to start things up and hope we get half decent summary to rescue what has been three winters in a row. Its estimated that two Million People have lost their lives to Covid Nineteen since the disease first emerged a year ago thats according toJohns Hopkins university. The United States remains the worst affected country , with almost 300 and Ninety Thousand deaths , followed by brazil and india. In europe, britain and italy have lost more lives to the virus than any other countries. Covid i9 deaths have exceeded hiv, malaria, flu cholera combined the head of the World Health Organisation says the world is at a defining moment in the coronavirus pandemic. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said nations are failing to break chains of Coronavirus Transmission at community and household levels, and putting Healthcare Systems under immense strain tx sot some countries in europe, africa, and the americas are seeing spikes in cases with multiple factors driving transmission risk. This is because we are collectively not succeeding at breaking the chains of transmission at the Community Level or live in households. We need to close the gap between implementation at the country an individual level because at present there is immense pressure on hospitals and health workers. The more the virus is suppressed, the less opportunity it has two mutates. We need to be more efficient than the virus and reach accidents in everything we do. There is only one way out of this story and that is to share the tools we have and commit to use them together. Theres concern about supplies of the Pfizer Bion Tech Vaccine after it was announced that shipments are to be substantially reduced for the next few weeks. The makers say that modifications are needed to the manufacturing process, its unclear how the uk will be affected. In a letter, Six European Union countries have described the delay as unacceptable. The Eu Commission president Ursula Von Der Leyen said shed been in touch with the head of pfizer about the situation. I think it is very important that immediately we may declare that there is a guarantee of an amount of doses that have to be delivered in the First Quarter so it was good to talk to the ceo a little while ago and he confirmed and reassured me that they know that they have guaranteed these doses and they will deliver these doses. I think it is good that they are aware that for us its a very difficult situation because as the Prime Minister rightly said the first shots have been given and a certain amount of time afterfour weeks, been given and a certain amount of time after four weeks, the second shot has to be getting with bay on our correspondent nick beake is in brussels, he explained why pfizer are reducing deliveries of its Coronavirus Vaccine from its main belgian production site. The european Commission President says shes got this personal reassurance from the boss of pfizer that they will be no significant problems as a result of this and if we just step back and look at the bigger picture, the reason why we are seeing these delays in the short term and the reason why they are causing concern and anger at six eu countries in particular is because pfizer has increased its price at the number of doses it wants to deliver in this year. It said initially 1. 3 billion doses of the vaccine would be supplied throughout the world. It revised that for garrett to 2 billion. But to do that it has got to make changes apparently to its site which is about an hour north of brussels and into Belgium Countryside and as a result production will slow down in the short term before it speeds up and although pfizer is saying come the end of february at the start of march, more countries would be getting my doses in the short term it means delays. Refilling at the daily saying its government listing it would be getting half the number of doses next week that he had been promised and we have been hearing five other eu countries have also said that really undermines the credibility of the vaccination will not programme. The Uk Supreme Court has paved the way for Tens Of Thousands of Small Businesses to receive insurance payouts for the losses they have sustained during the coronavirus pandemic. The case was brought by the Financial Conduct Authority and a group of firms whose insurers had refused to issue payments on their Business Interruption policies. The ruling could prove a lifeline for companies struggling to stay afloat. Our Business CorrespondentKevin Peachey reports. A patisserie, a holiday cottage, a Photography Studio and a skin clinic varied Small Businesses but owners united in fury when their insurance claims for lost earnings in the lockdown were turned down. Now they and Tens Of Thousands of other small firms have been given hope of a pay out. Running a hair salon in central london, james is one of them. It will enable our business to keep going, and weve got debts to pay down, and weve got employees that we are responsible for, so being able to get through this difficult final phase of the pandemic, a pay out would mean the world to that. Insurers had argued many Business Interruption policies were never intended for such unprecedented restrictions in a pandemic, but they agreed with the regulators to a legal case to test various policy wordings. Now, Supreme Courtjudges Have sided broadly with the policyholders for Small Businesses in a ruling that means many, but not all, will be compensated. Each claim has to be assessed individually thats the law, and thats the regulatory requirement, but insurers will work very closely with brokers, with policyholders and others to get this process moving as quickly as possible, and in many cases those Policy Holders have already lodged the details of their claims, and supplied much of the information