Million people have received their firstjabs in the uk. And well wishers Around The World send messages of support to captain sir tom moore, who remains in hospital with covid 19 and pneumonia. Good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. Urgent testing is underway in parts of england after the South African strain of coronavirus was detected in 11 people not thought to have travelled from the country. There are fears this variant is now being transmitted within the community, with the possibility of further new cases. Health officials are aiming to test some 80,000 people in eight affected areas including those who live in the w7, n17 and Cr4 Postcodes in london, ws2 in walsall, Me15 In Maidstone in kent, pr9 in southport, en10 in broxbourne, hertfordshire, and gu21 in woking. Theres no evidence the South African variant causes more severe disease but it may be more transmissible. Meanwhile, data to be published later this afternoon is expected to show that the government has reached its target of testing all people in eligible care homes in england though not all care staff have yet had the jab. The government has released the latest figures on coronavirus cases and deaths in the uk. Another 406 people have died within 28 days of a positive virus test, and a further 18,607 cases have been confirmed in the last 24 hour period. The total number of people who have received the first dose of the vaccine now stands at 9,296,367. Lets speak to our Health Correspondent nick triggle. Cases and deaths are relatively lower than previous days and i know on monday there can be a lag in reporting over the weekend but is this part of the general downward trend . It this part of the general downward trend . , ,. ,. , trend . It seems there is a strong downward trend trend . It seems there is a strong downward trend now, trend . It seems there is a strong downward trend now, last trend . It seems there is a strong downward trend now, last week i trend . It seems there is a strong l downward trend now, last week we trend . It seems there is a strong downward trend now, last week we had over 20,000 cases per day and at the turn of the year close to 60,000 so we have dipped below 20,000 come at the lowest figure since mid december showing that lockdown is having an impact. What is even more pleasing i think is admissions to hospital have begun to come down, theres always a lag with infections coming down and that translating into fewer people in hospital but under 3000 new admissions to hospital and a couple of weeks back that was over 4000 a date so that Shows Progress is being made and that should then translate to a fall in numbers of deaths. Just over 400 deaths announced but that is related to the weekend and there is related to the weekend and there is a delay in reporting of an average of over 1000 a day normally. The other key indicators we look at everyday now is the Vaccination Figure and is good news because it has gone over 9 million. Everyone wants to know the government is going to make its target of 50 million by mid february . It is not far awa , million by mid february . It is not far away. And million by mid february . It is not far away, and 15 million by mid february . It is not far away, and 15 million million by mid february . It is not far away, and 15 million to million by mid february . It is not far away, and 15 million to be far away, and 15 million to be offered a vaccine and they are on track for that. In the last week 2. 6 Million People have been vaccinated and i think that we will hear at the tv briefing that the goal to give her care home residents theirfirst dose of a vaccine by the end of january, the friendliest, has been met. What we do not know is the level of uptake and how many people have actually been vaccinated. Im told it could be well over 80 and thatis told it could be well over 80 and that is the case that will have a Significant Impact on saving lives. Because more than a third of covid deaths have been in care home residents so that should start to have a Significant Impact and we should start to see Vaccination Impact in the coming weeks i think and falling numbers of deaths, thankfully. 50 and falling numbers of deaths, thankfully and falling numbers of deaths, thankfull. , , thankfully. So that is positive but wor in thankfully. So that is positive but worrying news thankfully. So that is positive but worrying news is thankfully. So that is positive but worrying news is the thankfully. So that is positive but worrying news is the south thankfully. So that is positive but| worrying news is the South African variant and we now know that is in various parts of england. Huge Testing Programme is under way, Emergency Testing, some 80,000 people. How worried should we be about this South African variant . These are not the first cases of the South African variant but what is different is these are the first cases that cannot be directly traced back to someone who has been to the country, to south africa. What that promise is the feared that there is Community Transmission of this variant which is concerning but we must remember that this variant like the uk variant is more contagious but there is no evidence to suggest that it causes more serious illness. The data suggest that vaccines will work against it, perhaps not as effectively as they do against the original type but they still work so i think what were seeing today is Health Officials trying to hit it hard and hit it early to try to contain or if not contained then slow the spread of this variant. Because the uk is at a Crucial Point commit the Vaccination Programme going well and many Vulnerable People building up immunity and anything that interferes even a bit with that is bad news for exiting lockdown and exiting the pandemic and poses some risk to the population. And poses some risk to the pepulation and poses some risk to the oulation. , ~ ,. , population. Thank you very much for the moment population. Thank you very much for the moment. We population. Thank you very much for the moment. We will population. Thank you very much for the moment. We will be population. Thank you very much for the moment. We will be back population. Thank you very much for the moment. We will be back with l the moment. We will be back with nickjust after the moment. We will be back with nick just after the briefing. Lets get more from our Political Correspondent iain watson. We heard from the Prime Minister today saying in spite of the good figures on vaccinations it is too early to take our foot off the throat of the beast . Absolutely, it sounds very throat of the beast . Absolutely, it sounds very much throat of the beast . Absolutely, it sounds very much like throat of the beast . Absolutely, it sounds very much like a throat of the beast . Absolutely, it sounds very much like a boris sounds very much like a Boris Johnson quote but he likes to sprinkle some optimism against the rather bleak landscape that we are living through so i thought today was interesting that he was stressing that we could be living with covid for quite some time. Certainly politically the government reputation is under the microscope last week when it was announced more than 100,000 people died within 28 days of receiving a positive covid test. This week at least some good news on vaccinations, Downing Street claiming that he met the promise he gave earlier injanuary claiming that he met the promise he gave earlier in january that all elderly care home residents in england would get the offer of a vaccination. We are not quite sure yet to sister greet how many have taken up the offer. Not quite sure yet statistically. He is hoping for more positive political news in due course, if you can reach his next milestone on the 15th Of February and get the Over 70s Vaccinated or at least get the offer of vaccination and all Health Care Staff as well and clinically Vulnerable People than in the following week he would help to set out a cautious route map out of lockdown which may see some schools opening the following month. But he stressed again today there is a long way to go and that were just at the very beginning of this process. So perhaps one just about reached today but a lot more still to do and the other thing he will be looking out for it later in the month is any evidence which has been gathered on the transmissibility of the disease and how much the vaccines and Vaccine Programme is doing to suppress that as well as suppress symptoms. Suppress that as well as suppress symptoms suppress that as well as suppress s mtoms. ,. ,. ,. , symptoms. Normally at this time of ear man symptoms. Normally at this time of year many peeple symptoms. Normally at this time of year many people would symptoms. Normally at this time of year many people would think symptoms. Normally at this time of| year many people would think about booking a Summer Holiday and that is on peoples minds at the moment whether they will be able to have any kind of Summer Holiday abroad in particular. Yesterday slightly mixed messages from government ministers, what do they say today . fisgdin messages from government ministers, what do they say today . What do they say today . Again they bein what do they say today . Again they being cautious. What do they say today . Again they being cautious. Boris what do they say today . Again they being cautious. Boris johnson what do they say today . Again they being cautious. Boris johnson was l being cautious. Borisjohnson was asked about this, he spoke earlier about the new variant and later on this evening in the House Of Commons the labour party has called an Opposition Day Debate to discuss tightening up Border Restrictions even further with more widespread use of Hotel Quarantine for example while the Vaccination Programme is going on. All of that would tend to suggest we may be some way off getting a Summer Holiday out of the country but he was at a Vaccination Centre in berkeley today and the Prime Minister was asked if he was optimistic about the prospect of a holiday in yorkshire this summer. This is what he said. I dont want to give too much concrete by way of dates for our Summer Holidays. I am optimistic. I understand the reasons for being optimistic. But some things have got to go right for us and the Vaccine Programme has got to continue to be successful. Weve got to make sure we dont get thrown off course by new variants. Weve got to make sure we continue to keep the disease under control, you know, the level of infections come down. I will be setting out on fabry the 22nd more about the way ahead and people should certainly be able to plan on that basis. That was the Prime Minister speaking earlier and he also hinted that we might not return to the tier system in england. Might not return to the tier system in encland. ,. , might not return to the tier system in england in england. Yes, he seemed to say that his mind in england. Yes, he seemed to say that his mind was in england. Yes, he seemed to say that his mind was open in england. Yes, he seemed to say that his mind was open on in england. Yes, he seemed to sayj that his mind was open on whether in england. Yes, he seemed to say i that his mind was open on whether to return to the tier system. Hes had some pressure from local government leaders including andy burnham not to go back to the regional approach when we emerge from lockdown and he seemed to be open to the idea that the nation as a whole could go down the nation as a whole could go down the tiers. For example start off in tier 4 and then or perhaps move down to tier 3 or tier 2 as Infection Rates improve. Again he suggested that the nature of the new variant to kent rather than South African variant was such that similarities between different areas were now emerging because it had spread quite so rapidly and perhaps you did not have that big divergence were some parts of the country, the southwest had very few infections and other parts of the north east had a huge number. So it looks as though he has not made up his mind yet, i think he will be applauded inside his own party. But i think in the end we could potentially see a National Approach when he sets out the road map out of lockdown as he hopes to do towards the end of this month. Thank you, good to talk to you. Drjulian tang is a Consultant Virologist at leicester royal infirmary. He says what we are seeing with mutations and different strains of covid is normal in the life span of a virus. Well typically they interact with human beings and this South African and brazilian variant, we will have another baby three, six months later. We already have rumours about the israeli variant and german variant. Most of the people in the world have not been affected by this virus can just 20 and we still have a long way to go before the virus settles and reaches some symbiosis with the human population. The Vaccination Programme across the uk is continuing to accelerate and jim reed has this report. Vaccination day, come on. Vaccination day at this care home in somerset, and the atmosphere is upbeat. How you feeling, barbara . All right. I looking forward to it. Youre looking forward to it, are you . A third of all deaths from covid have taken place in care homes, so the government is calling today a milestone. Were very pleased that weve been able to give all elderly care home residents, virtually all elderly care home residents have now been given their firstjab or a slot for their firstjab, and thats very important for getting the spread of the virus down, getting the serious illness and the fatality down. Looking across the uk, in scotland 94 of residents have now had their first jab and 80 of staff. Wales has now given a first dose to 74 of residents and 78 of staff, and in northern ireland, 80 of residents have now had both doses of a vaccine. But in england there have been concerns about some care home workers. The government appears to have missed its target to offer a jab to all staff by the end of january. Some of it is to do with access, and that is that people are just not able to get to where they needed to go to. If theyve been coming into the care homes, their gps have not had enough vaccine for the staff as well, theyve just got enough for the residents, which was the priority, and some of it is to do with cultural issues. Some is that people just dont want to have the vaccine. Squeeze a little bit tight. Here at this home in cheltenham, all residents will need a second jab in 12 weeks time before they are fully protected. You feel totally different because you feel you are getting somewhere and getting on the way to, you know, being free. Whether it works out or not is another thing, but it is worth a try. There are now calls to speed up the roll out of the booster dose, to allow homes to restart full face to face visits as soon as possible. People arentjust dying of covid, they are dying of loneliness in their tens of thousands. Thats why it is so important those visits can restart as quickly as possible and we feel potentially the second dose is an important step along the way. For tens of thousands, though, this is a positive day. Not the end of the pandemic by any means, but a real step towards what should be a more normal life. Jim reed, bbc news. Mike padgham is the chair of the independent care group. Thank of the independent care group. You very much indt with thank you very much indeed for being with us and the government are saying, well, they are going to announce that they have reached this milestone this afternoon in care homes, offering the vaccine to all older residents in care homes, what you make of that . You make of that . Well, good afternoon you make of that . Well, good afternoon. The you make of that . Well, good afternoon. The government. You make of that . Well, good afternoon. The government hasnt got everything right in this pandemic but im very pleased and commend them with what i have done with the vaccine roll out, it is very good news and i am pleased for everybody. And the take up has been really good, hasnt it, in care homes, from what we can see from the data . Yes. What we can see from the data . Yes, it has been what we can see from the data . Yes, it has been a what we can see from the data . Yes, it has been a massive what we can see from the data . Yes it has been a massive exercise for the whole country, nhs, gps giving the whole country, nhs, gps giving the vaccine to clients in care homes, so it has been a massive effort and they have done it very quickly. 