, we felt _ of health and public health england, we felt that— of health and public health englandk, - we felt that by moving to the contingency framework, we i we felt that by moving to the . contingency framework, we felt we felt that by moving to the - contingency framework, we felt that this would _ contingency framework, we felt that this would be — contingency framework, we felt that this would be a _ contingency framework, we felt that this would be a better— contingency framework, we felt that this would be a better way - contingency framework, we felt that this would be a better way of - contingency framework, we felt that this would be a better way of doingi this would be a better way of doing it, this would be a better way of doing it. and _ this would be a better way of doing it. and actually— this would be a better way of doing it, and actually having _ this would be a better way of doing it, and actually having spoken - this would be a better way of doing it, and actually having spoken with| it, and actually having spoken with the sector— it, and actually having spoke

england's covid lockdown will need to be eased "very slowly, and very cautiously", according to one of the most senior public healthfficials. dr susan hopkins from public health england said the focus should be on getting people vaccinated and preventing another wave of infections rather than reopening society and that the uk should start seeing the impact of the vaccination programme within a fortnight. meanwhile the health secretary matt hancock has today predicted "a happy and free great british summer", but warned of "a tough few months" before then. it comes as the irish prime minister, micheal martin, said there were "lessons to be learnt" after the eu reversed its threat to put checks on the irish border, to tackle european vaccine shortages. mr martin said the eu had been "blindsided" by its row with astrazeneca. the british government has reassured people there'll be no interruption in supplies of vaccines from the eu in the wake of the row. here's our political correspondentjessica parker. years of painstaking work to keep this border free and flowing between northern ireland and the republic. but on frid

the committee which advises government examined a different set of data to public health england. milder learning disabilities are not at such an increased risk. individuals with learning disability we recognise as a very disadvantaged group, so that's why we decided to make a clinical decision to prioritise those with profound and severe learning disabilities within our first six categories. with such conflicting figures, experts fear that by not immunising everyone with a learning disability as a priority... we need to protect this population. ..there will be many who will not get the vaccine in time. lots of people with learning disabilities have things like diabetes or heart problems, or lung problems. even before covid, more than four in ten people with a learning disability died of a lung condition like pneumonia. it is clear that, as a group of people, they really are at risk, and they should be prioritised. we're just as important as everybody else that should have a chance of having the vaccine. but we need it now, rather than later. death after death and crisis i after c

ti2 committee which advises government examined a different set of data then public health england.at there is not such an increased risk.— believe that there is not such an increased risk. we recognise this is a very disadvantaged _ increased risk. we recognise this is a very disadvantaged group - increased risk. we recognise this is a very disadvantaged group and - increased risk. we recognise this is| a very disadvantaged group and that is why we decided to make clinical decisions to prioritise those with profound and severe learning disabilities within the first six categories. disabilities within the first six categories-— disabilities within the first six cateiories. ~ , . . categories. with such conflicting fi . ures, categories. with such conflicting figures, experts _ categories. with such conflicting figures, experts like _ categories. with such conflicting figures, experts like these - categories. with such conflicting l figures, experts like these women feel it might not it might mean not in the lots of people have problem with diabetes, lung problems, even before covid

public health regulations". as high risk groups continue to be immunised, there are growing concerns that people with learning disabilities have been missed out. despite a recent public health england warning they are six times more likely to die from coronavirus, as a group, they have not been prioritised for a vaccine. nikki fox reports. you know, you can't smell it, you can't see it. you can't hear it. it's like a silent killer. everyone here has a learning disability. they meet up regularly to talk about and understand death and bereavement. it is scary at times. these chats have never been more important. all i keep thinking is, am i going to be next? you know, am i going to be the next one to die? i would hate to be in hospital and end up dying on my own. people with learning disabilities are up to six times more likely to die from coronavirus. that's according to analysis by public health england, which looked at the number of deaths during the first wave of the pandemic. however, only those with down�*s syndrome and severe learning disabilities are being prioritised for the vaccine. people adore her. tilly is one of those being prioritised. and it can't come soon enough. i

the headlines at four: ending lockdown must happen "very slowly", public health england's covid strategy chief says. but the uk should start seeing the impact of the vaccination programme in two weeks. reports that more than 4,000 people have been arrested in russia, as protests take place in support ofjailed opposition leader, alexei navalny. manchester united player marcus rashford says he's been subjected to online racist abuse following his club's draw at arsenal. he called it "humanity and social media at its worst". mps will debate the cladding crisis tomorrow, as campaigners say residents of flats covered in the flammable material are being financially crippled by rising insurance costs. a global paper shortage due to pandemic shopping online. industry leaders say there's a temporary lack of cardboard packaging. and coming up in half an hour, global questions, which asks if tech giants have gone too far after social media sites suspended donald trump. hello and welcome to bbc news. england's covid lockdown will need to be eased "very slowly and very cautiously", with the focus on