thats needed. Pay outs of hundreds of millions of pounds will help many small firms to stay afloat, but putting their trust in insurers back on an even keel may take longer. Kevin peachey, bbc news. The us president Electjoe Biden will outline his plan to ramp up Coronavirus Vaccinations later. It follows an early rollout by the trumpadministration which he called a dismalfailure. Mr biden has already set out measures to revive the economy with a huge Stimulus Package including an extension of Unemployment Benefits to millions of americans. David willis reports. In the worst affected nation on earth, the coronavirus is having a devastating effect. Hospitals are at breaking point, as cases have spiralled to around 200,000 a day, food banks are inundated as the Collapsing Economy has caused many businesses to lay off their workers. Joe biden promised to make combating the coronavirus his number one priority, and less than a week to go before taking office, he has unveiled a plan aimed at containing the virus and getting the economy back on track. One that will cost this country nearly 2 trillion. We not only have an economic imperative to act now, i believe we have a moral obligation. In this pandemic, in america, we cannot let people go hungry, we cannot let people get evicted, we cannot watch nurses, educators and others lose theirjobs we so badly need them. We must act now and act decisively. A month after the first shots were administered here, americas Vaccination Programme is off to a sluggish start. Mr biden is pledging billions of dollars to expand testing and Vaccination Efforts and enable schools to reopen safely by the spring. He is also pledging larger sums to help individuals worst affected by the crisis. All of it paid for with borrowed money, but necessary, he believes, in order to prevent the Worlds Largest economy from slipping further into the abyss. All this, of course, at a time of deepening political unrest. Packed close together and mostly mask free, last weeks protests at the Capitol Building were not only another potential super spreader event, they also underlined the fact that many here still believe the virus is a hoax. Forjoe biden, there is more than one kind of healing to be done, and ironically, perhaps, the day that he is due to be sworn in marks a rather grim anniversary the anniversary of the first confirmed case of covid 19 in the United States. David willis, bbc news, los angeles. British Meat Exporters say new Customs Systems Post Brexit are � not fit for purpose. Perishable goods are being delayed for hours, sometimes days, because of extra customs checks and additional paperwork. The new border rules were introduced two weeks ago at the end of the brexit transition period. The uk exports 15 billion pounds worth of food and drink to the eu every year, a third of that is perishable meat, fish and fresh produce. Our Business Editor simonjack� s report begins at a Meat Processing factory in shropshire. Uk lamb is highly prized. At this abattoir, 70 gets exported to the ego, an export driven success story, but the Well Oiled Machine that gets it there has a new spanner. Paperwork that is to take 15 minutes is taking hours and require certificates not needed before. We have been having sleepless nights and taking calls in the early hours of the morning. It has been a steep Learning Curve and we see some of these problems will remain even when we get to the new normal level. For a fresh quality product trading on a daily basis the system is not fit for purpose and it needs to be looked at urgently. The products are still getting through but delays are shortening shelf life, frustrating customers and forcing them to consider other options. I feel very upset. I am thinking to buy some land in spain. We have some of our competitors who have land in ireland instead. Between the seller and buyer are the hauliers. No one is feeling more frustrated this man. Last week for me was probably the worst most difficult week in this job in 20 years. We have lost hundreds of hours, i dozens of days already with trucks waiting unnecessarily. Behind us we are looking at the new Border Control posts that customers have set up. At the mouth of the eurotunnel is Customs Expert says problems on the way out main problems on the wien. We have a situation where Border Forces car park is full, the roads are heavily congested, exports are grinding to a halt. If you have a lorry that is going to get stuck on the way out then if you are the haulier why would you want to bring it in the first place . So it will slow everything up. It has been a pretty measurable time for hauliers and their customers. Ports operating at a fraction of normal volume, which are expected to increase. Lets hope any potential chaos will be short lived. It seems clear this will cost an additional complexity and trading with our biggest trading are here to stay. There was bound to be disruption. The government says it is working hard with business to get to what it describes as a new normal in cross channel trade. The organisation representing scotlands fishermen has written to the Prime Minister, accusing him of leaving the industry in the worst of both worlds due to his Brexit Trade Deal with the eu. The scottish fishermen� s federation claimed its members had been failed in the short term with many left fearing for their future. It said details were urgently needed of a compensation plan, which borisjohnson suggested earlier this week was being planned. The latest official figures show the economy shrank by 2. 