0ff effort and they have done it very quickly. Off to a slow start but it is certainly no met the deadline and has given older people and their carers a lot of comfort. What has given older people and their carers a lot of comfort. What about staff . There carers a lot of comfort. What about staff . There were carers a lot of comfort. What about staff . There were some carers a lot of comfort. What about staff . There were some reports carers a lot of comfort. What about | staff . There were some reports that care home staff, the take up of the offer of the vaccine wasnt as high as perhaps the government had been hoping. I as perhaps the government had been hoina. ~. , as perhaps the government had been hoina. ~. ,. ,. , hoping. I think we got a bit more work to do hoping. I think we got a bit more work to do on hoping. I think we got a bit more work to do on that, hoping. I think we got a bit more work to do on that, as hoping. I think we got a bit more work to do on that, as your hoping. I think we got a bit more i work to do on that, as your previous contributor said, for some reason, perhaps younger groups and those with cultural and difficulties are not accepting the vaccine and we need to encourage more people to take up the vaccine and i think they will, perhaps, when they reflect on it but hopefully it will be done by consent, because that is the way forward and i hope those figures will improve. Forward and i hope those figures will improve forward and i hope those figures will improve. When you talk about consent and will improve. When you talk about consent and persuasion, will improve. When you talk about consent and persuasion, what will improve. When you talk about consent and persuasion, what can | will improve. When you talk about i consent and persuasion, what can be done to try and persuade people in care homes to have the jab if they initially, theirfirst reaction, is not to . I initially, their first reaction, is not to . , ~ initially, their first reaction, is not to . , ~. , not to . I would like to see the government not to . I would like to see the government to not to . I would like to see the government to a not to . I would like to see the government to a bit not to . I would like to see the government to a bit more i not to . I would like to see the government to a bit more of l not to . I would like to see the government to a bit more of a not to . I would like to see the i government to a bit more of a Public Campaign to show the benefits of the vaccine but i think it is up to us and colleagues and others to show people have had it done and not suffered any ill effects and it is really a contribution to the health of the nation, but also to help protect families with those members of staff as well, so it is about persuasion and i hope when people reflect, they will see it but i think the government needs to take more of a lead in showing the benefits. ,. ,. ,. , benefits. Generally, though, it has been a success benefits. Generally, though, it has been a success in benefits. Generally, though, it has been a success in terms benefits. Generally, though, it has been a success in terms of benefits. Generally, though, it has been a success in terms of the i been a success in terms of the vaccination of people in care homes. What does that mean for loved ones who want to visit their relatives in care . Is that going to mean a real change . I care . Is that going to mean a real chance . , w care . Is that going to mean a real chance . ,. ,. , care . Is that going to mean a real chance . ,. ,. , change . I do hope so and people who want to meet change . I do hope so and people who want to meet loved change . I do hope so and people who want to meet loved ones change . I do hope so and people who want to meet loved ones in change . I do hope so and people who want to meet loved ones in care i want to meet loved ones in care homes, theyve been extremely patient but i guess i have got to sayjust because you hold on A Little Bit Longer . It is not until the second outcome is that people are immune completely and there are discussions between up to 12 weeks between vaccines, i do hope we can get that time span reduced, so we can get visiting under way as quickly as possible, because it is very important for the loved ones and their Mental Health and i do hope the government takes that priority. Hope the government takes that riori. , hope the government takes that riori. ,. , priority. That time span of 12 weeks has been quite priority. That time span of 12 weeks has been quite controversial. I priority. That time span of 12 weeks| has been quite controversial. Would you say it should be reduced . Weill. You say it should be reduced . Well, i am not you say it should be reduced . Well, i am not an you say it should be reduced . Well, i am not an epidemiologist, you say it should be reduced . Well, i am not an epidemiologist, i i you say it should be reduced . Ii i am not an epidemiologist, i can only say what i have read from experts. In fact, only say what i have read from experts. Infact, it only say what i have read from experts. In fact, it can be safely reduced. The issue i guess is that less people get the vaccine quickly because others get the second dose, so it is more of a political point. I would like to see it reduced, i think it can be done and i would like to see it happening care homes as quickly as it can be done. You are essentially as quickly as it can be done. You are essentially saying, after the second dose, whenever it is, when a care home has had all of its second doses, there is no reason why visiting shouldnt resume . I think it can but we visiting shouldnt resume . I think it can but we still visiting shouldnt resume . I think it can but we still have visiting shouldnt resume . I think it can but we still have to visiting shouldnt resume . I think it can but we still have to be i it can but we still have to be cautious. I think we will still have to do social distance and still have the ppe and facemasks for A Little Bit Longer, but at least fa ce to fa ce bit longer, but at least face to face and indoor visits can resume and i think there is no reason that cant happen. We just have to be very cautious, because we dont a third way. Mike have to be very cautious, because we dont a third way. Dont a third way. Mike padgham, chair of the dont a third way. Mike padgham, chair of the independent dont a third way. Mike padgham, chair of the independent care i dont a third way. Mike padgham, i chair of the independent care group, thank you so much for being with us. We dont want a third wave. And the defence secretary, ben wallace, has dropped a heavy hint that more troops could soon be deployed in scotland to speed up the rolling out of Vaccine Programme against covid 19. At defence questions in the commons, mr wallace was asked by the Liberal Democrat mp for caithness, jamie stone, what the mod could do to increase the number of vaccinations given. Mr wallace said one of the strengths of the union was that someone in one part of the United Kingdom could call on armed forces help when needed, wherever they were. That is the latest, a hint from the defence secretary that more troops could be used in scotland to speed up could be used in scotland to speed up the Vaccination Programme there. Children could lose up to £40,000 each in Lifetime Earnings because of the lasting effects of School Closures during the pandemic. Thats the warning today from the economic think tank the institute for fiscal studies. 0ur Education Correspondent Elaine Dunkley has been to one school on merseyside where Head Teachers and staff are working hard to help vulnerable pupils. Morning, guys, you 0k . Egremont primary in wallasey. Morning, gorgeous. A school at the heart of the community. Morning. Weve got 107 on average in school each day, out of our 309. Were not turning children away, but were obviously needing to do what were expecting to do in keeping our numbers small, but its a really hard job. 0k, morning guys, can everyone see . The workload that the teachers are doing has, without question, increased significantly. Theyre essentially tripling what they are doing. You know, theyve got their live learning, theyve got the google classroom and then they have the paper learning, if you like. Lockdown has been a challenging time for staff and pupils. I would say the children are quite anxious. They are feeling like when is this going to end, whats going to happen . We cant socialise with anyone, i and school is very different because we have different restrictions. I come into school because i havent got any devices or laptops at home. My teachers are really kind to me and ijust like it in school. This area has high levels of deprivation. One of the biggest concerns is that children will go hungry. In this vicinity, most of the wirral, liverpool, it is working poverty and it is child poverty, and its all of those things put together, its everything. Its affecting so many more people and children than ever before. Every week, the school delivers food parcels to families and the numbers are growing. People are embarrassed, but they shouldnt be. They shouldnt be. Over the past year, life and learning for many has been tough. Here, the challenges had been met with resilience, imagination and, of course, humour. Do you want to tell us what youre going to be doing today, talia . Well, to be honest, i only woke up, like, 45 minutes ago are we 0k . Now and again, you just think, wow, 0k, right, what do we need to do next . You cant switch off from it. Messages of support have flooded in for captain sir tom moore whos in hospital with coronavirus. The 100 year old Second World War veteran, who raised nearly £33 million for the nhs during the first lockdown, was admitted yesterday because he needed help with his breathing. John maguire reports. It all started as his way of thanking the nhs for looking after him following a fall. Now captain sir tom moore, the record breaking fundraiser, is under its care once again. He is being treated for pneumonia and covid 19 at Bedford Hospital. His daughter hannah told us he had been receiving treatment at home, but was brought here to Bedford Hospital yesterday to receive extra support for his breathing. Hes on a ward, and not in intensive care. She described the medical care hes received over the past few weeks as remarkable, and goes on to say. We last spoke to him just before christmas, and he was his usual, optimistic self. But things will get better, and next year well be all right. Captain toms endeavours, walking 100 lengths of his back garden before his 100th birthday last april, saw him raise almost £40 million for Nhs Charities. He inspired so many to follow in his footsteps, and his story was told Around The World. Now, once again, people are lining up to wish him well. The Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted. When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high. Band when you walk through a storm, hold your head up high. Your head up high. And the singer michael ball, your head up high. And the singer michael ball, whose your head up high. And the singer michael ball, whose duet your head up high. And the singer michael ball, whose duet with i michael ball, whose duet with captain tom helped him break yet another record as they made it to number one, said, stay strong, sir, we are all here for you. He is a huge cricket fan, and the former england captain Michael Vaughan sent this message. Sir captain tom, over the last ten months, youve been our inspiration. Youve been the nations heartbeat. We are all thinking of you. Get well soon. Thank you, captain tom, from the nhs. And in passing on their best wishes the Nhs Charities he helped reminds us of the difference hes made. We owe him so much for inspiring people to support Nhs Charities. The funds that he raised are making such a difference right now, to nhs staff, volunteers and patients. Our thoughts are with him and his family at this time. And we wish you a speedy recovery, captain tom. As the pandemic led to repeated lockdowns, captain tom has always offered messages of hope and positivity reminding us all to walk, to talk and to look after each other. Its now time for us to return the favour and to look forward to seeing that smile once again. John maguire, bbc news, bedford. Yes, indeed, all good wishes from us to captain tom. Now, as we wait for today plus my Coronavirus Briefing from Downing Street, Led By Matt Hancock and accompanied by professor Stephen Parez and doctor Susan Hopkins from Public Health england, lets talk to nick trickle stephen powys. 0ne lets talk to nick trickle stephen powys. One of the big concerns today is the discovery of people who have the new South African Variant Of Coronavirus but they havent travelled from south africa, so there is a worry know there is Community Transmission of this variant, so Emergency Testing is under way in parts of england at the moment. Is under way in parts of england at the moment the moment. Yes, it is, it is ust 11 eole the moment. Yes, it is, it is ust 11 people who i the moment. Yes, it is, it is ust 11 people who they i the moment. Yes, it is, it is ust 11 people who they havent i the moment. Yes, it is, it isjust 11 people who they havent been | the moment. Yes, it is, it isjust 11 people who they havent been able to make a direct link back to someone who has travelled to south africa, and that is why we are seeing this Emergency Testing parachuted into these areas. They are doing two things with the testing. Firstly, in most of the areas, they are going to be sending home testing kits direct to peoples homes. There are around 10,000 people in each of these eight neighbourhoods, so that is a significant amount of testing that needs to be done. They will also take into these areas mobile testing units, so people can come out into their neighbourhood and get tested at these mobile units. They want everyone over the age of 16 to be tested, whether they have got symptoms or not and any of the positive cases that result in those areas will then be sent off to another lab to sequence the infection to find out if it is their South African variant, because that is the only way of telling whether that South African variant is present and, in fact, this sequencing, the uk is a world leader in this, is how they have managed to identify these 11 cases, because they sequence a random sample between five and 10 of positive cases that get sent off for this sequencing. That then suggests there could be more cases out there, so i suspect, in the coming weeks, we will hear more of cases like this, where areas are going in and having this random testing, mass testing of the whole neighbourhood, and this could, i think, the whole neighbourhood, and this could, ithink, have increasingly frequently because the Health Authorities do want to contain this or at least slow the spread, given we are at such a critical stage. Lets talk about the latest general figures on coronavirus in the uk, in terms of the number of cases and deaths. Just talk us through those, they are both down on recent figures. The cases are encouraging and there has been talk in recent weeks that the government surveillance involving random testing of the population is showing that cases and Infection Levels are not falling as fast as the daily cases show so the fact that we had another for today, just over 18,000 is the lowest level since mid december. Last week we had over 20,000 cases per day and at the start of the year closer to 60,000 cases per day so it really strong evidence that cases are coming down and quite fast. That is now translating to fewer Hospital Admissions. 