this is bbc news with the latest headlines: scientists tracking coronavirus infection rates in england say they're concerned the virus is not slowing fast enough — with only a slight decline in the past week. the prime minister prepares to visit scotland amid demands for another independence referendum. nicola sturgeon questions if the trip is essential but ministers insist it's to thank front—line workers. there are 80 new vaccination centres that are opening in scotland as a result of the british army efforts. i think it's only right the prime minister goes to the front line, learns from those who are responsible for the vaccine roll—out... the eu and astrazeneca pledge to work together to resolve a bitter row over vaccine supply shortages — but the eu is still demanding

thatjabs produced in the uk are diverted to europe. if you'd like to get in touch about that or any of the stories we're covering today, you can contact me on twitter @annita—mcveigh #bbcyourquestions. we will try to read out some of your comments. probing the origins of the pandemic. experts from the world health organization come out of quarantine in china, with a chance to start face to face meetings in wuhan. operatic singing and coming up this hour: the healing power of music. how singing can help people struggling with the after effects of coronavirus. hello, good morning and welcome to

bbc news. scientists tracking the spread of coronavirus in england say they are concerned the virus is not slowing fast enough, despite the continued fall in the number of positive lab—confirmed cases. the latest data from imperial college london's react study shows a slight decline in infection levels. swab tests taken from 168,000 volunteers between 6th and 22nd january suggest that 1.57% or one in 64 people had covid during the first two weeks of the lockdown. the data shows a varied picture across england — london had the highest proportion of positive tests where 2.8% of people had the virus. numbers are even higher in younger people across the capital with 4% of people aged between 13 to 17 and 18 to 2a testing positive. the prime minister said yesterday that there is not enough data available yet to decide when it will be possible to end england's lockdown. borisjohnson promised ministers would lay out a road map for lifting

restrictions towards the end of next month. paul elliott is professor of epidemiology and public health medicine at imperial college london and director of the react programme. hejoins us now. professor he joins us now. professor elliott, thank you for your time, bringing us up—to—date with the latest data you have. two issues. as we have mentioned, obviously, infections are levelling off a bit but at a very high level and they are not coming down as quickly as they did in the first lockdown, are they?- first lockdown, are they? that's correct. first lockdown, are they? that's correct as _ first lockdown, are they? that's correct. as you _ first lockdown, are they? that's correct. as you say, _ first lockdown, are they? that's correct. as you say, in - first lockdown, are they? that's correct. as you say, in the - first lockdown, are they? that's correct. as you say, in the first| correct. as you say, in the first ten days of our study, we were actually seeing a very flat picture. it has now started to come down, which is good news, but by no means fast enough and certainly not as fast enough and certainly not as fast as it came down in the first lockdown. fast as it came down in the first lockdown-_ fast as it came down in the first lockdown. �* , ., . ., , fast as it came down in the first lockdown. �* ., ., , ., ., lockdown. are you gathering any data on wh , lockdown. are you gathering any data on why. making _ lockdown. are you gathering any data on why. making any _ lockdown. are you gathering any data on why, making any suppositions - lockdown. are you gathering any data on why, making any suppositions on i

on why, making any suppositions on why that is the case? we on why, making any suppositions on why that is the case?— why that is the case? we do collect a lot of information _ why that is the case? we do collect a lot of information from _ why that is the case? we do collect a lot of information from people. . a lot of information from people. so, not only do people produce a swab for us, but we ask them various questions and we see things such as large households, there is a higher prevalence amongst minority ethnic groups. again, a higher prevalence. and also in more deprived areas. so, there are some hints that the sort of people who we know have been more badly affected by the virus, that does come through in our data. but we also seeing differences in regional patterns. very, very high levels, as you say, in london, which is putting tremendous pressure on the nhs london. but it seems to be coming down in london, the south east and the south—west. whereas, in other parts of england, it is pretty flat or even going up in some parts. interesting. talk to us about the prevalence of the virus amongst

younger age groups, specially 18-245. what younger age groups, specially 18—24s. what is going on there? are they less worried about the virus? are they not sticking to the restrictions as much as other age groups? we restrictions as much as other age arou s? ~ ., , restrictions as much as other age ”mus? . ., , ., , groups? we have seen fairly consistently _ groups? we have seen fairly consistently across - groups? we have seen fairly consistently across our - groups? we have seen fairly - consistently across our different surveys, we carry out our survey every month, that the rates particularly in the 18—24 year old group have been high and they remain the highest. and then what happens is that we see a spread out to the other age groups. for example, is that we see a spread out to the otherage groups. for example, in london, you mentioned 4%, one in 25 people are testing positive for the virus. i should stress this is not just people with symptoms but a random sample of the population, whether they are reporting symptoms. many of these people do not know they have the virus and potentially could transmit the virus, which is why the public health message is so important. social distancing, where a facemask, hand washing and if you

have symptoms, you should get tested and if you test positive, you should isolate. —— wearing a face covering. this is incredibly relevant when we look at what the prime minister talked about yesterday, talking about schools beginning to reopen more fully. they already have some children but reopened two more pupils potentially from the 8th of march. —— reopening to more pupils. no one wants to be in lockdown but the prevalence is so high that the pressure on the health service is so high that it is really important we get these rates down as quickly as we possibly can. we got a hint in the last seven days that things are now moving in the right direction but not fast enough. we just have to do more. as individuals, we have to pay attention to the public health advice about social distancing and so forth. but also, if we don't need to go to work, we should work from home for example. i

to go to work, we should work from home for example.— to go to work, we should work from home for example. i think everyone would agree- _ home for example. i think everyone would agree. certainly, _ home for example. i think everyone | would agree. certainly, anecdotally, from lots of conversations i have been having, everyone thinks it is a lot busier in this lockdown than it was in the original lockdown. i want to get your thoughts before you go about something that sir patrick vallance said yesterday at the downing street briefing. "if we don't get this level of active efficacy of vaccines impact on transmission but there is not data to say exactly what that is, would you expect to see that coming through in your data in future react surveys? through in your data in future react surve s? , , . ., surveys? definitely. we are collecting — surveys? definitely. we are collecting information - surveys? definitely. we are collecting information on i surveys? definitely. we are i collecting information on who surveys? definitely. we are - collecting information on who has been vaccinated, what vaccine they have had, when they had the vaccine. we will be very closely monitoring the effect on the virus prevalence transmission through our data in the coming months. {lilia transmission through our data in the coming months-_ coming months. 0k, well, it will be really interesting _ coming months. 0k, well, it will be really interesting to _ coming months. 0k, well, it will be really interesting to see _ coming months. 0k, well, it will be really interesting to see what - coming months. 0k, well, it will be| really interesting to see what shows up really interesting to see what shows up and hopefully you will come back to tell us about that professor paul