6 during that month. The decline in Gross Domestic Product or the sum or value of goods and services produced in the economy came up to six months of growth. Pubs, headdresses, and others in the Service Sector whereby the hits. But some manufacturing and Construction Activity improved. The chancellor says the figures show things will get higher before they get better but that will the vaccine roll out and economic support measures there are reasons to be helpful. Ever since the new variant of covid emerged in the uk thereve been questions about its impact on children and whether they are more likely get it or help spread it. As our science correspondent Rebecca Morelle explains the new variant is no more harmful to children than before. Children have been one of the pandemic� s biggest puzzles, with the young less likely to get the virus than adults, but does the arrival of the new variant change this, and is it affecting children more . Initial data was analysed for all ages, and something stood out. This red barfor ten to 19 year olds suggested the new variant was particularly infectious for this group, compared with the old one, in blue. But this was during novembers lockdown, when much was closed apart from schools, and this may explain that bump. The latest evidence shows the new variant is 50 more infectious, but not especially for children. Its just that its better at infecting everyone across every age group. Is the new variant different for younger and older children . Nurseries are still open in england and wales, and scientists think the youngest are less likely to catch the variant and pass it on than older kids. We know that, in old variants, children less than ten were less susceptible but, you know, susceptibility and transmissibility increased by age. Especially over the age of 15, transmission dynamics are almost similar to adults. Does the new variant make kids more ill . The latest evidence suggests that it isnt causing more severe disease in the young. Children can need hospital treatment, but they still make up a tiny proportion of cases overall. We are seeing slightly more children because there are more people being infected, but we are not seeing children being disproportionately infected and certainly not seeing wards full of children with covid. With classrooms empty, schools are part of the uk lockdown, but this isnt about risks to children, its about controlling the spread of the virus. The science of the variant is fast moving, and researchers will continue to monitor its impact on the young. Rebecca morelle, bbc news. The duchess of cornwall has launched her own book club on the social media site, instagram. The duchess decided to start � the reading room page after receiving a positive response to her lockdown reading lists last year. The final instalment of dame hilary mantel� s wolf hall trilogy are among her first four picks. Hello. Parts of scotland and Northern England have seen some disruptive snow in the past few days. More to come through this evening and overnight, and also some snow across east anglia and South East England. More on that in just a moments time. Through this evening, weve got this band of rain pushing in from the west, bringing some milder air, but ahead of it, were still in the cold air. So further snow through scotland, Northern England, and then later in the night, we start to that snow arriving into the midlands, east anglia and perhaps South East England as well. Where weve got the rain, its falling onto saturated grounds. Weve got Flood Warnings in place, and also some ice warnings ahead of the rain and the snow as temperatures fall close to freezing. But those temperatures recovering as the night wears on. So weve got more snow to come to top up the significant levels weve had in places across scotland and Northern England. But as i mentioned, later in the night, we could see some snow developing across east anglia. And here we have an Amber Weather Warning from the met office from 5am on saturday morning through until 2pm into the afternoon. So whilst there will be some snow across scotland, Northern England and South East England, its east anglia that were most concerned about, and some places could perhaps see 5 10 centimetres. So once again some disruption is very likely. Its all down to this frontal system sliding its way south and eastwards through saturday. Should be clearing from Northern Ireland through the morning, although well see a scattering of showers here. But further snow for a time on saturday through parts of scotland, Northern England, as i mentioned east anglia, and also South East England could see a couple of centimetres here, too. Slowly pulling away south and eastwards. Some sunshine behind, but also further showers piling into scotland, Northern England and for a time across Northern Ireland through the morning. Its quite a windy day, particularly the further west you are, but it wont be feeling quite as cold. Temperatures through tomorrow in a range of 5 11 celsius. It may struggle to get much above 3 4 across east anglia and South East England. As we go into sunday, its a day of two halves. We actually see this area of High Pressure building across the south of the uk. Meanwhile, we keep low pressure to the north, so thats going to keep further showers pushing into much of scotland, a few across Northern Ireland as well, maybe one or two across the far north of england. But for much of england and wales and Northern Ireland on sunday, its mainly dry with some sunshine. And once again temperatures not as low as they have been recently, so typically 5 9 celsius. Not as cold as we start next week as well. Therell be some spells of rain and some windy weather, and then turning colder later in the week. This is bbc world news. The headlines the uk is closing all Travel Corridors from monday, with anyone arriving needing proof of a negative test and they will still need to self isolate for at least five days. Cases in the uk are beginning to level off, but hospitals remain under intense pressure, with warnings that admissions and