2981 Hospital Admissions and if we look back ten days, two weeks ago we regularly saw over 4000 new admissions to hospital so that will slowly but gradually start to ease the pressure on hospitals which of course will be crucial when we come to the end of february and the Prime Minister is making decisions about lifting restrictions. That pressure on the nhs is one of the crucial factors. Pressure on the nhs is one of the crucialfactors. And on death as pressure on the nhs is one of the crucial factors. And on death as you say a low number, just over 400 and partly the result of delays in reporting for the weekend. 0n reporting for the weekend. On average we have over 1000 deaths per day. The rise has slowed in fact and it looks like the number of deaths are beginning to plateau and i think that we can help with falling numbers in hospital but they will start to come down and then of course there is the impact of vaccination to come. Yesterday we heard from Public Health england that perhaps in two weeks time we could see the first signs of vaccination having an impact on Hospital Cases and then on deaths. And vaccinations across the uk, 9. 2 million and we are also going to hear we think from the Health Secretary at the briefing which will start any minute now, of course they have set themselves a series of targets and one of those was to offer the vaccine to all people in care homes and they are saying that that has been achieved. In care homes in england, by today. I think the Health Secretary homes in england, by today. I think the Health Secretary matt homes in england, by today. I think the Health Secretary Matt Hancockl the Health Secretary matt hancock will confirm everyone in a care home, almost 400,000 People Living in over 10,000 care homes, have been offered a vaccine. I think perhaps about 1 of homes where vaccinators had not been able to go in because there has been an outbreak of covid but they will be vaccinating them as soon as they can. find but they will be vaccinating them as soon as they can. Soon as they can. And here is the start of the soon as they can. And here is the start of the briefing soon as they can. And here is the start of the briefing with soon as they can. And here is the start of the briefing with matt i start of the briefing with matt hancock accompanied by Susan Hopkins and Stephen Powis. And Stephen Powis. Welcome to the coronavirus and Stephen Powis. Welcome to the Coronavirus Briefing and Stephen Powis. Welcome to the Coronavirus Briefing and and Stephen Powis. Welcome to the Coronavirus Briefing and im and Stephen Powis. Welcome to the Coronavirus Briefing and im joined l Coronavirus Briefing and im joined by professor Stephen Powis the medical director of nhs england and doctor Susan Hopkins who is the chief medical adviser to Public Health england and nhs test and trace. Quite a lot of news to bring you up to speed on and right at the start i want to tell you where we are with the Vaccine Programme. Im so proud of the team who now have vaccinated 9. 2 Million People across the uk. That includes 931,000 vaccinations just this weekend. To put that in context that is one in every 60 adults in the whole of the uk vaccinated in one single weekend. It is a mammoth effort. I knowjust how much these jabs mean to people and im so gratefulfor all the messages that we get and all the pictures that im cent of people being vaccinated. It fills me with pride that so many people are doing so much to help for this well up to happen so smoothly and i want to say thank you to you all. Getting vaccinated is an emotional moment for so many people and that is because it is about protecting those who are most vulnerable to covid. With vaccinated now almost nine out of ten of all over 80s in the uk. And now as of today we have vaccinated over half of all people in their 70s. Im delighted that i can tell you that we have visited every eligible care home with older residents in england and offered vaccinations to all of their residents and staff. This has been an incredible example of health and social working together. Working side by side to protect people who are in the most need. As professor Michael Green the chief executive of cair england said today, this is a wonderful achievement and one that is testament to the hard work of care home staff and our colleagues in the nhs and local authorities. I want to thank every Single Person who has helped us get this far. I also want to let you know some good news on vaccine supply. To date we have ordered another 40 million vaccine doses from valneva. As we have had all along we have invested early and at risk before we know for sure if it will come good. Because from the start we have taken a no regrets attitude to backing vaccines. Weve tried to leave nothing on the table. If this gets Regulatory Approval the valneva vaccine like many others will be made right here in the uk. The 0xford Astrazeneca Vaccine is made in oxford and staffordshire and wrexham, the Novavax Vaccine is being manufactured in teesside and if approved this valneva vaccine will be manufactured in livingston in scotland. We did not start this pandemic with a large scale onshore vaccine faction capability. So we are building one, all across the uk. And the Vaccine Programme just goes to show how important it is the whole uk working as one together. We now have over 400 million doses of vaccines on order and this obviously is more than the uk population needs. My attitude has always been we protect every uk citizen as fast as we can and at the same time we are generous Around The World. I want to say this to our international partners, of course i am delighted about how well this is going at home. But i believe fundamentally that the vaccine roll out is a global effort. 0ne fundamentally that the vaccine roll out is a global effort. One of the many reasons im so happy with the many reasons im so happy with the astrazeneca contract is that it notjust the astrazeneca contract is that it not just gives the astrazeneca contract is that it notjust gives us a strong supply here but because it is the only vaccine currently being deployed thatis vaccine currently being deployed that is available to the whole world at cost and because it is logistically straightforward it can be practically deployed to the poorest parts of the world as well. So we will protect uk supply and we will play our part to ensure that the whole world can get the jab. Another area where we are helping Around The World is in spotting new variants. 0ur Around The World is in spotting new variants. Our Global Leadership in Genomic Sequencing helped us spot new variants in the uk and quickly turn out the rest of the world. But there are other countries that do not have the capacity that they need. Last week we offered our capacity and expertise to other nations to a new variant assessment platform. Because a mutation in one part of the world as a threat to people everywhere. For example are South African colleagues spotted a new variant to the high quality Genomic Sequencing and rightly notified the world as we did with the variant we discovered here in the variant we discovered here in the uk. We have now identified 105 cases of this variant here. 11 of those cases do not appear to have any links to international travel. There is currently no evidence to suggest that this variant is any more severe but we need to come down on it hard and we will. We have already made sure that all these cases are isolating and that we have done enhanced Contact Tracing of all of their close contacts. We are putting extra testing into the areas where this variant has been found in sequencing every single case. Working with local authorities we are going door to door to test people in the local area. These cases have been identified in the following postcodes. In w7, n17, cr4, wsz, meis, enio, gu21, and pr9. Cr4, wsz, me15, enio, gu21, and pr9. If cr4, wsz, meis, enio, gu21, and pr9. If you live in one of these postcodes where we are sending in enhanced testing then it is imperative that you stay at home and that you get a test even if you do not have symptoms. This is so important so that we can break the chains of transmission of this new variant. And weve got to bring this virus to heal. So theres lots of good news but this is a stark reminder that the fight against this virus is not over yet. Everyday we are protecting more people and getting ourselves one step closer to normal life. But this is no time to let things slip. So lets all of us do what we must to this virus under control. We are now going to go to questions from the public and then from members of the media. The first question by video is from elizabeth from bradford. From bradford. Many of the most vulnerable from bradford. Many of the most vulnerable groups from bradford. Many of the most vulnerable groups have from bradford. Many of the most vulnerable groups have received | vulnerable groups have received their vulnerable groups have received their first vulnerable groups have received their first dose vulnerable groups have received their first dose of vulnerable groups have received their first dose of the vulnerable groups have received their first dose of the pfizer their first dose of the Pfizer Biontech their first dose of the Pfizer Biontech vaccine their first dose of the Pfizer Biontech vaccine and their first dose of the Pfizer Biontech vaccine and the l their first dose of the Pfizer Biontech vaccine and the second test is due biontech vaccine and the second test is due given biontech vaccine and the second test is due given the biontech vaccine and the second test is due. Given the recent biontech vaccine and the second test is due. Given the recent attempts i biontech vaccine and the second test is due. Given the recent attempts byl is due. Given the recent attempts by the eu is due. Given the recent attempts by the eu to is due. Given the recent attempts by the eu to block is due. Given the recent attempts by the eu to block supplies is due. Given the recent attempts by the eu to block supplies of is due. Given the recent attempts by the eu to block supplies of the i the eu to block supplies of the vaccine the eu to block supplies of the vaccine into the eu to block supplies of the vaccine into the the eu to block supplies of the vaccine into the uk the eu to block supplies of the vaccine into the uk how the eu to block supplies of the vaccine into the uk how can i the eu to block supplies of the i vaccine into the uk how can these groups vaccine into the uk how can these groups be vaccine into the uk how can these groups be sure vaccine into the uk how can these groups be sure of vaccine into the uk how can these groups be sure of getting vaccine into the uk how can these groups be sure of getting the i vaccine into the uk how can these i groups be sure of getting the second dose within groups be sure of getting the second dose within the groups be sure of getting the second dose within the already groups be sure of getting the second dose within the already extended i dose within the already extended timeframe . Dose within the already extended timeframe . Dose within the already extended timeframe . , , timeframe . Elizabeth, this is very. Uestion timeframe . Elizabeth, this is very question and timeframe . Elizabeth, this is very question and you timeframe . Elizabeth, this is very question and you are timeframe . Elizabeth, this is very question and you are quite timeframe . Elizabeth, this is very question and you are quite right i timeframe . Elizabeth, this is very| question and you are quite right to ask it. We have a high degree of confidence in the supplies that we have contracted from pfizer and astrazeneca. And we are working with our European Partners to ensure there Supply Chains can remain open. In the same way that some supplies made in the continent, so to a huge amount is made onshore here in the uk. Im very pleased that weve been able to have the construct of progress that we have over the weekend with the eu and following those decisions by the eu im confident we will be to deliver supplies to everyone who needs it for their second dose. Of say this is something that we keep a very close eye on but it is imperative that when the nhs calls and gives you the chance to get the jab, please to come forward. The Next Question is from ruth from rochester also by video. You question is from ruth from rochester also by video also by video. You have said that clinically extremely also by video. You have said that clinically extremely vulnerable i clinically extremely vulnerable adults clinically extremely vulnerable adults will clinically extremely vulnerable adults will receive clinically extremely vulnerable adults will receive their clinically extremely vulnerable adults will receive their first i adults will receive their first vaccination adults will receive their first vaccination by adults will receive their first vaccination by the adults will receive their first vaccination by the middle i adults will receive their first vaccination by the middle of february vaccination by the middle of february. Yet vaccination by the middle of february. Yet many vaccination by the middle of february. Yet many gp i vaccination by the middle of february. Yet many gp surgeries are still struggling february. Yet many gp surgeries are still struggling to february. Yet many gp surgeries are still struggling to get february. Yet many gp surgeries are still struggling to get through february. Yet many gp surgeries are still struggling to get through the i still struggling to get through the first group still struggling to get through the first group with still struggling to get through the first group with stocks still struggling to get through the first group with stocks they still struggling to get through the first group with stocks they have. Theyve first group with stocks they have. Theyve no first group with stocks they have. Theyve no idea first group with stocks they have. Theyve no idea when first group with stocks they have. Theyve no idea when those i first group with stocks they have. Theyve no idea when those in first group with stocks they have. I theyve no idea when those in group four will theyve no idea when those in group four will receive theyve no idea when those in group four will receive their theyve no idea when those in group four will receive their first four will receive their first vaccination. Four will receive their first vaccination. Please four will receive their first vaccination. Please couldl four will receive their first. Vaccination. Please could you four will receive their first vaccination. Please could you tell us if voure vaccination. Please could you tell us if voure going vaccination. Please could you tell us if youre going to vaccination. Please could you tell us if youre going to extend vaccination. Please could you tell us if youre going to extend the l us if youre going to extend the deadline us if youre going to extend the deadline or us