elliott, director of the react in london. the prime minister will visit scotland later, where he's expected to stress the benefits of uk—wide co—operation during the pandemic. however, scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has criticised the trip, questioning whether it's an essentialjourney. 0ur political correspondent, nick eardley, has the story. booing. this is borisjohnson visiting nicola sturgeon in 2019, just after he became prime minister. but they won't be shaking hands today. with travel banned, miss sturgeon has questioned whether the visit is essential. downing street says it is. the prime minister intends to make the case for scotland remaining in the uk. he believes the pandemic shows the benefits of cooperation, pointing to funding for public services, the uk wide furlough scheme and the vaccine, bought by the uk government and distributed by the scottish government. the snp, though, say the government in london is panicking. a series of polls over the last six months

suggest support for independence is now higher than support for the uk. when scotland goes to the polls in may, the snp will put independence front and centre. if they win, which looks likely, they'll demand another referendum. london plans to say no, but the debate over independence isn't going away. and some believe that blocking another referendum will only make it more popular. nick eardley, bbc news. let's get more from our chief political correspondent, adam fleming. good morning, adam. questions raised by nicola sturgeon about whether this is an essentialjourney, as nick mentioned, the true purpose of the visit. michael gove was asked whether he thought borisjohnson was actually an asset in scotland, an interesting question!— actually an asset in scotland, an interesting question! yeah, whisper it because even _ interesting question! yeah, whisper it because even some _ interesting question! yeah, whisper it because even some of— interesting question! yeah, whisper it because even some of the - interesting question! yeah, whisper it because even some of the people j it because even some of the people on the same side as the prime minister when it comes to the debate about the union are not super enthusiastic about him being there, because he is not necessarily super popular north of the border. at least that is some people's

assessment. nicola sturgeon saying he is not welcome there is a bit of health but also a big dose of politics, as well. the prime minister is mixing health and politics today, too, because he will go and reiterate his message that the union is good for scotland. because it helps them deal with the coronavirus crisis. he will point to the fact that the furlough scheme is very expensive and can only be afforded because of the uk as a whole. he will point to the vaccine roll—out, a vaccine developed at an english university, procured by the british government for the whole of the uk, with logistics supported by the uk, with logistics supported by the british army. as you mention, michael gove, the cabinet office minister, was defending the trip, saying the prime minister has to go and see people and be seen. he is a huge asset. the vaccine programme that we're rolling out at the moment is only possible because of the prime minister's leadership. we are the country leading europe, leading the world both in the development of vaccines

and in the roll—out of vaccines, and that is a direct result of decisions that the prime minister took. and, as i say, it's the oxford astrazeneca vaccine, the british army, which are responsible for that. it's the prime minister who made those decisions and it's also the prime minister working with the chancellor, rishi sunak, who made the decisions about economic support that is providing for firms and companies in scotland the chance to make sure that people are still in work. that's absolutely vital, that economic support and it comes from the broad shoulders of the uk treasury. also, adam, we are expecting ministers to make more decisions today about the hotel quarantine policy, aren't we, what can you tell us about that?— policy, aren't we, what can you tell us about that? that information came from michael — us about that? that information came from michael gove _ us about that? that information came from michael gove in _ us about that? that information came from michael gove in an _ us about that? that information came from michael gove in an interview - us about that? that information came from michael gove in an interview on | from michael gove in an interview on radio four this morning. he says ministers will meet later today to look at what they call the red list, the current list of 30 countries where trouble from them to the uk is banned apart from british nationals

or people with british residency who in the very near future will have to do their ten days of quarantine in a hotel near the airport rather than doing it at home as was announced by the home secretary yesterday. i hear that list may have some countries added to it today. although government sources say it is still very much about areas where there are concerns about new variants of rotations of the virus, not about countries where there are high levels of cases. i am also told it is part of a new fast track process —— mutations of the virus. 0bsessing that list. thejoint —— mutations of the virus. 0bsessing that list. the joint virus centre and ministers will act much more quickly than when they did when they were making decisions about the old travel corridors, for example. there is a unique element to that, because the first minister, nicola sturgeon, said the current system or the new system, isn't going to be, hence have enough, may be adding a few extra countries to the red list will assuage her concerns. michael gove said to be discussed by ministers to todayis said to be discussed by ministers to today is the timetable for the new

quarantine process because we don't even know when it will come in. it could be a couple of weeks to get the logistics in place. we might get some news in the next few days about what are the exemptions that british people will be able to quote to travel abroad. people will be able to quote to travelabroad. because people will be able to quote to travel abroad. because one of the other thing is the home secretary announced yesterday, alongside the hotel quarantine stuff, was that there will now be a form that british travellers will have to fill in and show to the airlines and potentially show to the police at the airport or at the ferry or at the airport or at the ferry or at the eurostar and it will have to have a valid reason on it before you can get on the plane, the train or the boat. �* . can get on the plane, the train or the boat. ~ . ., ~ , ., can get on the plane, the train or the boat. �* . . ~' , ., , the boat. 0k, adam, thank you very much. the boat. 0k, adam, thank you very much- adam — the boat. 0k, adam, thank you very much. adam fleming _ the boat. 0k, adam, thank you very much. adam fleming in _ the boat. 0k, adam, thank you very i much. adam fleming in westminster. the european union and astrazeneca have promised to work together, following their public falling out over coronavirus vaccine supplies. both sides described a meeting yesterday as constructive. although the eu said it regrets the continued lack of clarity over the delivery schedule. the row erupted over a shortfall of around 50 million doses that astrazeneca put down

to manufacturing issues. senior eu officials had said the drug company was not honouring its contract and should do so by supplying vaccines from its british factories. mark lobel reports. the eu's roll—out of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine it hopes to approve on friday is already in doubt. the bloc is fuming after suggestions it may only get around a third of it expects. a third of what it expects. pharmaceutical companies, vaccine developers, have moral, societal and contractual responsibilities, which they need to uphold. astrazeneca has reported production delays in the netherlands and belgium. the eu says these unaffected production sites in the uk should provide the shortfall. the uk factories are part of our advanced purchase agreements and that is why they have to deliver. but astrazeneca has other customers, too, including the uk. they could be affected in a tit—for—tat threat dabbed vaccine nationalism. dubbed vaccine nationalism.