death counts will continue to rise for the next week. Globally, there have now been 2 Million Deaths from covid 19. Thats according to research from Johns Hopkins university. Six European Countries express concerns over delays in delivery of the pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine, but the european Commission President says the company has guaranteed all vaccines will be delivered. The new variant of covid 19 scientists reassure parents about the impact it will have on children. Youre watching bbc news with me, samantha simmonds. And lets bring you a reminder of the latest coronavirus government figures for the uk, and they show that there were 55,761 new Coronavirus Infections recorded in the latest 24 hour period, the first time its crept above 50,000 this week. But numbers are still almost 14 down on this time last week. On average, the number of new cases reported per day in the last week is 51,221. Hospitals have had an average of 35,1117 covid 19 inpatients. 1280 deaths were reported. Thats people who died within 28 days of a positive covid 19 test. On average in the past week, 1066 deaths were announced every day. The total number of deaths so far across the uk is 87,295. Lets get an update on the uks programme of mass vaccinations. More than 316,000 people have had their first dose of one of the three approved covid 19 vaccines in the latest 24 hour period, taking the overall number of people whove had at least one jab to more than 3. 2 million. Our Health Editor hugh pym says the government gave a very stark warning that we havent reached the peak in terms of deaths. But it wasnt all bad news from the chief medical adviser chris whitty, he explained a little earlier. On the encouraging side, he said the peak of infections has probably now passed in london and parts of the south of england, although it will be a bit later elsewhere. When it comes to Hospital Admissions, with yet more pressure on the nhs as we were hearing earlier, he said the peak there might come in a week or ten days time depending where in the country, maybe a bit later further outside london. But in terms of daily reported deaths, he said the peak would happen sometime in the future. He wasnt exactly clear about when that would be. But the sobering reality is his suggestion that it will carry on rising from here before it reaches that peak, but when thats going to happen is still not clear. Most outbreaks of covid 19 reported to Public Health england are now taking place in care homes. There were 977 suspected outbreaks in care homes reported in the seven days to january the 10th, an increase of more than 200 from the week before. The nhs has been told to vaccinate care home residents by the end of next week. So far, 40 of care home residents have been vaccinated. Our reporter Crispin Rolfe has been to two care homes in hull in the north of england whose experiences couldnt be any further apart. We managed to miss it completely until november, and it got all 27 residents and 20 out of 28 staff. And, unfortunately, we lost 18 of our lovely ladies and gents. Its been absolutely horrendous. Its like losing your family. The old hall care home, staff had lived in caravans, tried everything, but still in november, the home caught coronavirus. We were losing three in a day. And there were no symptoms, but the residents were Walking Around one minute absolutely fine, and then next minute they were gone. It was as quick as that. It was awful. Little wonder, then, that with new residents, the team here are desperate to get their first round of vaccinations. Butjust a0 miles away at the old vicarage care home, the mood is different. Theyve had their first doses of the vaccine. How did the nurses do . Very good. People are quite excited that it happened. Its just given everybody that great boost, to say theres a light at the end of the tunnel at the end of this, yes, its a good feeling. Weve managed to vaccinate 14 of our individuals and ten staff members. Have you had your second dose or just the first . Yeah, just the first. And when are you getting your second . Itll be about 28 days. They will communicate to us afterwards. Bit despite the delight, for now at least, restrictions still remain in place. Still need to do our part, evenl for the staff and the individuals that have had a vaccine. The same with the rest of the country. We will follow strict Ppe Guidelines and advice. L like you said, getting back to day to day, thats the goal we want to achieve at the end of this. Back at the old hall care home, theyre now hoping that their first vaccinations will be given next week, with the aim of relieving pressure that theyve lived with since march. The more people get vaccinated, the better. And i have had some staff that have been a bit wary about having it, but i think weve managed to persuade them that this is the way forward. I just think Everybody Needs to get out there, get vaccinated and get rid of this virus altogether. Its just taking far too many people, far too many loved ones. Crispin rolfe, bbc look north. Mike padgham is the chairman of the independent care group and Managing Director of the saint cecilias care group. Hejoins me now. Welcome to you. Thank you very much for being with us. We represent care homes in north yorkshire. What is a situation like that . I yorkshire. What is a situation like that . 4 yorkshire. What is a situation like that . ~ , yorkshire. What is a situation like that . 