if youre going to extend the deadline or if us if youre going to extend the deadline or if you us if youre going to extend the deadline or if you make us if youre going to extend the deadline or if you make sure i us if youre going to extend the| deadline or if you make sure gp surgeries deadline or if you make sure gp surgeries have deadline or if you make sure gp surgeries have enough deadline or if you make sure gp surgeries have enough stock. Deadline or if you make sure gp surgeries have enough stock to| deadline or if you make sure gp. Surgeries have enough stock to be able to surgeries have enough stock to be able to complete surgeries have enough stock to be able to complete that surgeries have enough stock to be able to complete that first able to complete that first vaccination able to complete that First Vaccination Roll out able to complete that First Vaccination Roll out by able to complete that firsti vaccination roll out by the able to complete that First Vaccination Roll out by the middle of february vaccination roll out by the middle of february. Please vaccination roll out by the middle of february. Please could vaccination roll out by the middle of february. Please could you vaccination roll out by the middle| of february. Please could you also tell us of february. Please could you also tell us why of february. Please could you also tell us why social of february. Please could you also tell us why social care of february. Please could you also tell us why social care staff of february. Please could you also tell us why social care staff are of february. Please could you also tell us why social care staff are in i tell us why social care staff are in Group Tell Us why social care staff are in group two tell us why social care staff are in group two yet tell us why social care staff are in group two yet unpaid tell us why social care staff are in group two yet unpaid carers tell us why social care staff are in group two yet unpaid carers are l tell us why social care staff are in| group two yet unpaid carers are in group group two yet unpaid carers are in group six group two yet unpaid carers are in group six those group two yet unpaid carers are in group six. Those unpaid group two yet unpaid carers are in group six. Those unpaid carers group two yet unpaid carers are in i group six. Those unpaid carers often do more group six. Those unpaid carers often do more work group six. Those unpaid carers often do more work with group six. Those unpaid carers often do more work with their group six. Those unpaid carers often do more work with their Clients Group six. Those unpaid carers often do more work with their clients than| do more work with their clients than those do more work with their clients than those in do more work with their clients than those in group do more work with their clients than those in group two do more work with their clients than those in group two and do more work with their clients than those in group two and for do more work with their clients than those in group two and for much those in group two and for much longer those in group two and for much longer hours those in group two and for much longer hours. Please those in group two and for much longer hours. Please could those in group two and for much longer hours. Please could you i longer hours. Please could you explain longer hours. Please could you exolain the longer hours. Please could you explain the difference longer hours. Please could you explain the difference between longer hours. Please could you explain the difference between the groups. Explain the difference between the groups. Thank explain the difference between the droops. Lhankyod explain the difference between the groups, thank you. Groups, thank you. Thank you for those questions. Groups, thank you. Thank you for those questions. On groups, thank you. Thank you for those questions. On the groups, thank you. Thank you for those questions. On the first those questions. On the first question we do have enough supply to be able to hit the target of offering a jab to everyone in groups one to groups for by the 15th Of February and we are working hard to make sure everyone gets the offer and then i am im very keen that offer. That is not only through the gp services although they are playing a huge role but also through the mass Vaccination Centres and hospitals. And in kent where you are for instance we have just opened a new mass Vaccination Centre in folkestone. I appreciate that is a bit of distance from rochester but we have the roll out in all different parts of the country and everywhere in kent is less than ten miles from centre to be able to get the jab. So the roll out is happening on a mass scale as you can see from the numbers that we are getting through and weve got the supply to be able to make that offer to everyone ahead of the 15th Of February. On the second point on care workers and where they fit in the priority i will ask professor Stephen Powis to comment on this. The critical thing is that in category one we have those who work in care homes. And that obviously is the most Important Group to reach because that is where people who are most vulnerable reside. And then the other categories are determined by clinicaljudgements, not by my judgment, we asked what is the appropriate order in order of how best to protect the population as quickly as possible. Yes, those Priority Groups have been determined yes, those Priority Groups have been determined by an independent group of experts, the joint committee on vaccinations and immunisations and they have vaccinations and immunisations and they have ordered those Priority Groups they have ordered those Priority Groups exactly as the Secretary Of State groups exactly as the Secretary Of State has groups exactly as the Secretary Of State has said, to give the greatest benefit to state has said, to give the greatest benefit to those who are at highest risk of benefit to those who are at highest risk of the benefit to those who are at highest risk of the consequences of the virus risk of the consequences of the virus it risk of the consequences of the virus it is risk of the consequences of the virus. It is absolutely great news that we virus. It is absolutely great news that we are making wonderful progress that we are making wonderful progress in the nhs to vaccinate all those, progress in the nhs to vaccinate all those, to progress in the nhs to vaccinate all those, to offer a vaccination, to all those those, to offer a vaccination, to all those in those, to offer a vaccination, to all those in the top four Priority Groups all those in the top four Priority Groups and i am confident that, with the supplies coming through, we are on track the supplies coming through, we are on track to the supplies coming through, we are on track to deliver those jabs into the Arms On Track to deliver those jabs into the arms of on track to deliver those jabs into the arms of people in those top priority the arms of people in those top Priority Groups by the target that we set Priority Groups by the target that we set two weeks today. So, no doubt, we set two weeks today. So, no doubt, it we set two weeks today. So, no doubt, it is we set two weeks today. So, no doubt, it is a big challenge but, as you have doubt, it is a big challenge but, as you have seen in recent days, we are vaccinating you have seen in recent days, we are Vaccinating Hundreds Of Thousands of people Vaccinating Hundreds Of Thousands of people every day and we are very confident people every day and we are very confident that we are on track to meet confident that we are on track to meet that confident that we are on track to meet that challenge. Confident that we are on track to meet that challenge. Thank you very much. The next meet that challenge. Thank you very much. The Next Question meet that challenge. Thank you very much. The Next Question is meet that challenge. Thank you very much. The Next Question is from meet that challenge. Thank you very i much. The Next Question is from hugh pym, of the bbc. Much. The Next Question is from hugh pym. Of the bbc pym, of the bbc. Thank you, secretary pym, of the bbc. Thank you, secretary of pym, of the bbc. Thank you, Secretary Of State. Pym, of the bbc. Thank you, Secretary Of State. What pym, of the bbc. Thank you, Secretary Of State. What assurances can you give those in Priority Groups who are housebound but havent yet been given a date for their vaccination that they will be contacted as soon as possible . And, for professor hopkins and professor powis, how confident are you that the existing vaccines in use will be effective against the South African variant . ~ effective against the South African variant . ,. ,. Variant . Thank you very much. I will ask professor variant . Thank you very much. I will ask professor powis variant . Thank you very much. I will ask Professor Powis To variant . Thank you very much. I will ask Professor Powis To answer variant . Thank you very much. I will ask Professor Powis To answer the l ask Professor Powis To answer the first question and Doctor Hopkins The Second. First question and Doctor Hopkins The Second the second. Yes, so you are absolutely the second. Yes, so you are absolutely right, the second. Yes, so you are absolutely right, we the second. Yes, so you are absolutely right, we acknowledge that there are individuals in those priority that there are individuals in those Priority Groups who, for various reasons, Priority Groups who, for various reasons, are housebound or find it difficult reasons, are housebound or find it difficult to reasons, are housebound or find it difficult to travel to Vaccination Centres. Difficult to travel to Vaccination Centres, so, of course, our gps are working centres, so, of course, our gps are working hard centres, so, of course, our gps are working hard to ensure we can undertake working hard to ensure we can undertake visits to those individuals and get them vaccinated. If individuals and get them vaccinated. If they individuals and get them vaccinated. If they are individuals and get them vaccinated. If they are in those Priority Groups. If they are in those Priority Groups, they are a top priority and we will groups, they are a top priority and we will get groups, they are a top priority and we will get to them, so i am confident, as i have said, that we are on confident, as i have said, that we are on track confident, as i have said, that we are on track to meet that target and that includes ensuring we are getting that includes ensuring we are getting the vaccine to all those who are in getting the vaccine to all those who are in those groups, irrespective of whether are in those groups, irrespective of whether they can travel into centres or not or not. So, three of the or not. So, three of the vaccines that have been so, three of the vaccines that have been used so, three of the vaccines that have been used to so, three of the vaccines that have been used to date so, three of the vaccines that have been used to date in so, three of the vaccines that have been used to date in the so, three of the vaccines that have been used to date in the trials been used to date in the trials have shown been used to date in the trials have shown that been used to date in the trials have shown that they been used to date in the trials have shown that they have been used to date in the trials have shown that they have been been used to date in the trials have | shown that they have been effective against shown that they have been effective against the shown that they have been effective against the south shown that they have been effective against the South African shown that they have been effective against the South African variant, i against the South African variant, at a level against the South African variant, at a level grater against the South African variant, at a level grater than against the South African variant, at a level grater than was against the South African variant, at a level grater than was set against the South African variant, at a level grater than was set as. At a level grater than was set as the minimum at a level grater than was set as the minimum standard at a level grater than was set as the minimum standard by at a level grater than was set as the minimum standard by the l at a level grater than was set as i the minimum standard by the who at a level grater than was set as the minimum standard by the who and the minimum standard by the who and the fda the minimum standard by the who and the fda we the minimum standard by the who and the fda we expect the minimum standard by the who and the fda. We expect all the minimum standard by the who and the fda. We expect all vaccines the minimum standard by the who and the fda. We expect all vaccines to the fda. We expect all vaccines to have a the fda. We expect all vaccines to have a similar the fda. We expect all vaccines to have a similar level the fda. We expect all vaccines to have a similar level of have a similar level of effectiveness, have a similar level of effectiveness, particularly in reducing effectiveness, particularly in reducing hospitalisation effectiveness, particularly in reducing hospitalisation and | effectiveness, particularly in reducing hospitalisation and death and we reducing hospitalisation and death and we are reducing hospitalisation and death and we are doing reducing hospitalisation and death and we are doing laboratory reducing hospitalisation and death. And we are doing Laboratory Studies at the and we are doing Laboratory Studies at the moment and we are doing Laboratory Studies at the moment with and we are doing Laboratory Studies at the moment with the and we are doing Laboratory Studies at the moment with the south and we are doing Laboratory Studies l at the moment with the South African variant at the moment with the South African variant growing at the moment with the South African variant growing in at the moment with the South African variant growing in their at the moment with the South African variant growing in their labs, at the moment with the South African variant growing in their labs, so at the moment with the South African variant growing in their labs, so we i variant growing in their labs, so we will be variant growing in their labs, so we will be able variant growing in their labs, so we will be able to variant growing in their labs, so we will be able to investigate variant growing in their labs, so we will be able to investigate that will be able to investigate that with greater will be able to investigate that with greater robustness will be able to investigate that with greater Robustness Over. Will be able to investigate that l with greater Robustness Over the next couple with greater Robustness Over the next couple of with greater Robustness Over the next couple of weeks. With greater Robustness Over the next couple of weeks. With greater Robustness Over the next couple of weeks. Thank you very much. The next next couple of weeks. Thank you very much. The Next Question next couple of weeks. Thank you very much. The Next Question is next couple of weeks. Thank you very much. The Next Question is from much. The Next Question is from emily morgan at itv. Much. The Next Question is from emily morgan at itv. Thank you, secretary of emily morgan at itv. Thank you, Secretary Of State. Emily morgan at itv. Thank you, Secretary Of State. I emily morgan at itv. Thank you, Secretary Of State. I just emily morgan at itv. Thank you, Secretary Of State. I just wonder| Secretary Of State. I just wonder how confident you are that you can actually contain this new variant . Because there are clearly Community Transmission is going on and it is probably far more widespread than we actually think. Probably far more widespread than we actually think actually think. Well, it is on all of us to contain actually think. Well, it is on all of us to contain this actually think. Well, it is on all of us to contain this new actually think. Well, it is on all. Of us to contain this new variant. Of course, in lockdown, when the number of cases overall is coming down, we hope, too, that we can bring down the number of cases of the new variant and we are sending in the extra Surge Testing and enhanced Contact Tracing to try and stop those chains of transmission, to stop the spread altogether of these new variants, but it is not straightforward and, as you say, there may be further cases that we dont know about yet and our Genomic Sequencing is in place to try to try and spot them. The most important thing is that people in the postcode areas i have outlined need to take extra special precautions, the stay at home message is there for everyone but, in particular, in those areas, it is absolutely vital that people minimise all social contact and get a test when the opportunity arises and we are going door to door to ensure people have the chance to get those tests in the postcode areas that we have described. So it is a big effort, trying to get this new variant, essentially finding every single case of it, that is the goal, to make sure we protect people as well as possible. And the person medically responsible for making that happen is doctor hopkins. Thank ou, so i that happen is doctor hopkins. Thank you. So i would that happen is doctor hopkins. Thank you, so i would just that happen is doctor hopkins. 