. —— public health england. it is rare but it— public health england. of astrazeneca, that a 70%, so you have more immunity if you had the coronavirus yourself. and it does _ the coronavirus yourself. and it does appear to last a bit longer most _ does appear to last a bit longer most of— does appear to last a bit longer most of the length is still unclear though — most of the length is still unclear though. we still don't know how long your own _ though. we still don't know how long your own natural immunity will last if you _ your own natural immunity will last if you have — your own natural immunity will last if you have the virus. it may be only— if you have the virus. it may be only six — if you have the virus. it may be only six or— if you have the virus. it may be only six or nine months, may be a lot longer~ — only six or nine months, may be a lot longer. that is still up in the air but— lot longer. that is still up in the air but it — lot longer. that is still up in the air but it is _ lot longer. that is still up in the air but it is again ano

ending lockdown must happen "very slowly" , public health england's covid strategy chief says. uk should start seeing the impact of the vaccination programme in 2 weeks. reports that more than 4000 people have been arrested in russia , as protests take place in support ofjailed opposition leader, alexei navalny. now on bbc news, britain has one of the highest death tolls from covid—i9 in the world. clive myrie's film follows staff at the royal london hospital as they try to cope with a second wave. a warning this programme contains content which some viewers may find distressing. she's young. she's someone's relative. this is something precious that we're holding and we're trying to do. my wife lost her fight for life. nobody wants to go through this. i wouldn't wish this on anybody. the coronavirus pandemic has hit the united kingdom hard. i think the public want to do the right thing, but i don't feel they understand fully the scale of the problem. this is the story of one of the hospitals in the eye of the storm. so we're now going to run into a problem because we haven't go

public health england says ending lockdown must happen "very slowly" but the uk should start seeing thempact of the vaccination programme in two weeks. 8.98 million people have now been given their first covid vaccine dose, up 600,000 on yesterday — a record in a 2k hour period. reports that more than 4000 people have been arrested in russia, as protests take place in support ofjailed opposition leader, alexei navalny. manchester united player, marcus rashford, says he's been subjected to online racist abuse, following his club's draw at arsenal. he called it �*humanity and social media at its worst�*. mps will debate the cladding crisis tomorrow, as campaigners say residents of flats covered in the flammable material, are being financially cripped by rising insurance costs. now on bbc news, global questions. hello and welcome to global questions with me, zeinab badawi. many of us all over the world rely on social media for information, communication and entertainment, but the reach and power of big tech companies is worrying many. their decision to ban donald trump and decide what can

thanks very much for being with us again on the program just on on that last point the the public health england study how important a finding is that are about people being protected from go but if they've had it before. well it tells us something that we suspected but didn't have any confirmed rock solid data to go on so it kind of fills in the gap but we sort of expected this would be the case we know that the person who catches corona virus more than 80 percent of the time just recovers and they recover because their immune system makes a response that kicks the virus out of their body the question was well how long are they going to remain in the room for and can they catch it again in that period of time well this siren study that's the name of the study from public health england gives us a bit more clarity because they followed up some 20000 people half or just just under half were people who had had a confirmed case of corona virus and had antibodies the rest of the group were controls they hadn't had coronavirus and what they did was to follow up these people over a long period of time

which is a public health england figures have i transmission. european union a year ago, but it was only last month that it came out of the key economic institutions — the eu�*s single market and customs union. it was a pivotal moment of change for businesses on both sides. just days ahead of the deadline, britain and the eu did manage to seal an agreement. but it has not all been plain sailing. now, as a uk citizen, you need a visa if you want to go to the eu for any reason other than tourism. so how is that affecting people who relied on being able to travel frequently for work? shada lambert is an international nanny and joins us from south east london. thank you so much for being with us. tell us how your occupation has been affected by brexit. t�*m affected by brexit. i'm international- affected by brexit. i'm international nanny i affected by brexit. i'm international nanny a i affected by brexit. ii�*tii international nanny a childcare expert and offer online services also travel all over the world living childcare services to different fa