4 ,. ,. ,. , that . I think it is similar to other arts of that . I think it is similar to other parts of the that . I think it is similar to other parts of the country. That . I think it is similar to other parts of the country. Tough that . I think it is similar to other parts of the country. Tough for. Parts of the country. Tough for everyone but especially tough for care homes. And knowing the peak is coming in the next sort of week to ten days. So we are sort of waiting and hoping for the best. Ten days. So we are sort of waiting and hoping for the best. Given that care homes and hoping for the best. Given that care homes were and hoping for the best. Given that care homes were so and hoping for the best. Given that care homes were so badly and hoping for the best. Given that care homes were so badly affected | and hoping for the best. Given that l care homes were so badly affected in the first wave of infections, why do you think so many cases are happening again . My you think so many cases are happening again . You think so many cases are happening again . You think so many cases are Hauenina Auain . G. ,. , happening again . My own view is that sadl , and happening again . My own view is that sadly. And its happening again . My own view is that sadly, and its great happening again . My own view is that sadly, and its great we happening again . My own view is that sadly, and its great we have happening again . My own view is that sadly, and its great we have the sadly, and its great we have the vaccines here, that is the light at the end of the tunnel for us, but i think perhaps the roll out at the beginning was a little slow. And i think because we had the christmas mixing, ithink think because we had the christmas mixing, i think thats why it deaths sadly have gone up and outbreaks have gone up. Im hoping we now begin to see a reduction in that but it will be a bit of a lag. So as many experts have said in the past, it will get a bit more but be before it will get a bit more but be before it gets better. The it will get a bit more but be before it gets better it gets better. The Prime Minister sa s he it gets better. The Prime Minister says he hepes it gets better. The Prime Minister says he hepes to it gets better. The Prime Minister says he hopes to complete it gets better. The Prime Minister says he hopes to complete the i says he hopes to complete the Vaccination Programme for care home residents and staff by the end of this month. Do you think that is doable and do you think its actually too late almost . I would have liked to actually too late almost . I would have liked to it actually too late almost . I would have liked to it have actually too late almost . I would have liked to it have been actually too late almost . I would| have liked to it have been sooner but is understand the difficulties with the first vaccine, the Pfizer Vaccine in terms of logistics, temperature has to be capped and it was not as easy as we were first legibly to get to care home. Things have picked up noticeably in the first last 72 hours and how they can meet their deadline but i know it is very ambitious because we have not got halfway in terms of care homes. So i do hope they can achievement because we have so many deadlines that have slipped but i know the gps and hospitals are working hard to vaccinate people as quickly if they can and ijust hoping for they can do it in the timeframe. Hoping for they can do it in the timeframe hoping for they can do it in the timeframe. � ,. ,. , timeframe. And give us an idea what is like for the timeframe. And give us an idea what is like for the staff timeframe. And give us an idea what is like for the staff and timeframe. And give us an idea what is like for the staff and carers timeframe. And give us an idea what is like for the staff and carers in is like for the staff and carers in those homes in the many residents who must be so anxious at this time. As we saw in the first wave, the care homes were hit disproportionately. Many people in your previous interview talked about losing members of your family. Your previous interview talked about losing members of yourfamily. That very close to the residents and staff are closely knit and we did see sadly a number of deaths and thatis see sadly a number of deaths and that is why they are anxious this time around because i repeat the only thing i would say in a positive way is at least we have got the vaccine. So they should be to those who have got those vaccines together as it gives us hope but even with people had the first vaccine we have to hold their nerve and keep those distancing in place and until the second dose and weve got to the well in the summer in my view so we cannot take a foot of the pale yet. Weve got to hold their nerve. Thank ou ve weve got to hold their nerve. Thank you very much weve got to hold their nerve. Thank you very much for weve got to hold their nerve. Thank you very much for being weve got to hold their nerve. Thank you very much for being with weve got to hold their nerve. Thank you very much for being with us. A senior doctor has warned that concern, myths and disinformation are likely to be causing some people from the uks south asian communities to reject the covid vaccine. It comes as more than 100 mosques have used their friday sermons today to urge people to get the jab. Sima kotecha reports. In bedford, just one of several religious communities offering their space not forworship, but forscience. Today, nhs england are warning the amount of disinformation targeting ethnic minority communities could cause millions not to take the jab. We need to be clear that people realise that theres no meat in the vaccine, theres no pork in the vaccine, you know, it has been accepted and endorsed by all the religious leaders and councils and faith communities. And i think that is a really important message, and so collectively we all have a part to play. Much of the false content is on social media and on whatsapp. Now, the messages that i keep seeing over and over again are that the vaccine contains pork and beef. That is simply not true. Im a practising hindu, and to read stories about the