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Those face, space and stay at home message. Those are face, space and stay at home message. Those are the face, space and stay at home message. Those are the keyi face, space and stay at home message. Those are the key things we will do message. Those are the key things we will do to message. Those are the key things we will do to reduce message. Those are the key things we will do to reduce the message. Those are the key things we will do to reduce the virus will do to reduce the Virus Transmitting will do to reduce the Virus Transmitting to will do to reduce the Virus Transmitting to others will do to reduce the virus| transmitting to others and will do to reduce the Virus Transmitting to others and the extra measures transmitting to others and the extra measures we transmitting to others and the extra measures we have transmitting to others and the extra measures we have put transmitting to others and the extra measures we have put in transmitting to others and the extra measures we have put in place, measures we have put in place, enhanced measures we have put in place, enhanced contact measures we have put in place, enhanced Contact Tracing measures we have put in place, enhanced Contact Tracing of measures we have put in place, i enhanced Contact Tracing of those areas. Enhanced Contact Tracing of those areas. Will enhanced Contact Tracing of those areas. Will help enhanced Contact Tracing of those areas, will help us. Enhanced Contact Tracing of those areas, will help us. We enhanced Contact Tracing of those areas, will help us. We will areas, will help us. We will continue areas, will help us. We will continue to areas, will help us. We will continue to watch areas, will help us. We will continue to watch the areas, will help us. We will. Continue to watch the Genomic Seguencing continue to watch the Genomic Sequencing data continue to watch the Genomic Sequencing data very continue to watch the Genomic Sequencing data very carefully| continue to watch the Genomic I Sequencing Data very carefully for any variant sequencing data very carefully for any variant that sequencing data very carefully for any variant that emerges sequencing data very carefully for any variant that emerges is sequencing data very carefully for any variant that emerges is and l any variant that emerges is and enhance any variant that emerges is and enhance the any variant that emerges is and enhance the efforts any variant that emerges is and enhance the efforts that any variant that emerges is and enhance the efforts that we any variant that emerges is and enhance the efforts that we put any variant that emerges is and. Enhance the efforts that we put in to try enhance the efforts that we put in to try and enhance the efforts that we put in to try and reduce enhance the efforts that we put in to try and reduce the enhance the efforts that we put in to try and reduce the effect enhance the efforts that we put in to try and reduce the effect of enhance the efforts that we put in to try and reduce the effect of the spread to try and reduce the effect of the spread of these variants. To try and reduce the effect of the spread of these variants. It to try and reduce the effect of the spread of these variants. It is spread of these variants. It is worth saying. Spread of these variants. It is worth saying, in spread of these variants. Worth saying, in addition, i spread of these variants worth saying, in addition, i should have said in my first answer, it is worth saying in addition that the Contact Tracing system now finds 95 , around 95 , of those contacts, so it has built up to this very effective level. And, in addition, by sending people door to door and working with the local authority, we are trying to find all of the possible contacts and ensure they isolate, of course, which is the way that we are going to get this under control. Thank you, Next Question is tom from carers world. Tom from carers world. Thank you. Un aid tom from carers world. Thank you. Unpaid carers tom from carers world. Thank you. Unpaid carers in tom from carers world. Thank you. Unpaid carers in our tom from carers world. Thank you. Unpaid carers in our audience unpaid carers in our audience welcomes a successful vaccine roll out, it has certainly brought a sense of real relief to our audience but unpaid carers still dont feel truly recognised because they were put in a footnote when thejcb i decided that unpaid carers should be in vaccine band six so what assurances can you give our unpaid carers that they will be at the heart of Policy Decisions . And to professor powis and doctor hopkins, when a person in the high priority band is vaccinated, there is often an unpaid care are going with them and not being vaccinated at the same time. This terrifies the unpaid carers, who feels they will contract covid i9, leaving the person they care with at a greater risk of being left alone and impacting on social care, so shouldnt unpaid carers and the person they care for be vaccinated at the same time, whatever band . Vaccinated at the same time, whatever band . ,. ,. Whatever band . Thank you very much. I know whatever band . Thank you very much. I know from whatever band . Thank you very much. I know from my whatever band . Thank you very much. I know from my own whatever band . Thank you very much. I know from my own family whatever band . Thank you very much. I know from my own familyjust whatever band . Thank you very much. I know from my own familyjust how i i know from my own familyjust how important unpaid carers are and we have looked very carefully into where is the right place for unpaid carers in the Prioritisation List, and taken the advice professor powis talked about, so i can absolutely give you the assurance that unpaid carers are at the heart of policy making around social care, and i understand the value, it is notjust a financial and i understand the value, it is not just a financial value, and i understand the value, it is notjust a financial value, it is the value in terms of looking after people who are sometimes the most vulnerable and what people give up in order to do that. I get that and i think it is incredibly important. On the specific technical answer to the question, i will ask Professor Powis To set out in more detail. Thank you tom, and, of course, in the nhs, thank you tom, and, of course, in the nhs, we thank you tom, and, of course, in the nhs, we recognise the huge value that unpaid the nhs, we recognise the huge value that unpaid carers bring to our patients that unpaid carers bring to our patients. They look after them at home patients. They look after them at home and. Patients. They look after them at home and, of course, they can prevent home and, of course, they can prevent Hospital Admissions and of course prevent Hospital Admissions and of course they can facilitate hospital discharges when someone is well enough discharges when someone is well enough to discharges when someone is well enough to go home, so i can assure you that enough to go home, so i can assure you that we enough to go home, so i can assure you that we absolutely value all that they bring to the patients that we look that they bring to the patients that we look after. As i said earlier, we are working we look after. As i said earlier, we are working our way through the Vaccination Programme according to those Vaccination Programme according to those Priority Groups set byjcvi. I talked those Priority Groups set byjcvi. I talked about the target we have for two weeks today of those top four priority two weeks today of those top four Priority Groups, but i think it is also Priority Groups, but i think it is also worth Priority Groups, but i think it is also worth saying that, as soon as we have also worth saying that, as soon as we have done that, we will immediately be getting going into the next immediately be getting going into the next set of groups and very rapidly. As the next set of groups and very rapidly, as quickly as we can. Of course, rapidly, as quickly as we can. Of course, supply is dependent, but rapidly course, supply is dependent, but rapidly working our way down those priority rapidly working our way down those Priority Groups. So we have a focus on the Priority Groups. So we have a focus on the top Priority Groups. So we have a focus on the top four Priority Groups for the next on the top four Priority Groups for the next two weeks and, of course, that is the next two weeks and, of course, that is right, the next two weeks and, of course, that is right, but we will also be planning, that is right, but we will also be planning, as we speak at the moment, to keep planning, as we speak at the moment, to keep that planning, as we speak at the moment, to keep that focus on as we move into other to keep that focus on as we move into other Priority Groups rapidly. Thank into other Priority Groups rapidly. Thank you into other Priority Groups rapidly. Thank you very much indeed. The Next Question is from Gordon Rayner at the telegraph. Question is from Gordon Rayner at the telegraph question is from Gordon Rayner at the telegraph. Thank you, Secretary Of State. The telegraph. Thank you, Secretary Of State you the telegraph. Thank you, Secretary Of State. You have the telegraph. Thank you, Secretary Of State. You have stressed the telegraph. Thank you, Secretary Of State. You have stressed the the telegraph. Thank you, secretary | of state. You have stressed the need to break the chain of transmission of the new strain. In other countries where a new strain is discovered, they have isolated the areas where they have found them to stop it spreading, so why are we not doing that . And have you ruled out tighter restrictions in the areas where there south africa variant has been identified, given that the vaccine is less effective against it . And lastly, can ijust ask whether the three of you have been vaccinated yet . I whether the three of you have been vaccinated yet . Vaccinated yet . I havent been vaccinated vaccinated yet . I havent been vaccinated yet, vaccinated yet . I havent been vaccinated yet, but vaccinated yet . I havent been vaccinated yet, but i vaccinated yet . I havent been vaccinated yet, but i will vaccinated yet . I havent been vaccinated yet, but i will get i vaccinated yet . I havent been i vaccinated yet, but i will get my jab as soon city is my turn and i am really looking forward to that as soon as it is. I will ask The Other Two as well. The answer to the question that you have about the transmission of the new variant is, of course, we are always looking at what we need to do. There is already a National Lockdown in place that says that you should not travel unless it is absolutely necessary and that you should stay local, and we expect people to adhere to that everywhere, but, in particular, in the postcode i have set out, where people should stay at home unless they absolutely have to leave. And anybody even thinking about stretching the rules in those areas must not. Now, of course, further measures are always there, but we already have this very strong set of rules, indeed, very strong laws in place against people travelling unnecessarily, unless that travel is essential. So what i would say is, if you are in one of the postcode areas i set out, in an area where the new variant has been found, then stay at home and lets get this new variant totally under control. Doctor hopkins, over to you, have you had a jab . Doctor hopkins, over to you, have you had ajab . I doctor hopkins, over to you, have you had a jab . Doctor hopkins, over to you, have you had a jab . You had a ab . I havent, because, sadl , i you had ajab . I havent, because, sadly. I am you had ajab . I havent, because, sadly. I am not you had ajab . I havent, because, sadly, i am not doing you had ajab . I havent, because, sadly, i am not doing much you had ajab . I havent, because, sadly, i am not doing much front i sadly, i am not doing much front line clinical sadly, i am not doing much front line clinical work, sadly, i am not doing much front line clinical work, but sadly, i am not doing much front line clinical work, but my sadly, i am not doing much front. Line clinical work, but my husband, a front line clinical work, but my husband, a front line line clinical work, but my husband, a front line care line clinical work, but my husband, a front line care worker, line clinical work, but my husband, a front line care worker, has line clinical work, but my husband, a front line care worker, has been. | a front line care worker, has been. No, i a front line care worker, has been. No, i havent a front line care worker, has been. No, i havent been a front line care worker, has been. No, i havent been vaccinated a front line care worker, has been. No, i havent been vaccinated yet, | a front line care worker, has been. | no, i havent been vaccinated yet, i am looking no, i havent been vaccinated yet, i am looking forward to it. Like susan. Am looking forward to it. Like susan. I am looking forward to it. Like susan, i havent been doing frontline susan, i havent been doing front line care work, so i am not at the frontline~ front line care work, so i am not at the frontline. If i do start vaccinating, i have volunteered to vaccinate, vaccinating, i have volunteered to vaccinate, that would be one reason to get vaccinate, that would be one reason to get it. Vaccinate, that would be one reason to get it, otherwise i would need to wait until to get it, otherwise i would need to wait until my age band, we get to that age wait until my age band, we get to that age band in the Priority Groups that age band in the Priority Groups. My wife may have been vaccinated, she was in one of the clinical vaccinated, she was in one of the Clinical Trials but we dont know whether Clinical Trials but we dont know whether she had the vaccine or the control whether she had the vaccine or the control. ~ whether she had the vaccine or the control. ,. ,. Control. Thank you very much. The Next Question control. Thank you very much. The Next Question is control. Thank you very much. The Next Question is jane control. Thank you very much. The Next Question is jane merrick control. Thank you very much. The Next Question is jane merrick at i control. Thank you very much. The | Next Question is jane merrick at the Next Question is jane merrick at the i. Next question is jane merrick at the i. ~ Next Question is jane merrick at the i. Thank you. Professor hopkins, does the geographical i. Thank you. Professor hopkins, does the geographical spread i. Thank you. Professor hopkins, does the geographical spread suggest the South African variant is endemic and if the vaccines do need to be tweaked to improve effectiveness against it, will the 9. 