should be felt in the overrall infection rate in the next two weeks, but dr susan hopkins, from public health england warning coronavirus restrictions should only be eased "very slowly and very cautiously". here's our health correspondent, jim reed. here at this basketball stadium in newcastle, the vaccine roll—out continues. across the uk, more than half a million received theirjab yesterday, a new record, 2,000 at this site alone. it means a lot, and i'm pleased that people are willing to come and help us to get us through it and everything. anyone receiving theirjab here will have to come back in 12 weeks for a second dose. there have been concerns about the supply of one vaccine coming from a plant in belgium in a row about shortages in the eu. but the government now says it's confident that there won't be any hold—up, and the most vulnerable groups will be offered a first jab by mid—february. the more people who take up the vaccine, the more we will be protected as a society. so that high take—up is incredibly important. but it comes as scientists urge caution, saying, even if vaccination target

unfortunately i think this telegraph story is about to puhlic— think this telegraph story is about to public health englandecting some of these measures to id expecting some of these measures to go actually, well into 2022. so i'm afraid _ go actually, well into 2022. so i'm afraid we — go actually, well into 2022. so i'm afraid we are in the long haul for this _ afraid we are in the long haul for this. �* , , this. let's finish with the observer. _ this. let's finish with the observer, again, - this. let's finish with the i observer, again, facebook this. let's finish with the - observer, again, facebook still making money from anti—vax sites. yes apparently it is about 430 pages viewed _ yes apparently it is about 430 pages viewed by— yes apparently it is about 430 pages viewed by 45 million people spreading just complete misinformation. really dangerous stuff about the vaccine. the vaccine is going _ stuff about the vaccine. the vaccine is going to — stuff about the vaccine. the vaccine is going to take us out of being in this lockdown state, take us to a place _ this lockdown state, take us to a place

she‘s the medical advisor at public health england and member of the uk‘s sage committee, which advisesvernment had introduced the new restrictions, and highlighted how the vaccination programme has been going. he said more than a million people in england have been vaccinated so far, and that the government was making it a priority to vaccinate the most vulnerable and elderly by mid—february. this afternoon, with pfizer and 0xford astrazeneca combined, as of this afternoon, we‘ve now vaccinated over 1.1 million people in england and over 1.3 million across the uk. and that includes more than 650,000 people over 80, which is 23% of all the over 80s and england, and that means that nearly one the over 80s in england, and that means that nearly one in four of the most vulnerable groups will have in two to three weeks, all of them, a significant degree of immunity. the prime minister there. now, let‘s turn to dr susan hopkins. as i mentioned, she‘s the medical adviser at public health england and a member of the uk‘s sage committee, and has the answers to some of your questions. doctor hop

health officials say england's covid lockdown will need to be eased "very slowly and very cautiously" with the focus on preventing another wave of infections. that's according to dr susan hopkins from publicealth england, who said the uk should start seeing the impact of the vaccination programme within a fortnight. meanwhile, "a happy and free great british summer" is being predicted by the health secretary, matt hancock, but he warns of "a tough few months" before then. it comes as the irish prime minister, michael martin, said lessons had to be learnt after the eu was blindsided by its row with astrazeneca before backtracking on its threat to put checks on the irish border to tackle european vaccine shortages. the british government has reassured people there'll be no interuption in supplies of vaccines from the eu in the wake of the row. here's our political correspondent, jessica parker. years of painstaking work to keep this border free and flowing between northern ireland and the republic. but on friday night, the eu decided to temporarily override part of the brexit deal as it imposed controls on vaccine supplies. the backlash was immediate, the decision quickly reversed. so what

according to public health england there were more _ public health england there were more outbreaks— sage _ or prisons in the last week. has sage looked _ or prisons in the last week. has sage looked at _ or prisons in the last week. has sage looked at the _ or prisons in the last week. has sage looked at the problem - or prisons in the last week. has sage looked at the problem of. sage looked at the problem of workplace _ sage looked at the problem of workplace transmission, - sage looked at the problem of workplace transmission, and i sage looked at the problem of- workplace transmission, and does it think— workplace transmission, and does it think more — workplace transmission, and does it think more needs _ workplace transmission, and does it think more needs to _ workplace transmission, and does it think more needs to be _ workplace transmission, and does it think more needs to be done - workplace transmission, and does it think more needs to be done to - workplace transmission, and does itl think more needs to be done to keep people _ think more needs to be done to keep people

from a study show recovering from covert protects against infection for at least 5 months public health england trying to $20000.00 health care workers and found a previous infection provided 83 percent immunity similar to a vaccine. the world health organization is looking at introducing covert 19 vaccination passports for travelers some countries are already trialing them critics call the passports discriminatory. and w.h.o. scientists are now in the chinese city of new holland to investigate the origins of the pandemic the long delayed trip follows months of diplomatic wrangling beijing argues the virus may not have originated in the southwest as scientists suspect. it out to our science correspondent eric williams if you've got a question he's the e-mail feedback dot english at d.f.w. dot com type expert in the subject line or leave a comment on how you should channel. if you get a 1st back scene shot made by one developer what happens if you a 2nd shelters from a different developer. as the pandemic reaches a really critical stage in many countries in one of them britain health authorities