if the eu restricts exports of other vaccines made within the bloc to deal with the shortfall. we're very confident with our supplies, we're very confident in our contracts, and we are going ahead on that basis. astrazeneca denies eu claims it's backtracking on its commitments in order to sell its vaccines for profit elsewhere. but, as this bitter row grows, the eu wants its contract with astrazeneca, which the pharmaceutical company says was signed three months after the uk agreed theirs, to be made public. it may be that the uk has got - favourable contractual terms and, actually, you know, has benefited from being first in line. _ and, actually, - the eu has more ofa... as we've heard, a sort - of " reasonable endeavours" clause in the contract - on the part of astrazeneca such that it's not in such a i tight contractual mechanism.

but, as eu countries suffer delays with other vaccines, the eu's health commissioner says this current row should not come down to first come first served, saying that logic may work in the butcher's shop, but not for these contracts. both sides agreed joint talks on wednesday were constructive and they committed to finding a clearer delivery plan together. mark lobel, bbc news. 0ur europe correspondent, gavin lee is in brussels. good morning, gavin. this time yesterday you were telling me about the real sense of anger over this situation and then a little later in the morning, we had that astrazeneca had pulled out of a meeting with eu officials. by last night, there was some constructive talks going on, so where are we, this morning? i some constructive talks going on, so where are we, this morning?- where are we, this morning? i think it's a little bit _ where are we, this morning? i think it's a little bit more _ where are we, this morning? i think it's a little bit more cordial - where are we, this morning? i think it's a little bit more cordial than - it's a little bit more cordial than it's a little bit more cordial than it was before. i think some of that disapproval, some of that astonishment and anger particularly at the interview that the chief executive of astrazeneca had done with the italian newspaper saying we

had a best effort contract but we never signed a particular contract on exact numbers in the first quarter of the year, which we understand is 100 million doses of the vaccine before the end of march. what the officials told us is that they are expecting about a quarter of that. we are looking at a shortfall of up to 75 million doses that the eu wants. perhaps these more cordial relations and they are professionally saying they will find a solution to but it means astrazeneca has to find from somewhere else that shortfall come up somewhere else that shortfall come up to 75 million. the eu was to be dating that in the contract they have got, which they want to be published and made transparent because different views on how the contract works, they say the two primary sites for production in the eu are in the uk, not here in belgium and the netherlands, they are secondary sites. that is where the shortfall must be made up from. they also point out that back in

december when the uk had problems with astrazeneca and similar teething problems, what happened was that it was he in the netherlands and belgium where they used 4 million doses to supply uk patients for the covert vaccine virus vaccine —— covid vaccine. it says that it should be coming the other way, too. they are looking for that quid pro quo for the help earlier? we don't know the exact details of the contract, the eu is still asking astrazeneca to publish the contract and effectively override confidentiality clauses, i suppose. do we know if there was any sort of guarantee in that contract that doses would come from the british factories? ., doses would come from the british factories? . ., , , factories? yeah, i mean, this is the crux of the- -- _ factories? yeah, i mean, this is the crux of the. .. the _ factories? yeah, i mean, this is the crux of the. .. the heart _ factories? yeah, i mean, this is the crux of the. .. the heart of - factories? yeah, i mean, this is the crux of the. .. the heart of the - crux of the... the heart of the whole thing. this is why the health commissioner yesterday was so angry. it was an impromptu press conference. it was suddenly set up because they were unhappy with the interview, the words that the uk had

had that in three months before, the order. go back to may last year, august last year when the eu's order came in and astrazeneca have said that they said to the eu it is a long time to make up. eu officials wanted the rolled up to be the same time, to play catch up. that is why stella said this is not a butcher's shop to say first come first served, we signed a contract and pay 300 million, they say they paid about 300,000 to improve the uk facilities. therefore, you say you deliver what we paid for. it is theirjob to find it. let's face it, this is still a difficult situation that has not gone away. somebody has to lose out. unless, suddenly, there is a yield, a production that starts to increase in belgium or the netherlands.— to increase in belgium or the netherlands. a ., netherlands. michael gove saying this morning. _ netherlands. michael gove saying this morning, there _ netherlands. michael gove saying this morning, there will— netherlands. michael gove saying this morning, there will be - netherlands. michael gove saying this morning, there will be no - this morning, there will be no interruption to the uk supply and vaccination schedule. whether that suggests the uk government wouldn't

countenance anything with regards to the demand that astrazeneca move vaccines to the eu. speaking of eggs and baskets, how important are these az vaccines to the europeans, the vaccination plan, surely it has ordered doses from other manufacturers, hasn't it? this ordered doses from other manufacturers, hasn't it? this is a aood manufacturers, hasn't it? this is a good point. _ manufacturers, hasn't it? this is a good point. yes. _ manufacturers, hasn't it? this is a good point. yes. it _ manufacturers, hasn't it? this is a good point, yes, it has. _ manufacturers, hasn't it? this is a good point, yes, it has. pfizer- manufacturers, hasn't it? this is a good point, yes, it has. pfizer has| good point, yes, it has. pfizer has been the main and only manufacturer that has actually been in circulation. modernity has recently got regulated as well, another three waiting to go on the market —— moderna. we are talking about the eu spending billions to have 2 billion doses of vaccines from six different companies. 0nly doses of vaccines from six different companies. only two in psycho nation or about to be. pfizer had problems with delays and they are catching up —— two in circulation or about to be. tomorrow, the regulators, the european medicines agency, is due to announce that it is either going to

have a go ahead and the roll—out will be next week. there was so much anticipation because the eu has pressure from germany, italy, spain, saying come on, get on with this. the uk and others are far ahead and our citizens are saying what the heckis our citizens are saying what the heck is going on. one thing to watch out for tomorrow, the eu regulators also suggested that there may not be also suggested that there may not be a complete approval for the vaccine for all ages. a complete approval for the vaccine forallages. for over a complete approval for the vaccine for all ages. for over 65s. because of a lack of testing that has been done for ethical reasons by oxford university, it may be that category is left out, a vaccine for all ages up is left out, a vaccine for all ages up to 65. is left out, a vaccine for all ages u- to 65. ., ~ up to 65. ok, gavin, thank you. gavin lee _ up to 65. ok, gavin, thank you. gavin lee in _ up to 65. ok, gavin, thank you. gavin lee in brussels. - large scale manufacturing has begun in scotland of the yet—to—be—approved valneva coronavirus vaccine. the workforce at the livingstone facility will double as the company begins production in anticipation of receiving regulatory approval. the uk government has pre—ordered 60 million doses with an option to secure a further 130 million if the jab proves safe and effective.