3 Million People who have had the vaccine or had a jab be able to get a booster of the tweaked vaccine or will i have to restart the course, given they are the most vulnerable in the country . And if i could ask you, Secretary Of State, as a parent, you will understand the benefits of children being in school are not only from learning but the physical and Mental Health benefits of seeing friends, playing in the playground, which helps them sleep better and improve their motivation to do schoolwork. Do you think from a health perspective, there is an argument to reopen School Playgrounds for playtimes only earlier than the 8th of march if it can be done safely, with either a Bubble System in place, outdoors and Primary Schools . Bubble system in place, outdoors and Primary Schools . Thank you, jane. On the last question, Primary Schools . Thank you, jane. On the last question, before Primary Schools . Thank you, jane. On the last question, before i Primary Schools . Thank you, jane. On the last question, before i hand the last question, before i hand over to doctor hopkins, what i would say is we have taken the actions we have had to take with respect to schools, we have taken them with a very heavy heart, and they are, as the Prime Minister has said, the first measures that we will want to lift, but this virus is still absolutely wide spread across the country. There are still over 3a,ooo people in hospital and, to put that into context, that is 10,000 more than at the original peak, so we still have a lot of work to do together to get this under control and, of course, i understand the implications of the lockdown, but we have also seen just the terrible devastation that is caused by the virus being too widespread and i am very glad to say that it does appear to be coming down in terms of the caseload. On the first question, i will pass over to dr hopkins. So caseload. On the first question, i will pass over to dr hopkins. Sal will pass over to dr hopkins. So i think the first will pass over to dr hopkins. Sol think the first thing i would say is that these think the first thing i would say is that these cases think the first thing i would say is that these cases do think the first thing i would say is that these cases do not think the first thing i would say is that these cases do not appear. That these cases do not appear linked that these cases do not appear linked at that these cases do not appear linked at the that these cases do not appear linked at the moment. That these cases do not appear linked at the moment. They. That these cases do not appearl linked at the moment. They are that these cases do not appear. Linked at the moment. They are in quite linked at the moment. They are in quite separate linked at the moment. They are in quite separate parts linked at the moment. They are in quite separate parts of linked at the moment. They are in quite separate parts of the linked at the moment. They are in| quite separate parts of the country and more quite separate parts of the country and more likely quite separate parts of the country and more likely to quite separate parts of the country and more likely to be quite separate parts of the country and more likely to be related quite separate parts of the country and more likely to be related to i and more likely to be related to somebody and more likely to be related to somebody who and more likely to be related to somebody who potentially and more likely to be related to somebody who potentially had i and more likely to be related to| somebody who potentially had a Symptomatic Somebody who potentially had a symptomatic infection somebody who potentially had a symptomatic infection when somebody who potentially had a | symptomatic infection when they somebody who potentially had a symptomatic infection when they came in from symptomatic infection when they came in from abroad symptomatic infection when they came in from abroad. We symptomatic infection when they came in from abroad. We are symptomatic infection when they came in from abroad. We are looking symptomatic infection when they came in from abroad. We are looking to in from abroad. We are looking to find extra in from abroad. We are looking to find extra cases in from abroad. We are looking to find extra cases in in from abroad. We are looking to find extra cases in the community in from abroad. We are looking to. Find extra cases in the community to see where find extra cases in the community to see where we find extra cases in the community to see where we can find extra cases in the community to see where we can find find extra cases in the community to see where we can find links find extra cases in the community to see where we can find links and find extra cases in the community to see where we can find links and to l see where we can find links and to try and see where we can find links and to try and close see where we can find links and to try and close down see where we can find links and to try and close down and see where we can find links and to try and close down and eliminate i see where we can find links and to i try and close down and eliminate the Transmission Try and close down and eliminate the transmission between try and close down and eliminate the transmission between people. Try and close down and eliminate the transmission between people. I try and close down and eliminate the| transmission between people. I think it is really transmission between people. I think it is really important transmission between people. I think it is really important to transmission between people. I think it is really important to also transmission between people. I think it is really important to also add, it is really important to also add, that with it is really important to also add, that with the it is really important to also add, that with the r it is really important to also add, that with the r value it is really important to also add, that with the r value just it is really important to also add, that with the r value just below. That with the r value just below one, that with the r value just below one. As that with the r value just below one. As it that with the r value just below one. As it is that with the r value just below one, as it is in that with the r value just below one, as it is in the that with the r value just below one, as it is in the vast that with the r value just belowj one, as it is in the vast majority of the one, as it is in the vast majority of the country. One, as it is in the vast majority of the country, we one, as it is in the vast majority of the country, we can one, as it is in the vast majority of the country, we can reduce. One, as it is in the vast majority of the country, we can reduce these cases of the country, we can reduce these cases of of the country, we can reduce these cases of the of the country, we can reduce these cases of the new of the country, we can reduce these cases of the new variant of the country, we can reduce these cases of the new variant and, of the country, we can reduce these cases of the new variant and, along | cases of the new variant and, along with additional cases of the new variant and, along with additional testing cases of the new variant and, along with additional testing and cases of the new variant and, along with additional testing and people i with additional testing and people taking with additional testing and people taking even with additional testing and people taking even more with additional testing and people taking even more control with additional testing and people taking even more control than with additional testing and peoplei taking even more control than they are normally, taking even more control than they are normally, then taking even more control than they are normally, then this taking even more control than they are normally, then this will taking even more control than they are normally, then this will all are normally, then this will all help are normally, then this will all help us are normally, then this will all help us do that. In are normally, then this will all help us do that. In terms are normally, then this will all help us do that. In terms of i are normally, then this will all. Help us do that. In terms of the tweaked help us do that. In terms of the tweaked vaccine, help us do that. In terms of the tweaked vaccine, we help us do that. In terms of the tweaked vaccine, we are help us do that. In terms of the i tweaked vaccine, we are already working tweaked vaccine, we are already working and tweaked vaccine, we are already working and looking tweaked vaccine, we are already working and looking at tweaked vaccine, we are already working and looking at that, tweaked vaccine, we are already working and looking at that, looking at what working and looking at that, looking at what mutations working and looking at that, looking at what mutations are working and looking at that, looking at what mutations are particularly. At what mutations are particularly common at what mutations are particularly common that at what mutations are particularly common that might at what mutations are particularly common that might be at what mutations are particularly common that might be needed i at what mutations are particularly common that might be needed toj at what mutations are particularly common that might be needed to put into a common that might be needed to put into a tweet common that might be needed to put into a tweet vaccine. Common that might be needed to put into a tweet vaccine. It common that might be needed to put into a tweet vaccine. It is common that might be needed to put into a tweet vaccine. It is unlikely into a tweet vaccine. It is unlikely that people into a tweet vaccine. It is unlikely that people would into a tweet vaccine. It is unlikely that people would have into a tweet vaccine. It is unlikely that people would have to into a tweet vaccine. It is unlikely that people would have to start. That people would have to start again. That people would have to start again. Much that people would have to start again, much more that people would have to start again, much more likely that people would have to start again, much more likely that. That people would have to start again, much more likely that it| again, much more likely that it would again, much more likely that it would be again, much more likely that it would be a again, much more likely that it would be a booster again, much more likely that it would be a booster shot, again, much more likely that it would be a booster shot, more again, much more likely that it would be a booster shot, more like the annual would be a booster shot, more like the annual flu would be a booster shot, more like the annual flu vaccine. Would be a booster shot, more like the annual flu vaccine. Final the annual flu vaccine. Final question the annual flu vaccine. Final question is the annual flu vaccine. Final question is from the annual flu vaccine. Final question is from jonathan i the annual flu vaccine. question is from Jonathan Walker from the Birmingham Mail and newcastle chronicle. The north of england seems to be doing the north of england seems to be doing well in terms of rolling out the vaccine. There had been suggestions that areas fastest to vaccinate suggestions that areas fastest to vaccinate may face cuts to help other vaccinate may face cuts to help other areas catch up. It said the case other areas catch up. It said the case and other areas catch up. It said the case and what proportion is due to id case and what proportion is due to go to case and what proportion is due to go to the case and what proportion is due to go to the north east in february and march . Go to the north east in february and march . I go to the north east in february and march . I would like to ask doctor hopkins march . I would like to ask doctor hopkins or march . I would like to ask doctor hopkins or professor powis about the south hopkins or professor powis about the South African variant. Is it more infectious South African variant. Is it more infectious and more likely to cause serious infectious and more likely to cause serious illness and how concerned should serious illness and how concerned should People Living in the areas identified today be about their own health identified today be about their own health and welfare . I� m identified today be about their own health and welfare . Health and welfare . Im very crateful health and welfare . Im very grateful to health and welfare . Im very grateful to you health and welfare . Im very grateful to you for health and welfare . Im very grateful to you for asking health and welfare . Im very| grateful to you for asking this question because i want to put to bed a myth that has been circulating online in some cases about the fair share of vaccines. The north east is getting its fair share of vaccine, birmingham and the midlands is getting its fair share of vaccine, the northwest the same and we are making sure the vaccine to all parts of the country and in fact all parts of the country and in fact all parts of the country and in fact all parts of the whole country including all the devolved areas and making sure that happens on a fair basis according to need. The north of england has done absolutely brilliantly in the vaccine rollout. The north east was the fastest out of the blocks, the north west is going great guns as well and im really grateful to everyone working so hard. As you know there is a bumpy supply schedule for the whole country and if you look on coronavirus that glove. Uk and click on the link to vaccinations you can see across the country there are some days when we do ever have a million vaccines and other days when we do 200, 300,000 million vaccines and other days when we do 200,300,000 vaccines. This is according to supply across the country as a whole. And so if your area has a few days where supply is lower than it has been then that is because of the supply available nationally and the goal is to get the supply in and then out as quickly as feasibly possible. I think the nhs are doing a brilliant job of that and doing a brilliant job of that and doing a brilliant job of that and doing a brilliant job of it in newcastle and making sure people get protected. We have to make sure theres a fair share everyone and we will do that. In to make sure theres a fair share everyone and we will do that. In the South African everyone and we will do that. In the South African variant everyone and we will do that. In the South African variant we everyone and we will do that. In the South African variant we know everyone and we will do that. In the South African variant we know it everyone and we will do that. In the South African variant we know it is i South African variant we know it is similar South African variant we know it is similar in South African variant we know it is similar in transmissibility to the variant similar in transmissibility to the variant that we are now seeing almost variant that we are now seeing almost endemic in the uk, the variant almost endemic in the