ingredients in that are there in the vaccine saying it actually comes from a cow, it is very disturbing because cows are very sacred to us hindus. More than 100 mosques today around the country will use their friday sermons to urge muslims to get the jab. Scepticism and anxiety exists within sections of the Muslim Community regarding the vaccine, and muslim scholars and medical experts have looked into the vaccines, | and we are perfectly ok with it. You know, we have said. That the covid 19 vaccines are perfectly permissible from an islamic perspective, they are halal. The vaccines minister spoke to the Asian Network about these concerns. The challenge is the 15 who are vaccine hesitant, if i can call it that, want more information, it to make sure we get that information to them. And the other challenges within that 15 it skews heavily, its more concentrated amongst the bame communities, and weve got to Work Together to make sure to get that message out that vaccines are safe, vaccines will protect you personally, but also protect your family and your community. Now the challenge for the experts is to keep on top of these false messages so they can effectively debunk what they call life threatening fake news. Sima kotecha, bbc news. Rajnish kashyap is the general secretary of Hindu Council uk. Welcome to you and thank you for being with us. Why do you think there is so much Vaccine Hesitance in the Hindu Community . According to your own research, up to 20 of people dont want to have the vaccine. ,. ,. ,. ,. , people dont want to have the vaccine. ,. ,. , vaccine. Good evening to all and thank you vaccine. Good evening to all and thank you for vaccine. Good evening to all and thank you for inviting vaccine. Good evening to all and thank you for inviting me. Vaccine. Good evening to all and thank you for inviting me. It vaccine. Good evening to all and thank you for inviting me. It is l thank you for inviting me. It is clear that the vaccine in communities like this. This article has highlighted this that the fake news is driving miss Information Campaign through channels such as whatsapp and social media targeting the south asian community. Furthermore, our research has shown that there is about 858 of people who are saying yes they will take it but about 30 of people who are hesitant. Who are in a sense saying that they need much more information. Again, what it says to them it really that for many, the production has been approved of covid 19 vaccines and it is a source of anxiety for others because they are thinking that the way it has been produced and approved, they think there is not Much Research that has been done. And there is still no information on long term effects in that is perhaps the reason behind it. So effects in that is perhaps the reason behind it. Effects in that is perhaps the reason behind it. So how are you manauuin reason behind it. So how are you managing to reason behind it. So how are you managing to get reason behind it. So how are you managing to get the reason behind it. So how are you managing to get the message i reason behind it. So how are you i managing to get the message that reason behind it. So how are you managing to get the message that the vaccine is safe within the community . I vaccine is safe within the community . Vaccine is safe within the community . Vaccine is safe within the communi . ~. ,. , community . I think as we are concerned community . I think as we are concerned with community . I think as we are concerned with the community . I think as we are concerned with the whatsappj concerned with the whatsapp messages, we contacting through temples and kennedys and passing information on and we had a meeting with the vaccines minister yesterday, and i think we got this message out with the ingredient list. There is no animal by products. That is perhaps the reason again. We are making a lot of zoo meetings with people, especially older people and younger people, getting the message out that it is important for them to take the vaccines because saving each and every life is more important than claiming the false information and the messages for the vaccine team as well that we have resources. They should get together with us because we can reach out to the people. Where the language is not the first language being english for them so we can reach out to them and pass on this message and highlight the importance of taking those vaccines to save each and every life. And importance of taking those vaccines to save each and every life. To save each and every life. And to what extent to save each and every life. And to what extent do to save each and every life. And to what extent do you to save each and every life. And to what extent do you think to save each and every life. And to what extent do you think it to save each and every life. And to what extent do you think it is to save each and every life. And to what extent do you think it is the l what extent do you think it is the responsibility of younger people to encourage older people to take the vaccines . I encourage older people to take the vaccines . ~. ,. , encourage older people to take the vaccines . ~. , vaccines . I think again when we have carried out this vaccines . I think again when we have carried out this research, vaccines . I think again when we have carried out this research, it vaccines . I think again when we have carried out this research, it is vaccines . I think again when we have carried out this research, it is the carried out this research, it is the older people who are willing and ready to take the medicine. It is the other people who believe it so much a social media to do their research. They are the ones who are mostly hesitant at the moment because they think in their own mind that it because they think in their own