as you will know, the prime minister is expected to visit scotland and he has been tweeting about it. he says it is brilliant that valneva is starting the large—scale manufacture of its potential vaccine, creating 100 high skilled jobs at their livingston facility. let's talk about schools, now. many parents in england this morning are waking up to the prospect of at least another five weeks of home—schooling ahead of them. yesterday, the prime minister said that schools won't fully reopen until at least march the 8th. breakfast�*s graham satchell has been getting reaction from a few of those familiesjuggling learning in lockdown. the news that schools in england won't open again until march at the earliest, a bitter blow for sam. her younger daughter in particular has really struggled.

my daughter, in her online pshe class, had to review how she was feeling at the moment, and she's six, and her top concerns were, "i worry i'm never going "to see my family again," and her second was, "i feel sad when i hear how "many people die." and for a six—year—old, for those to be the two first things they're thinking about, it's material how much of an impact that's having on her mental health. we're just sitting at the kitchen table working, because we have not done any school today. working families are really, really, really struggling. it is that emotional side of it, that is huge, we have got the practical... and once again, vicky is interrupted. vicky is a single mother with four school—age children juggling family, home, and running her own business. it's all getting a bit intense. and now i'm thinking, stop work now,

i'll get back to it, at seven or 8, and i'll be working until midnight. we are all going to reach burn—out, if we carry on like this. i don't know what the answer is, though, i'm not saying open schools, ijust think we need some direction and some hope on the horizon. good afternoon, - thanks forjoining us. the hope had been that schools in england would open again after the february half term, but with cases still high and the vaccine programme nowhere near complete, this from the prime minister... we hope to begin opening schools on monday the 8th of march. - so what about schools in the rest of the uk? northern ireland is reviewing its plans today. wales will make an announcement on friday. scotland, early next week. the likelihood is schools in all four nations will remain closed for most students. neil renton is the headteacher at harrogate grammar school.

thanks very much forjoining us on bbc news today. i think it's fair to say that schools have had to do a number of about turns in their planning as government decisions have changed. in the first instance, do you believe schools will be able to start opening up two more pupils from the 8th of march? i to start opening up two more pupils from the 8th of march?— from the 8th of march? i think it's a very tentative _ from the 8th of march? i think it's a very tentative message, - from the 8th of march? i think it's a very tentative message, isn't i from the 8th of march? i think it's a very tentative message, isn't it, that has been given? we hope from the 8th of march. we believe, as a school, that we could open then, if all the science is saying it is safe to do so, but we will need that time to do so, but we will need that time to be able to communicate effectively with our community to build confidence, so we know the children will be brought back safely. we don't know what the plan is for that return and how many children will be allowed to come back. will it look like they return that took place injune when we reopened at that point? that took place in june when we reopened at that point?- that took place in june when we reopened at that point? there is a lot to know _ reopened at that point? there is a lot to know in _ reopened at that point? there is a lot to know in terms _ reopened at that point? there is a lot to know in terms of _ reopened at that point? there is a lot to know in terms of how i reopened at that point? there is a lot to know in terms of how you i reopened at that point? there is a. lot to know in terms of how you can plan for the return of pupils, whether that is some pupils on a rota basis or everyone. before we

talk about that in more detail, how is the school community coping with lockdown learning this time round? it feels different this time round in that there has been a great deal of learning in the profession and adapting. ifeel very, of learning in the profession and adapting. i feel very, very privileged in our community to work with a great staff and great student body where we have been able to deliver lessons throughout the school timetable and really keep that connection with the students. we recognise like it is not having children in school, schools are special places to be with the culture that children experience. we are trying to replicate that as close as we can. we have just been really trying our best. 0ne close as we can. we have just been really trying our best. one of our challenge is now his other children having too much screen time and is that really affecting their well—being? i that really affecting their well-being?— that really affecting their well-being? that really affecting their well-beina ? ~' ., , ., well-being? i think there was an idea that live _ well-being? i think there was an idea that live lessons _ well-being? i think there was an idea that live lessons at - well-being? i think there was an idea that live lessons at one i well-being? i think there was an l idea that live lessons at one point was the most desirable thing you could achieve but there are questions around that, aren't there?

with pieces of the puzzle missing when the return happens, what sort of plan can you put in place at this stage? of plan can you put in place at this state? �* , ., , of plan can you put in place at this state? �*, ., q stage? it's really difficult. the aood stage? it's really difficult. the good message _ stage? it's really difficult. the good message we _ stage? it's really difficult. the good message we have i stage? it's really difficult. the good message we have had i stage? it's really difficult. the good message we have had is| stage? it's really difficult. the i good message we have had is that we are giving a bit more time. —— we had been given. it feels like a change. the notice that we have had that we will have two weeks notice additional time to be able to plan is really helpful. at this stage, it is really helpful. at this stage, it is difficult to plan because we are a large school of 2000 children. is it one year group? half year groups? it is really difficult to plan other than to look at what we have done in the past and think if that were to happen, this is how we would do this again. happen, this is how we would do this aaain. �* , ., happen, this is how we would do this aaain. �* i. ., happen, this is how we would do this aaain. �* ., ., , ., again. and you have got... sorry to interru t, again. and you have got... sorry to interrupt. you _ again. and you have got... sorry to interrupt, you have _ again. and you have got... sorry to interrupt, you have a _ again. and you have got... sorry to interrupt, you have a testing i interrupt, you have a testing programme for students, some level of testing that will go on presumably?— of testing that will go on resumabl ? , ., of testing that will go on resumabl ? , . , .,. presumably? testing we have in place at the moment _ presumably? testing we have in place at the moment is _ presumably? testing we have in place at the moment is just _ presumably? testing we have in place at the moment is just for _ presumably? testing we have in place at the moment is just for staff. i presumably? testing we have in place at the moment is just for staff. we i at the moment is just for staff. we tested 77 staff on tuesday. we are worried about mass testing because with 2000 children it will take a