uk, the variant that first arose in kent. So we want variant that first arose in kent. So we want to variant that first arose in kent. So we want to reduce the transmission of it by we want to reduce the transmission of it by the we want to reduce the transmission of it by the same measures that we have in of it by the same measures that we have in place. We do not have evidence have in place. We do not have evidence that it is causing more severe evidence that it is causing more severe disease than the variance circulating severe disease than the variance circulating in the uk but what we know circulating in the uk but what we know is circulating in the uk but what we know is it circulating in the uk but what we know is it has slightly more mutations in the part of the protein. Mutations in the part of the protein, the spike protein and that is causing protein, the spike protein and that is causing it perhaps to have diminished effectiveness to vaccine but still diminished effectiveness to vaccine but still very good and we want to prevent but still very good and we want to prevent that spreading because what we want prevent that spreading because what we want to do is prevent viruses with we want to do is prevent viruses with mutations being able to acquire more with mutations being able to acquire more mutations as they will deliver time~ more mutations as they will deliver time so more mutations as they will deliver time. So everything we can do to reduce time. So everything we can do to reduce the time. So everything we can do to reduce the spread of this variant and detect cases with it and break the chains and detect cases with it and break the chains of transmission are essential the chains of transmission are essential the chains of transmission are essential. ,. ,. Essential. Thank you very much, jonathan essential. Thank you very much, jonathan. The essential. Thank you very much, jonathan. The only essential. Thank you very much, jonathan. The only thing essential. Thank you very much, jonathan. The only thing i essential. Thank you very much, jonathan. The only thing i want l essential. Thank you very much, l jonathan. The only thing i want to jonathan. The only thing i want to add is that for a0 years weve had the flu Vaccination Programme and every year the flu jab is updated to make sure that it is as effective as possible against new variants. So this is a standard part of what the nhs does every autumn to protect us against the flu. And i hope through this Vaccination Programme and then through the work that we are doing with the vaccines manufacturers and scientists that we will be able to get the coronavirus jab to the same place but it is something that people have a standard. During that means building that manufacturing capability onshore which is part of the task under way right now. It also means getting the science right exactly as doctor hopkins has set out. That is the goal here, there is a lot of work to do but in the meantime the Vaccination Programme is rolling out well and when the call comes please take the jab and for everyone, lets keep this under control by staying at home wherever possible and following hands, face, space because the basics are critical and everybody has a role to play. Thank you very much indeed and see you soon. Play. Thank you very much indeed and see you soon see you soon. Matt hancock living that latest briefing. See you soon. Matt hancock living that latest briefing. Lets see you soon. Matt hancock living that latest briefing. Lets take see you soon. Matt hancock living that latest briefing. Lets take you through some of the main points that came out of it. He said that all residents and staff in eligible care homes in england have been offered a first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Also a total out of 1. 2 Million People across the uk have been vaccinated. This weekend alone he said one in 60 adults in the uk received the vaccine. Nine in ten of the over 80s have been vaccinated now as per the Prioritisation List. Matt hancock also confirmed 105 cases of the South African Variant Of Coronavirus have been identified in the uk. 11 of those do not seem to have any links to international travel. That is causing some concern for the government and he also stressed by there is no evidence of a new variant is any more severe he said that we must come down hard on it and we will. The Health Secretary said that certain areas across surrey, london, kent, hertfordshire icing enhanced testing and a clear message from matt hancock that it is absolutely vital that people in those affected areas minimise all social contacts. Nick triggle is with me now and clearly there is concern about these particular areas where the South African variant is but he was asked are you going to have additional restrictions in those areas to stop this new variant spreading and he said that the current lockdown measures would be enough for the time being. He current lockdown measures would be enough for the time being. Enough for the time being. He did sa it is enough for the time being. He did say it is not enough for the time being. He did say it is not going enough for the time being. He did say it is not going to enough for the time being. He did say it is not going to be say it is not going to be straightforward to cut the chains of transmission. I think there has been some asymptomatic spread in these areas because they cannot identify where it has come from or link it back to a person who has travelled to south africa. The other fear is that these cases have been identified because of the Genomic Sequencing that the uk does. We sequence between five and 10 of every case that tests positive so it is quite conceivable and in fact quite likely that there are more cases of the South African variant out there. So why are we trying to really tackle this when perhaps it seems very difficult . I think the ambition is, publicly they will say they are trying to contain it but if not then at least slow the spread because this variant whilst it is more transmissible, does not cause more transmissible, does not cause more serious illness however it does seem to make vaccines less effective. They still do something, a figure of 60 effectiveness was quoted there and when you compare that to 80, 90 effectiveness against the old original type then that illustrates it is still doing something less. So if they can slow the spread it will have quite a Significant Impact even if we do get some spread. Significant impact even if we do get some spread some spread. More good news on vaccines, some spread. More good news on vaccines. 92 some spread. More good news on vaccines, 9. 2 million some spread. More good news on vaccines, 9. 2 Million People some spread. More good news on vaccines, 9. 2 Million People now| vaccines, 9. 2 Million People now across the uk and an extraordinary figure of one in 60 of the population just vaccinated over the weekend and matt hancock also said they placed orders for a further ito million doses of valneva, another vaccine that has not yet got approval. So were going to end quite a lot more vaccines than we need . . , quite a lot more vaccines than we need . i . ,. , quite a lot more vaccines than we need . . ,. , need . Over 400 million doses by the looks of it. When need . Over 400 million doses by the looks of it. When the need . Over 400 million doses by the looks of it. When the uk need . Over 400 million doses by the looks of it. When the uk started looks of it. When the uk started planning for vaccination back in the spring they identified seven vaccines they wanted to invest in early. As it has turned out those seven vaccines, five of them have had positive trial results, three of them have subsequently been approved in the uk so we have backed the right vaccines. And therefore we are going to end up with a lot of vaccine to go around. What is interesting about the valneva vaccine is another ito million doses ordered on top of the 60 million already placed and this vaccine will not become available until 2022 at the earliest. It has not even gone to complete the Clinical Trials but i think what the uk has an eye on is we do not yet know how long immunity will last with the vaccines. It is conceivable that we will have to vaccinate next winter or early next year so we want to ensure there is no faxing there but the uk is also committed to sharing the vaccine round with countries who have not got access to lots of vaccine as well. So it could be we distribute this to some of the poorer countries in the globe. This to some of the poorer countries in the globe in the globe. Matt hancock also stressed that in the globe. Matt hancock also stressed that valneva in the globe. Matt hancock also stressed that valneva vaccine. In the globe. Matt hancock also i stressed that valneva vaccine will be made in scotland and just chatting and point it is for all these vaccines if they can be made in the uk, then so much the better. Lets get more from our Political Correspondent iain watson. Some good news on Vaccination Figures but many questions about the South African variant and whether the government, i suppose it is the latest test for them, if they need to crack down harder in these areas of england by the South African variant has been detected and currently they are sending in search testing to these areas. Ids, currently they are sending in search testing to these areas. Testing to these areas. A strong messa. E testing to these areas. A strong message from testing to these areas. A strong message from matt testing to these areas. A strong message from matt hancock testing to these areas. A strong message from matt hancock if i testing to these areas. A strong i message from matt hancock if you live in one of those areas, then you should not go out but you should take a test. Some of that will be door to door testing, some mobile percent is sent into those plus colours and he is trying to encourage people to take a test as quickly as possible and of course to isolate if they get a positive result. He said it is a stark reminder that the fight against the virus is not over and also that we need to come down hard on the virus in a areas. The question of course is how widespread is the South African variant and how much protection will be existing Vaccination Programme if people. Again we heard from Susan Hopkins that the vaccine has a diminished effect on the South African variant but is still very good. We should get more information on the astrazeneca vaccine and how it responds soon as next week. Nonetheless from the Government Point if you we may get more pressure to take tougher action with matt hancock sticking to the existing restrictions for the time being but it is interesting that tonight in the House Of Commons the labour party is instigating a debate on Border Security and their arguing for more widespread use of Hotel Quarantines notjust from high risk quarantines not just from high risk areas quarantines notjust from high risk areas like south africa and brazil and neighbouring areas but putting effectively into secure quarantine for ten days coming into the country from anywhere because we do not necessarily know where the next event is going to come from. So this is a health issue but could easily become a big political issue. Also interesting that people overall have not been impressed with some of the handling of the Coronavirus Crisis by the government but when it comes to the Vaccination Programme recent polls have showed around two thirds of voters think that Good Progress has been made and they are satisfied with that so it is essential for the government clinically and politically to make sure that is also a success. Matt hancock stressing that by the 15th Of February there is enough supply to ensure that all the vulnerable groups, the upper 70s and upwards will be offered a vaccine and that seems to be on course but as Boris Johnson said earlier today he hopes will not be thrown off course by these new variants. I think that is why there is a strong emphasis by matt hancock to People Living in those affected areas to take a test and stay at home. And stay at home. Good to talk to ou, and stay at home. Good to talk to you. Thank and stay at home. Good to talk to you. Thank you and stay at home. Good to talk to you, thank you. And and stay at home. Good to talk to you, thank you. And we and stay at home. Good to talk to you, thank you. And we can and stay at home. Good to talk to you, thank you. And we can get i and stay at home. Good to talk to you, thank you. And we can get more political reaction from liz kendall, the labour mp and shadow minister for social care. The labour mp and shadow minister forsocial care. Let the labour mp and shadow minister for social care. Let me ask you about the South African variant because that came up during the briefing. Matt hancock asked if there should be tough at lockdown measures in those areas of england where the new South African variant has been detected. What would you say about that . I has been detected. What would you say about that . Say about that . I certainly think that we need say about that . I certainly think that we need tougher say about that . I certainly think. That we need tougher restrictions say about that . I certainly think that we need tougher restrictions on people entering the country. I think your previous speaker said that we have a vote in the House Of Commons tonight and the labour party would like to see a far more comprehensive quarantine system right across all the Different Countries in the world and notjust the 33 that the Different Countries in the world and not just the 33 that the government proposes. I would also like to see the government sorting out the so called Isolation Assurance Service which is run by an outsourced company which is barely contacting anyone who has come into the country to check they are effectively quarantining. We are making Good Progress on much of the Vaccination Programme but that good work will be put at risk if people are coming into the country and not properly isolating and these new variants are starting to come in. There seems to be Community Transmission out of this South African variant in several parts of england. Matt hancock said that theyre putting in search testing in those areas but what about tougher restrictions . Over and above the current lockdown measures we have at the moment. I current lockdown measures we have at the moment the moment. I think the restrictions are re the moment. I think the restrictions are pretty tough the moment. I think the restrictions are pretty tough as the moment. I think the restrictions are pretty tough as it the moment. I think the restrictions are pretty tough as it is. The moment. I think the restrictions are pretty tough as it is. Not are pretty tough as it is. Not supposed to go out unless you have a proper reason to do so and youre not supposed to believe in your area. What we need to do is make sure that we have that profit test, trace and isolate system in place that people have got enough money to be able to afford to isolate so they do not feel that they have to go out to work because if not they cannot make ends meet and cannot put food on the table or pay their utility bills. The labour party has been calling for many months now for a proper system to be put in place so people can afford to self isolate. And we would support the government if they did take those measures. Lets talk about vaccinations, the government seems to be doing pretty well in terms of their vaccination target, 9. 