mind thatitis because they think in their own mind that it is very quickly produced and approved because they are worried about the longer term factors of it. And i think we have found out one thing more and that is if a female from our community are a bit more hesitant of taking this vaccination and the reason is they think that it might affect their ability to get pregnant. Particularly in our community. So i believe this is critically important that we act now and address that by clear and Concerted Campaign to reach out to the community. Concerted campaign to reach out to the community Concerted Campaign to reach out to the community. Knowsley on merseyside has the highest rate of coronavirus cases in england. In the last three weeks alone, the number of new infections has been doubling on average every week. Our special correspondent ed thomas has been to knowsley to find out why case numbersjust keep rising. The messages are clear, they are heard and seen. Stay safe. From asymptomatic testing to the specialist covid prevention officers. Im part of the covid team. Youve probably seen us wandering around the market. But despite this, in knowsley, covid cases have surged, and not all lockdowns are equal. Are you hearing that more and more people have got covid . Yes, yes, most definitely. Its every other person saying such and such a person has got it. You know, its scary. Amanda has to work. Bills and rent needs to be paid. I wake up through the night, so its just stressful. Whats tomorrow going to bring . Im just about covering my bills and there is no spare cash. Knowsley is one of the most deprived parts of england. Its been an absolute perfect storm. The Public Health director believes that inequality is fuelling cases. We have a low wage economy, we have low car ownership, so people have no choice other than to travel. People have no choice other than to go out to work. A lot of people within our communities have around theirjobs, and they might fear that, if they take the precautions they are supposed to do and self isolate, they may not get money coming in. I live on the 13th floor, and i think that im safe up there because its down here. We spoke to peter during the last wave. Since then, two Family Members have died with covid. Im keeping myself safe, keeping my distance and if somebody comes close, i say, back off l what has covid done to your extended family . Decimated it. A single parent, he works on Food Production lines. If you dont work, you cant play, land playing is eating, surviving, | clothes on your back, food on the table. If you dont do that, you are going to struggle. Do you worry when you go home to your daughter . Of course, im scared to go anywhere near her. On average, covid cases in knowsley have doubled every week for three weeks. All i want to do is get my needle. For Vulnerable People like edward, a sense of helplessness. I had long covid for ten weeks in april. Ive been in twice. But the new covid, lots of people are catching it. How does knowsley get out of this situation . By following the rules and getting the injection. The vaccine . Yes. After three lockdowns and months of restrictions, that is the hope so many here are relying on. Ed thomas, bbc news, knowsley. The number of children in england harmed during the first lockdown increased by more than a quarter. In the majority of cases, the harm occurred while children were living at home, according to data from the department for education. Child deaths increased from 89 to 119 and those seriously harmed from 132 to 153. Stricter rules are to be introduced for supermarkets in wales amid concerns about safety for customers and staff. Supermarkets will have to display social distancing signs, provide sanitiser for hands and trolleys and Limit Customer Numbers by law. First minister Mark Drakeford said there was significant evidence the virus is being spread in stores. A charity is calling on children and young volunteers to help cheer up Vulnerable People in care homes with a video call. Some residents have been unable to spend time with family and friends for almost a year. The charity is encouraging teenagers to connect with them online in a scheme that brings something for everyone involved, as sian lloyd reports. There you go. Hes lovely. Saying hello to benny the guinea pig. 87 year old mary is connecting with children and their pets. This is dot. We got her from father christmas. Mary is supported by her carer jackie, but hasnt felt able to leave her room in the care home since april. Video calls are a highlight of her week. I cant wait to see them. Whenever the kids have come on and animals its beautiful. I really love it. From their homes, young people with an interest in volunteering are able to make a virtual visit to an elderly person who is isolated by lockdown. Mary, i went on a drive on Christmas Eve to look at the lights. Did you see any lights through your window . Not this time, not this year. But before, when i used to go up West Bromwich on the bus and see all the lights, some houses have got it beautiful. Jill fraser has been helping bring the generations together, Running Zoom Calls for people right across the country. When young meets old, both benefit. The older people we see feel valued and the younger people feel valuable. And thats been so important i at these times when the future is so uncertain for young people that they can get that recognition of an older person saying thank you so much. See you, mary. See you, jackie. Itjust makes me feel happy. And i also get to gain a bit of empathy for how vulnerable theyve been over this time. Everyone on here makes me laugh and smile. Reaching out with kindness and giggles, and brightening up an Older Persons day, as well as their own. Sian lloyd, bbc news. Its one of the oldest tricks in