week to do one test, doing testing for six hours every day. that will be a challenge to bring them back at once when you have got to get through all those tests. there are challenges. through all those tests. there are challenges-— challenges. talk to me about vaccinations. _ challenges. talk to me about vaccinations. obviously, i challenges. talk to me about vaccinations. obviously, a i challenges. talk to me aboutj vaccinations. obviously, a lot challenges. talk to me about i vaccinations. obviously, a lot of discussion about whether teachers as a profession and teaching staff, school staff, should be vaccinated during the february half term. is that something you and your colleagues would welcome? i that something you and your colleagues would welcome? i think collea . ues colleagues would welcome? i think colleagues would _ colleagues would welcome? i think colleagues would welcome - colleagues would welcome? i think colleagues would welcome that i colleagues would welcome that because it would give them reassurance. teachers know that we have got to wait in line and there is a clear programme that has got to be followed. teachers are very much... yeah, we would be reassured. that is the key thing. we don't know how this new variant is going to affect large communities of school. if that is one measure, that would be helpful. but if that is one measure, that would be helpful-— be helpful. but whether that is ossible, be helpful. but whether that is possible. i _ be helpful. but whether that is possible, ijust _ be helpful. but whether that is possible, i just don't _ be helpful. but whether that is possible, ijust don't know. i be helpful. but whether that is l possible, ijust don't know. neil renton, good to talk to you, head teacher at harrogate grammar school. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood.

it is 9:28am. hello, again. many of us this morning have seen some heavy rain and also some hill snow and all of that is pushing north—east through the rest of the day. the snow level will rise across northern england above 200 metres and we will see the snow continue above 200 metres and accumulate across the highlands and grampians. behind it, bright weather coming in, very mild across england and wales, still cold across scotland. the rain coming in across northern ireland, england and wales will continue to push north through the course of tonight, merging with the other front producing the snow in northern scotland. we will see some heavy and potentially thundery showers move in across western parts of england and wales, too. and it's going to be quite a mild night for northern ireland, england and wales but cold in scotland. tomorrow, our two weather fronts that have merged sink south and weaken all the time. behind them, we will see some sunshine, wintry showers and ahead of them there will also be some

sunshine, still hanging on to the mild air in the south but still remaining cold in the north. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines. scientists tracking coronavirus infection rates in england say they're concerned the virus is not slowing fast enough — with only a slight decline in the past week. the prime minister prepares to visit

scotland amid demands for another independence referendum. nicola sturgeon questions if the trip is essential but ministers insist it's to thank frontline workers. there are 80 new vaccination centres that are opening in scotland as a result of the british army's efforts. i think it's only right the prime minister goes to the front line, learns from those who are responsible for the vaccine roll—out. the eu and astrazeneca pledge to work together to resolve a bitter row over vaccine supply shortages — but the eu is still demanding that jabs produced in the uk are diverted to europe. probing the origins of the pandemic. experts from the world health organization come out of quarantine in china, with a chance to start face to face meetings in wuhan. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's mike bushell. good morning. it is being described as the biggest shock of the premier league season. rock bottom sheffield united hadn't won at old trafford

since boxing day 1973, so no—one was giving them much of a chance. but they took the lead against manchester united, in the first half with this header, from kean bryan. manchester united would have gone back to the top of the table with a win, and they were level, thanks to captain harry maguire. butjust ten minutes later, incredibly chris wilder's side went back in front, 0liver burke with the goal that seals a famous win. i think if you'd seen us all season we have had pretty tight games that we have had pretty tight games that we have had pretty tight games that we have come out of the other side and not got a result and tonight obviously we have another big performance, took our big moments, obviously. the second goal is a huge moment for us and we got a big win. there was a first game in charge, for the new chelsea boss, thomas tuchel. he only took over on tuesday, following the sacking of frank lampard. but it was a frustrating start for the german, as his side drew 0—0 with wolves. mateo kovacic, among those who went close, but the blues couldn't conjure

up a goal. from now on we can go and every day we will help. i don't want to set myself a target to which time, how much time we need to adapt, because we have too as quick as possible. if we have too as quick as possible. if we go on at the speed it will be very quick. leicester came from behind to get a point against everton. youri tielemans, with the goal. that game finished 1—1 with leicester staying third. burnley scored three premier league goals, in a match for the first time in nearly a year as they came from behind to beat aston villa 3—2, at turf moor. chris wood scored the winner, they're now nine points clear, of the relegation places. below them, fulham drew at brighton. rangers maintain their 23—point lead, at the top of the scottish premiership thanks to a win over hibs. steven gerrard's side dominated the game, with alfredo morelos scoring the only goal in the second half at easter road. second—placed celtic beat hamilton.

now onto the golf. england's paul casey, got off to a flying start, at the dubai desert classic this morning. he birdied the first, four holes of his opening round to go straight to the top of the leaderboard. even when he was in trouble, he managed to rescue himself and was five under after seven holes. but, just a birdie and a bogey followed which meant he didn't go any lower and he lies third, a shot off the lead. double 0lympic rowing champion, helen glover, has announced she's attempting a comeback for this summer's tokyo games. glover, who won gold in london and rio in the coxless pairs, would be the first woman to make a british olympic rowing team, after having children. the 3a—year—old, has three children with television presenter and adventurer steve backshall. and after spending time, on a rowing machine, during last year's first national lockdown, she decided to comeback, despite four years away from the elite level. when i thought about coming back the most important thing to me was the children would always come first.