2 million across england vaccinated and in care homes in england, eligible care homes, matt hancock announcing, in england, they have offered to all care home residents and staff. Would you congratulate the government for what they have done in terms of the Vaccination Programme . Look, after almost 23. 000 Vaccination Programme . Look, after almost 23,000 deaths Vaccination Programme . Look, after almost 23,000 deaths from Vaccination Programme . Look, after almost 23,000 deaths from covid i Vaccination Programme . Look, after almost 23,000 deaths from covid in care homes so far, it is good news that all care homes for elderly residents, not those with disabilities, that must happen next, but it is good they have been offered those vaccines. We are still hearing on some residents who havent actually had the vaccine, which is the crucial thing, but, in particular, im very worried, so many reports that the rates of vaccination amongst care home staff are nowhere near as good. We have had care home providers today saying that anywhere between 30 and half of their staff have not had the vaccine. It is really important that we actually get some figures on this, we havent seen those from the government, and have a Clear Strategy for increased take up amongst care home staff. Just strategy for increased takeup amongst care home staff. Just to be clear, that amongst care home staff. Just to be clear. That is amongst care home staff. Just to be clear, that is because amongst care home staff. Just to be clear, that is because staff amongst care home staff. Just to be clear, that is because staff dont clear, that is because staff dont always want to have the vaccination. Some of it is due to staff not wanting to have the vaccination but we have to understand why, we have to deal with some of the myths and, quite frankly, lies that are being put out about the vaccine. In my own constituency, we are working very hard to try and dispel the myths around the vaccine, particularly in black and ethnic minority communities and the government needs to get this right, because it is not just the care home staff who need vaccinating. We have got over 700,000 home care staff that need to be vaccinated, vital care workers who go into peoples own homes. We have got to do all of those by mid february, along with over 200,000 other Community Care workers, so the government has got to focus on this. Why arent staff taking the vaccine up . What can i do to dispel the myths . What can i do to dispel the myths . What can i do to make it easierfor care to dispel the myths . What can i do to make it easier for care workers to make it easier for care workers to actually get care workers in and get those jabs . Because we still have a million to go of those care home care workers before mid february. The government has got to be laser focused on this and leave no stone unturned, because, as you know, we are in a race against time to save peoples lives. And a lot of talk about, once the government has hit its targets on vaccination and so on, about when restrictions could be lifted. The Prime Minister restrictions could be lifted. The Prime Minister has been asked about when people can book Summer Holidays and so on. What is the labour partys a you on that . And so on. What is the labour partys a you on that . Well, we have a lont wa partys a you on that . Well, we have a long way to partys a you on that . Well, we have a long way to go partys a you on that . Well, we have a long way to go yet partys a you on that . Well, we have a long way to go yet before partys a you on that . Well, we have a long way to go yet before we partys a you on that . Well, we have a long way to go yet before we have | a long way to go yet before we have really got this virus under control. The figures of numbers of people still in hospital, the numbers of deaths we are seeing, notjust in care homes but more broadly. I certainly think we want to see schools back as soon as possible. You will know we have proposed vaccinating all teachers and, actually, if you look at the vaccination rate that matt hancock announced, 900,000 in a day, that means you could do all teachers in one day and i think if we could get teachers vaccinated, get children back to school, that would be the best thing for them. But back to school, that would be the best thing for them. Best thing for them. But if you are ttoin best thing for them. But if you are going to best thing for them. But if you are going to vaccinate best thing for them. But if you are going to vaccinate all best thing for them. But if you i are going to vaccinate all teachers, which age groups which are currently on the priority list would you take off that list to make way for teachers . Off that list to make way for teachers . ~. ,. , teachers . We have said that should be a priority teachers . We have said that should be a priority once teachers . We have said that should be a priority once we teachers . We have said that should be a priority once we have teachers . We have said that should be a priority once we have got teachers . We have said that should be a priority once we have got the i be a priority once we have got the most vulnerable, these top four categories, vaccinated and i think it was very interesting that simon stephens, the head of the nhs, also said that thejcvi stephens, the head of the nhs, also said that the jcvi need stephens, the head of the nhs, also said that thejcvi need to look at the Prioritisation List once those Priority Groups have been done. I mean, the impact on childrens life chances, the stresses and strains that parents are under, trying to home school, i think, makes a very strong case that teachers should be a priority once those vulnerable groups are done, but we all know it is too early to beat talking about taking our foot off the pedal here. We have still seen too many Infection Rates in care homes and Hospital Admissions. We have got a long way to go. The Vaccination Programme needs to keep pace and, in particular, i would say the government must look at this issue of the reluctance of some care workers to get the vaccine, because we will not keep, notjust elderly people, but disabled people save unless we make sure all care workers are properly vaccinated. Are properly vaccinated. Thank you for beint are properly vaccinated. Thank you for being with are properly vaccinated. Thank you for being with us are properly vaccinated. Thank you for being with us on are properly vaccinated. Thank you for being with us on bbc are properly vaccinated. Thank you for being with us on bbc news,. Are properly vaccinated. Thank you | for being with us on bbc news, that is liz kendall, labour mp and shadow ministerfor is liz kendall, labour mp and shadow minister for social care. As we were just discussing there, the press briefing in Downing Street was dominated by questions to matt hancock about the South African Variant Of Coronavirus. Earlier, we heard more about it from professor lawrence jung, heard more about it from professor lawrencejung, virologist heard more about it from professor lawrence jung, virologist and professor of molecular oncology who explained more about the variant. We know that these variants are spread everywhere rapidly, so at one level, it is not surprising that so called South African variant is with us and likely to be with a reasonable number of people. We have heard that the vaccine is relatively efficient at reducing disease, but thatis efficient at reducing disease, but that is early data and there are some concerns that, even though 60 of vaccine efficiency sounds good, it is not quite as good as 90 and it might mean that we need to rethink some of the vaccines. The point about all of these viruses, these variants, whatever they are, they are all spread in the same way, so the controls on transmission, reducing person to person contact, testing, tracing and isolating, will restrict the spread of this virus, so i guess that is what we are hearing about today. The spike is important for two main reasons. One, it is the bit of the virus that sticks to ourselves and we know the change that has occurred in the uk variant, which is actually identical to one of the changes in the South African variant in that spike protein, makes the virus more sticky and the stickiness increases the possibility for the virus to infect, thatis possibility for the virus to infect, that is why the virus is more transmissible. The worry is the South African variant has another change and this spike protein forms the basis of all the vaccines, it is the basis of all the vaccines, it is the process to which the bodys immune most effective and produces these very important blocking or neutralising antibodies, and there is a change in the South African that seems to render the South African variant� s spike protein a little less sensitive, shall we say, to immune protection. The main issue here is about reinfection. We know for this and certainly other coronaviruses, immune responses wane after a period of time and you can get reinfection. That reinfection is usually not associated with symptoms, but you can still be infected, you still transmit the virus, so there is an issue here about how we roll out the vaccine as quickly as possible. The more the virus is allowed to spread, the more chances we have of the virus evolving, regenerating new variants that might create challenges for us in terms of immunology, so we can still stamp out this virus with the existing vaccine, but we might also need to think about next year, when we will probably need to reconfigure the current vaccines. The current vaccines. Professor yount. The current vaccines. Professor young. British the current vaccines. Professor young. British skiers the current vaccines. Professor young. British skiers are the current vaccines. Professorl young. British skiers are among the current vaccines. Professor young. British skiers are among 96 people who have been fine for breaking lockdown restrictions in austria. Austria imposed strict restrictions to try to discourage visitors to the slopes. Police said the people find included british citizens, romanians, australians. They are currently in quarantine and face fines of around £2000. Messages of support have come in for captain sir tom moore whos in hospital with coronavirus. The 100 year old Second World War veteran, who raised nearly £33 million for the nhs during the first lockdown, was admitted yesterday because he needed help with his breathing. The United States suffered more covid 19 deaths injanuary the United States suffered more covid 19 deaths in january than the United States suffered more covid 19 deaths injanuary than any other month. Officials at the centre for Disease Control said there were 90,000 deaths in the first month of the year. The United States is the worst affected country in the pandemic, with 441,331 deaths since it began. Lets give you a reminder of what we have been hearing from the Health Secretary this afternoon, matt hancock, at todays Downing Street briefing. Another area where we are helping Around The World is in spotting new variants. And our Global Leadership in Genomic Sequencing has helped us to spot new variants here in the uk and quickly alert the rest of the world, but there are other countries that dont have the capacity that they need. Last week, we offered our capacity and expertise to other nations through our new variant assessment platform, because a mutation in one part of the world is a threat to people everywhere. For example, our South African colleagues spotted a new variant through their high quality Genomic Sequencing and rightly notified the world, as we did with the variant that we discovered here in the uk. Weve now identified 105 cases of this variant here. 11 of those cases dont appear to have any links to international travel. There is currently no evidence to suggest this variant is any more severe, but we need to come down on it hard and we will. We have already made sure that all these cases are isolating and that weve done enhanced Contact Tracing of all of their close contacts. We are surging extra testing into the areas where this variant has been found and sequencing every single positive case. Working with local authorities, we are going door to door to test people in the local area. These cases have been identified in the following postcodes. W7, n17, cr4, wsz, me15, enio, gu21 and pr9. If you live in one of these postcodes, where we are sending in enhanced testing, then it is imperative that you stay at home and that you get a test, even if you dont have symptoms. Good afternoon. The picture behind me tells the tale of what is due this week more snow issues with likely disruption. It will be a little less cold at times in the south, its more likely well have rain here. But, already, the day is bringing a little hill snow across northern ireland, a few showers in the cold air across scotland. Weve got that battle with the ongoing mild atlantic air trying to push in and meeting that cold polar air. And it never really relinquishes its grip, that cold polar air. Hence the snow showers across scotland today, a little bit of wintriness across the antrim hills, for example, and already the next weather front is waiting in the wings. But, underneath all this cloud in the south, even though temperatures are five or six, it feels chilly out there. It is drier than yesterday, yes, and we do have some sunshine breaking through, west wales, across northern england, scotland, away from the showers as well. But, through this evening and overnight, its all change. The rain gets heavier and it will mostly be rain in the south but it comes across that cold air system. Temporary snow for wales, more likely to linger for the midlands and east anglia for a few hours, even at low levels and certainly so for northern england, southern and central scotland, the hills of northern ireland, but low levels through southern central scotland, northern england, will see a few centimetres building up. It will be treacherously icy as well, with temperatures close to freezing and snow is reluctant to ease through the day tomorrow, so even the Central Lowlands will see that snow building up. Its going to be quite nasty for travelling. In the south, behind it, milderair. Yes, sunny spells, but some heavy showers with some hail and some thunder coming through, eventually pushing into northern ireland. So quite a contrast between where weve got that cold, wintry weather in the north and that milder, very showery weather in the south and thats all around this area of low pressure. That sticks with us into wednesday but, in the south, weve got the potentialfor more rain to push its way across southern areas. Now, at this stage, its going to be difficult to get the detail, but you can see clearly, once again, central and southern parts of scotland, the far north of england, are seeing more snow, away from the coast, that is. Strong wind blowing that snow around and eventually we will see the rain moving out the way in the south, and it remains relatively mild, but we already have, and we still have, i should say, numerous flood warnings in force following recent weeks of rain and, with more rain to come, thats not good news. You can find out all the weather warnings from the website. To try to stop the spread of the new south Africa Coronavirus variant. Specfic areas are being targeted after cases are detected 11 of which have no known connection to south africa. If you live in one of these postcodes, where we are sending in enhanced testing, then it is imperative that you stay at home and that you get a test, even if you dont have symptoms. Vaccination day, come on . Meanwhile, celebrations as all residents in eligible care homes have been offered vaccinations, though not yet all care staff. Well be looking at the new South African variant and what impact it