the book sawing someone in half. This sunday marks 100 years since a magician called Percy Thomas Tibbles performed the illusion. David sillito has more. Ok, so here we go. Michaelj fitch, who is this weekend just one of many magicians taking part in a Global Online celebration of a magical moment. Ah there we go. Whenever anyone says, you know, oh, youre a magician, the first line, we hear it every day is, oh, can you saw my wife in half . Or, can you saw my husband in half . For some reason, that illusion has stuck in everybody� s mind and captured their imagination. Ladies and gentlemen, my wife thank you very much. And this is the man who created the illusion pt selbit. His real name was percy tibbles, but not everyone was impressed with his new trick. It was performed for the first time on stage without an audience to a bunch of agents and bookers, and nevil maskelyne, who was the owner of one of these, the owner of the very venue the illusion was performed in for the first time, dismissed it. And while this anniversary is a celebration of pt selbit� s creation, its worth noting this is very much a two person trick. Would i be right in saying that a lot of the work is going on inside the box . Of course, yeah. All the hard work goes on inside the box. Michaeljust has to stand there and put some blades in or knives in. What . He gets the easy part. Yeah, definitely. No, thats not true its magic, its magic, and its all me, its magic. So is this another example of men doing all the talking, claiming all the glory, while the women do the work . Well, its always the way, isnt it . Always the way, its always women who do the hard work, yeah. It is, then, a magical landmark, but 100 years on, it is also perhaps a good time to think about exactly who is doing the magic. David sillito, bbc news, colchester. Hello. Parts of scotland and Northern England have seen some disruptive snow in the past few days. More to come through this evening and overnight, and also some snow across east anglia and South East England. More on that in just a moments time. Through this evening, weve got this band of rain pushing in from the west, bringing some milder air, but ahead of it, were still in the cold air. So further snow through scotland, Northern England, and then later in the night, we start to that snow arriving into the midlands, east anglia and perhaps South East England as well. Where weve got the rain, its falling onto saturated grounds. Weve got Flood Warnings in place, and also some ice warnings ahead of the rain and the snow as temperatures fall close to freezing. But those temperatures recovering as the night wears on. So weve got more snow to come to top up the significant levels weve had in places across scotland and Northern England. But as i mentioned, later in the night, we could see some snow developing across east anglia. And here we have an Amber Weather Warning from the met office from 5am on saturday morning through until 2pm into the afternoon. So whilst there will be some snow across scotland, Northern England and South East England, its east anglia that were most concerned about, and some places could perhaps see 5 10 centimetres. So once again some disruption is very likely. Its all down to this frontal system sliding its way south and eastwards through saturday. Should be clearing from Northern Ireland through the morning, although well see a scattering of showers here. But further snow for a time on saturday through parts of scotland, Northern England, as i mentioned east anglia, and also South East England could see a couple of centimetres here, too. Slowly pulling away south and eastwards. Some sunshine behind, but also further showers piling into scotland, Northern England and for a time across Northern Ireland through the morning. Its quite a windy day, particularly the further west you are, but it wont be feeling quite as cold. Temperatures through tomorrow in a range of 5 11 celsius. It may struggle to get much above 3 4 across east anglia and South East England. As we go into sunday, its a day of two halves. We actually see this area of High Pressure building across the south of the uk. Meanwhile, we keep low pressure to the north, so thats going to keep further showers pushing into much of scotland, a few across Northern Ireland as well, maybe one or two across the far north of england. But for much of england and wales and Northern Ireland on sunday, its mainly dry with some sunshine. And once again temperatures not as low as they have been recently, so typically 5 9 celsius. Not as cold as we start next week as well. Therell be some spells of rain and some windy weather, and then turning colder later in the week. This is bbc news this is bbc news with the headlines. With the headlines. Six European Countries express six European Countries express concerns over delays in delivery concerns over delays in delivery of the pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine, of the pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine, there have now been 2 million there have now been 2 Million DeathsAround The World deaths Around The World from covid 19that� s according from covid 19that� s according toJohns Hopkins university. ToJohns Hopkins university. The uk is closing all travel the uk is closing all Travel Corridors from monday with anyone corridors from monday with anyone arriving needing proof of a negative arriving needing proof of a negative test and will still need to self test and will still need to self isolate for at least 5 days. Isolate for at least 5 days. And a century after it first and a century after it first happened on stage in london happened on stage in london how magicians are celebrating 100 how magicians are celebrating 100 years sawing their years sawing their assistants in half. Assistants in half