it's really different. i've lived as an athlete, as an 0lympian, for ten years and rowing was ahead of everything, it was ahead of almost everything, it was ahead of almost every relationship, every big event, every relationship, every big event, every life event for friends and family, there were often put second to rowing. and coming back this time i know it can't be the case and it will never be. i am a mum and the three little ones, if i ever feel like rowing is taking me away from them too much, or it is taking away any of my mental or physical energy from them then i would stick back from them then i would stick back from rowing. —— stepped back from rowing. the vendee globe, round—the—world sailing race, has been won by the man, who finished third, but was given a bonus of more than ten hours, for his role in rescuing a fellow competitor. yannick bestaven, was declared the winner when he arrived in france this morning. he had gone out of his way to help, a fellow frenchman, whose boat eventually sank off the cape of good hope during

the race back in november. the leading british sailor pip hare is expected to finish around 11th february. but there you see a really good deed that paid off, putting fellow sailors ahead of his chance, as he thought at the time, of winning but he was declared the winner. that's all the sport for now. that is a perfect ending to that story, mike. thank you very much. social workers are braced for a "tsunami of needs" as the uk recovers from the pandemic. a survey by the british association of social workers suggests that three quarters of its members feel the restrictions have affected their ability to protect vulnerable children and adults. 0ur wales correspondent, tomos morgan, has the story. for the majority of social workers across the uk, caseloads were already close, or already full before the pandemic started. and as restrictions eased, there came a flood of new cases. itjust feels like we are kind of cementing over the cracks but not actually getting to the foundation of what's really going on. minnyjackson, which isn't her real name, is a social worker that

deals with children. she has real concerns that a higher workload coupled with social distancing measures that means that face—to—face visits are few and far between could be having a knock—on effect on her work. i think there is that constant worry that am i missing something? is there something here that i'm not seeing? and how can i actually do the meaningful work through a computer screen or through a mobile phone? a special survey released today by basw union has looked at the effect the pandemic has had on social workers. over two thirds of members working with children said that referrals or their caseload had increased after schools returned after lockdown last year. and the union fears that the workload may increase again after these latest set of restrictions are eased. and over three quarters of members had said that lockdown restrictions had increased their concerns about social workers' capacity to both safeguard and protect children and adults. 0ur fear is that there is going to be an absolute tsunami of need,

which will translate into increased referral and increased demand on the profession. the devolved governments across the four nations have said that social work is a priority for them, that workers have played a crucial role in helping communities in difficult circumstances and that there will be investment for further staffing in the future. but for many other colleagues, the work to help the most vulnerable in our society may take some time to heal. tomos morgan, bbc news. julia winkless is an approved mental health practitioner. shejoins me now to she joins me now to talk about this. welcome to bbc news. do you work with children, adults, or across the board? i with children, adults, or across the board? , ., ., , with children, adults, or across the board? , ., . , ., ~' board? i predominantly work with adults, across _ board? i predominantly work with adults, across mental _ board? i predominantly work with adults, across mental health, i adults, across mental health, learning disability and autism. how has your work changed in the last year? as you have tried to meet the challenges of doing what you do during the pandemic? i think the

biggest change is that the essence of what we do is social workers is different now. what we do is we build relationships with people, we meet them, we speak to them, we get to know them and we communicate with them. what we are having to do is take a step back, and a lot of the time the methods we would use to communicate with someone aren't available to us. so we are not as easily able to meet people in their homes and when we do see people our faces covered with a mask, and to communicate and connect on an emotional level when somebody can't see your face is a lot more difficult. see your face is a lot more difficult-— see your face is a lot more difficult. ., ., ., , difficult. to what extent has face-to-face _ difficult. to what extent has face-to-face work _ difficult. to what extent has face-to-face work still i difficult. to what extent has face-to-face work still been difficult. to what extent has i face-to-face work still been going face—to—face work still been going on, julia? face-to-face work still been going on, julia? ~ , ., face-to-face work still been going on,julia? ~ , ., ., ~' on, julia? within my field of work we still do _ on, julia? within my field of work we still do all _ on, julia? within my field of work we still do all our _ on, julia? within my field of work we still do all our mental - on, julia? within my field of work we still do all our mental health | we still do all our mental health assessments face—to—face and then we have to look at the level of risk and the circumstances and consider whether there is a need to see someone, orwhether

whether there is a need to see someone, or whether there is another method that we can use which would be just as effective. so we are doing face—to—face work but we are screening for risk, and that's not just a risk in terms of harm because of the potentially safeguarding concerns, it is also a risk to somebody of transmission of covid. 0f somebody of transmission of covid. of course, that risk as we have seen from the 0ns figures, social work is now classed as a high—risk occupation because you are still coming into contact with people. as a necessity of what you do, how worried are you that you might contract the virus and will have colleagues sent to you about their concerns as well?— colleagues sent to you about their concerns as well? yeah, we have all been very worried. _ concerns as well? yeah, we have all been very worried. we _ concerns as well? yeah, we have all been very worried. we have - concerns as well? yeah, we have all been very worried. we have been i been very worried. we have been fortunate to have supportive managers. we have had no shortage of ppe within my field of work. but there have been colleagues who have fallen ill with covid and it's

likely it was at the workplace that they contracted the virus. we worry about bringing it home to our families as well. at}! about bringing it home to our families as well.— about bringing it home to our families as well. . ., , ., ., families as well. of course. you are makin: families as well. of course. you are making decisions _ families as well. of course. you are making decisions that _ families as well. of course. you are making decisions that can _ making decisions that can fundamentally change people's lives. so not to be able to work in the way you are used to working, that's obviously very challenging and must cause you a lot of concern because you are trying to make the best decisions you can for people. absolutely. what we find with people is the human connection. for example, one woman i was working with recently, we were doing a joint disclosure with the police around domestic abuse in relation to a partner. it was one of those situations where we couldn't all be in the same room so we had to use a telephone on loudspeaker for the police to participate. she couldn't see my face so when she was upset i

couldn't communicate to her that we were here for her, that we would go through this together. it was much more difficult than particularly when you work with someone who is autistic, i think. when you work with someone who is autistic, ithink. communication when you work with someone who is autistic, i think. communication can be difficult and you need all the tools you can to build that relationship, and a computer screen or a concealed face makes it so much more difficult. it’s or a concealed face makes it so much more difficult.— more difficult. it's never going to be the same. _ more difficult. it's never going to be the same, of _ more difficult. it's never going to be the same, of course. - more difficult. it's never going to be the same, of course. i i more difficult. it's never going to be the same, of course. ijust i be the same, of course. ijust wonder in reference to that clip where we heard someone say there was going to be a tsunami of need once we are out of the worst of this pandemic, is that something you recognise? is there a lot of work that has taken place that should have taken place just people waiting to be seen? have taken place 'ust people waiting to be seen? ., have taken place 'ust people waiting to be seen? . ., , , to be seen? yeah, absolutely. i think it's not _ to be seen? yeah, absolutely. i think it's notjust _ to be seen? yeah, absolutely. i think it's not just the _ to be seen? yeah, absolutely. i think it's notjust the work- to be seen? yeah, absolutely. i think it's not just the work that l to be seen? yeah, absolutely. i i think it's not just the work that we haven't been able to keep up with because of staff shortages and similar, it's also knowing what the impact of the stress of the last 12 months has been on the people that

we work with, whether that's children or adults, stresses and family pressures are one of the biggest contributing factors when when you work with vulnerable people. when you work with vulnerable eo - le. , ., when you work with vulnerable neale, ., ., ~' when you work with vulnerable --eole., ., . ~' ,, when you work with vulnerable --eole. ., . ~' , when you work with vulnerable --eole. ., ., , . people. julia, thank you very much for talkin: people. julia, thank you very much for talking to _ people. julia, thank you very much for talking to us _ people. julia, thank you very much for talking to us and _ people. julia, thank you very much for talking to us and telling i people. julia, thank you very much for talking to us and telling us i for talking to us and telling us about how your working life has changed. julia winkless who is an improved practitioner. a large study suggests that black people over the age of 80 were half as likely as white people to have been vaccinated against covid by 13 january. that's despite the fact that black people and those from other ethnic minority groups are four times more likely to die with covid—19 than their white counterparts. the study was based on more than 20 million patient records in england and found that of the million of those aged over 80 but not living in a care home 43% of white people have been given their first dose of the vaccine. 30% of the bangladeshi and pakistani

had theirfirst dose. and only 21% of the black people had it. here's our community affairs correspondent adina campbell. carmine reid was 79 when she died in november last year after becoming infected with coronavirus while in hospital in birmingham. her niece says the grief of losing a close family member was the main reason why she decided to have the vaccine last week. she was somebody that i spoke to on the phone, you know, nearly every two weeks. and within, you know, a week or so, she was just taken. so, that did affect me and it probably affected the family, you realise how... ..fragile life is. people from black, asian and other ethnic minority groups are up to four times more likely to die from coronavirus than white people.

despite the risks, research suggests confidence in the vaccine is lower within these communities. there are a number of reasons why some people from black and asian backgrounds seem to be more hesitant about taking the vaccine. but one thing we hear time and time again is about a lack of trust. campaigners say the government must take more action by looking closely at ethnicity data to understand the vaccine take—up amongst these these groups, the concept of hesitancy, we've alljumped onto it because of a couple of surveys. and it's important that we do address them, but i fear that we may be running ahead of ourselves in coming to conclusions that aren't actually supported by what's really going on. the government says it is working closely with black, asian and ethnic minority communities who have

questions about covid—19 vaccines, which includes working with faith and community leaders to give them advice and information about the benefits of vaccination. we understand the fears, the anxiety and confusion. black mps from all parties have now come together in this video, hoping to spread the vaccination message on social media. adina campbell, bbc news. the co—chairman of the conservatives, amanda milling, has said the party "completely condemns" claims by a senior tory backbencher that the pandemic presents a "manageable risk" to the nhs, and that figures "appear to have been manipulated". sir desmond swayne, who's been a frequent critic of coronavirus restrictions, made the comments in november when speaking to anti—lockdown campaigners. labour's deputy leader, angela rayner, has accused him of spreading "dangerous misinformation". it's understood that the conservative chief whip will ask sir desmond to attend a meeting with scientific advisers. the headlines on bbc news.

the time is 9:46am. scientists tracking coronavirus infection rates in england say they're concerned the virus is not slowing fast enough — with only a slight decline in the past week. the prime minister prepares to visit scotland amid demands for another independence referendum. nicola sturgeon questions if the trip is essential. the eu and astrazeneca pledge to work together to resolve a bitter row over vaccine supply shortages — but the eu is still demanding that jabs produced in the uk are diverted to europe. a team of world health organization experts investigating the origins of the pandemic are preparing to begin work in wuhan, after isolating in the chinese city for the last two weeks. the scientists are expected to interview people from research institutes, hospitals and the seafood market linked to the initial outbreak. the probe comes after months of negotiations between the who and beijing.

0ur correspondent stephen mcdonell is in wuhan. he gave us the latest from there. the team of who scientists came out of the quarantine facility behind me, boarded a bus, came past waving as they went. they seemed happy to be finishing up their quarantine. who wouldn't be? you know, two weeks stuck in one room. and now they can at least have face—to—face meetings, especially with their chinese counterparts. this is what it's really all about. i think many have been under the misunderstanding that they'll be having their own sort of extensive investigation. it's not so much they're doing their own research. they are reviewing the work that's already been done on the ground to try and see where the holes are, to try and see what else needs to be done to get to the bottom of the origins of the coronavirus. this has all become very political, though. and the chinese and international

scientists are telling us what they are hoping is they can get above all of that politics, they can be looking at the data, they can be going to sort of hard evidence to trace where this virus came from in order to prepare for the next time the world has to get ready forjust such a pandemic again. stephen mcdonell in wuhan. while south africa is battling a second wave of covid—19 infections, hospitals are facing oxygen shortages. this is adding strain to an already fragile health system. with over 40,000 deaths to date and nearly 1.5 million total cases, the country is the hardest hit by the virus on the african continent. vumani mkhize reports from johannesburg. as south africa grapples with the desperate shortage of oxygen, it's people like ashwell

who are on the front lines, helping covid—19 patients get access to a life—saving commodity. ashwell provides a home oxygen service to clients all over johannesburg and since the beginning of the second wave, he's been inundated with calls, daily. i'm very busy. until... as soon as the package comes, and the three—day contract is over, we then... i go and i collect from you and i then take it immediately to another person and that is my day on a daily basis. i travel over 100 kilometres per day, every day, trying to get out to... to people out there suffering of covid—19. ashwell fills his cylinders at a nearby oxygen company. the plant is also battling to keep up with demand. these are ashwell�*s cylinders. he dropped them off this morning and he'll come back later this afternoon to fetch them. he used to be able to collect immediately, but now waiting times have increased, as demand has skyrocketed. now, the plant over here is running a 24—hour service, just to keep up. coronavirus survivor, ian ross, recently got back from hospital

and needed oxygen from ashwell�*s home service to survive. ian spent a week in hospital. coughing he says he saw seven people die while he was there. i thought the lord's going to take me, to be honest. everybody was praying for me, saying, "you must fight, carry on." you get to that point where your bodyjust doesn't want to. it's in the hospitals where there's a crisis and the severity of a second wave exacerbated by a more transmissible strain of covid—19 means hospitals are using up oxygen faster than it can be replenished, forcing doctors to decide who lives and who dies. you have to make - a choice between people. because there isn't i enough oxygen ports. at some stage, it's l catching up with you. when you get to bed at night, - they come back to you and they ask, "why didn't you choose me?" or, you know, you would ask yourself, "did i make - "the right choice? "

the beginning ofjanuary saw daily infections exceed 20,000 new cases, though infection rates are coming down, the daily death toll is still high. amidst the loss, front—line workers like ashwell are trying to give patients a fighting chance. vumani mkhize, bbc news. the power of music can help people living with the effects of covid—19. english national opera is now offering a singing therapy programme to some of those suffering from what's known as long—covid. 0ur arts correspondent, david sillito has been checking it out. sing it with me. when it comes to zoom meetings, this is as stress free as it gets. a lullaby, some singing, and a lesson. iam breathing in. a lesson in breathing. i am breathing out ten. that was the best thing that

happened to me after covid, it was a breath of fresh air. i am breathing in nine. finally i found somebody. who understood a little bit about where i was coming froml and the difficulties i was having. they vocalise and this is what it is all about, these vocal exercises i am being given to do our part of the breathe programme, and taking me through my paces is susie from english national opera who has a vital area of expertise. breathing. it's one of the things that's really hard if you have been unwell for a long time, is that potentially you have never been particularly conscious of how you breathed when you were well and then it's been a struggle, so getting back to what normal feels like when it isn't something that you are terribly conscious of remembering is already difficult.

this was richard stenning in march in intensive care. obviously the worst 36 hours of my life, didn't know- where i was in was having huge problems with hallucinations, i sweats, aching limbs. and since then it has been tough. i've suffered from chronic fatigue, i get completely wiped out. - pretty good in the mornings, 0k in the evenings in- 0k in the evenings and the afternoons are terrible. it's a familiar story. sheba was hospitalised in march and has since spent months isolated, anxious and breathless. could you have ever imagined that essentially singing teaching could have helped? not in my wildest dreams, not at all. has it helped ? i would suddenly wake up thinking i'm not getting enough oxygen in my lungs and i didn't know what to do about it. should i call 111? should i call an ambulance? am i going to have a heart attack?

that kind of anxiety. but this connected me with my flock of fellow sufferers but in the most positive and musical way. this pilot programme is now being extended to another 1,000 long—covid patients. the evidence so far suggests it is helping people recover faster. with use of the lullabies that calm the patients and use of the exercises that they do in between the classes, we can see that people's breathing patterns are better, they are breathing deeper, using their diaphragms more and they are. absolutely, on the evidence we have so far, we feel this is of benefit to people. # summertime and the... # but it's also about more than breathing. music can be healing in many ways. i do like to revisit the summertime song. i know i fell in love with as soon

as susie made us sing that. # fish arejumping... # it reminds you that bad times do not last for ever and there is light at the end of the tunnel. some rather adorable pictures for you now. most zoos across the world remain closed but a giant panda cub has still won legions of new fans after making his first appearance online. xiao qiji was born in washington dc in august last year. during his debut appearance on the smithsonian national zoo's live web—stream, he played some tug—of—war with his keeper and polished off a plate of sweet potato — i'm not sure if we can hear him, let's listen in. munching. some vague snuffling noises, i think you can hear him chomping away. really beautiful.

now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello, again. it's been a pretty wet start to the day for many parts of the uk, there are some large puddles and, of course, with the heavy rain we've seen, it is exacerbating the risk of flooding where we've already had flooding in recent days. now, it's notjust rain, it's also some largely hill snow and in some heavier bursts, we could see it getting down to lower levels but mostly at lower levels, it will be sleet and rain. and we've got a lot of mild air pumping in from the atlantic, except for across northern and eastern parts of scotland and the far north—east of england. here is our band of rain and hill snow, continuing to advance north. and some of it will be quite heavy, particularly down to about 200 centimetres where we will see it accumulate. but through the course of the afternoon, that snow level will rise across the pennines. behind it, brighterskies, a little bit of sunshine and then later on in the day, we will see the clouds thicken out we will see the cloud thicken out

towards the west as we see some more rain arrive. and snow continuing to push north and by tomorrow morning, parts of the highlands and grampians above 200 metres could have as much as 20 centimetres. by the end of the afternoon, we could see as much as 15 centimetres across the tops of the pennines. mild in the south, 1a degrees, unseasonably so, and still cold in the north. through this evening and overnight, our band of rain continues to migrate north, eventually joining forces with the snow across the north of scotland. further showers coming in across the west of wales, western england, some of those could be heavy and thundery. it's going to be mild for northern ireland, england and wales, still cold across scotland, particularly so in sheltered glens. our two weather fronts that have merged will be sinking south tomorrow and weakening as they do so. the showers in the west will be drifting east, most petering out and some brighter skies following behind with some wintry showers in scotland. we still hang onto the mild conditions and some bright skies ahead of our weather fronts coming south as well in southern england. on saturday, we've got a bit of an issue because lots of us will have dry weather with some

sunshine and that cold air getting further south and it will bump into this rain coming in from the south—west. just how far this rain travels north is still open to question, but it could produce some snow mostly on the hills and you will notice from the temperatures — feeling colder.

this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. borisjohnson prepares to visit scotland amid demands for another independence referendum. scotland's first minister questions whether the trip is essential, but ministers say it's to thank front—line workers. there are 80 new vaccination centres that are opening in scotland as a result of the british army's efforts. i think it's only right the prime minister goes to the front line, learns from those who are responsible for the vaccine roll—out... the eu and astrazeneca pledge to work together to resolve a row over vaccine supply shortages — but the eu is still demanding that somejabs produced in the uk are diverted to europe. if you'd like to get in touch about that or any of the stories we're covering today, you can contact me on twitter @annita—mcveigh #bbcyourquestions.