how concerned is public health england about that. that we are looking at closely and we don't yet see the virus studies from that, and there has been some studies done in the us, but we have not yet grown the virus in the uk, so we would want to be able to do that so we can perform experiments in the laboratory in a similar way as we are performing for the variant that first arose in the uk, was first identified in the uk and although the variant from south africa, so we need to understand the biology of these as well as understanding the mutations and we will be watching them all to make sure that they cannot escape your immune response, which is the key thing we are looking up at the moment. . ., thing we are looking up at the moment. , ., «i ., moment. given what we know previously _ moment. given what we know previously about i moment. given what we know previously about how i moment. given what we know previously about how a i moment. given what we know previously about how a speed| moment. given what we know l previously about

see like by doctor susan hopkins of public health england.- like by doctor susan hopkins of public healthhit, good morning. we got loads to talk about. . , . ., talk about. thanks very much for havin: talk about. thanks very much for having me _ talk about. thanks very much for having me again. _ talk about. thanks very much for having me again. you _ talk about. thanks very much for having me again. you are - talk about. thanks very much for having me again. you are very i having me again. you are very welcome- _ having me again. you are very welcome. thanks _ having me again. you are very welcome. thanks for - having me again. you are very welcome. thanks for sparing l having me again. you are very - welcome. thanks for sparing time to talk to us in what is a busy week, a busy month, a busy year for you. let's talk firstly about the vaccine deadlines. the government has said they want to vaccinate all care home residents by today. i know that you have already finished your over 80s cohort haven't you? just give me a sense of how you are getting on and who is being vaccinated right now?

from a study show recovering from covert protects against infection for at least 5 months public health england trying to 20000 health care workers and found a previous infection provided 83 percent immunity similar to a vaccine. the world health organization is looking at introducing covert 19 vaccination passports for travelers some countries are already trialing them critics call the passports discriminatory and w.h.o. scientists are now in the chinese city of han to investigate the origins of the pandemic the long delayed trip follows months of diplomatic wrangling beijing argues the virus may not have originated in the southwest as scientists suspect. but out to our science correspondent eric williams if you've got a question here's the e-mail feedback dot english at d w dot com type expert in the subject line or leave a comment on our you tube channel. if you get a 1st vaccine shot made by one developer what happens if your 2nd shot is from a different developer. as the pandemic reaches a really critical stage in many countries in one of them britain health authorities have changed some r

ending lockdown must happen "very slowly", public health england's covid strategy chief says.e vaccination programme in two weeks. reports that more than 2000 people have been arrested in russia, as protests take place in support ofjailed opposition leader, alexei navalny. manchester united player marcus rashford says he's been subjected to online racist abuse, following his club's draw at arsenal. he called it "humanity and social media at its worst". mps will debate the cladding crisis tomorrow, as campaigners say residents of flats covered in the flammable material are being financially crippled by rising insurance costs. a global paper shortage due to pandemic shopping online — industry leaders say there's a temporary lack of

but the research, by public health england, found those who've been infected could still carry and transmitus. concerns are growing about a new variant of the disease which originated in brazil. ministers are meeting to discuss whether to stop flights from the country. the government has delayed the introduction of new rules requiring travellers arriving in england to have a negative coronavirus test. they were due to come into force tomorrow but now won't take effect until monday. the transport secretary, grant shapps, said he wanted to give people time "to prepare". more on all of this to come, but first back to pharmacy vaccinations. here's our health correspondent dominic hughes. six pharmacies in england that are big enough to allow for social for social distancing. stores run by boots, superdrug and independent pharmacists like this one in macclesfield will be the first to offer the vaccine today. but over the next fortnight, many more community pharmacies should join them. we're delighted that pharmacy teams, who have been on the health service frontline throughout the pandemic, are

this is public health england. a _ emerged? ress cases remain at a very high level. there are early signs that hospital emissions and icu missions may be starting to stabilise, but again, the very high levels. the hospital admissions are very high in the west midlands now and amongst those aged 85 and over, which is worrying because the older you are, the higher the risk of dying from this virus. cases are still highest in london, the new variant was a driving infection there. although there has been a fall, the case right now is 629 per 100,000 people, down from 935 the previous week. cases are falling amongst all age groups, still highest amongst those aged 20—29. there is an interesting picture there, but what is more interesting is that flu has remained low this season and flu jabs have been taken well this year, house number is on record, 80% of those people aged 65 and over. also for those for children aged two and three and a high uptake amongst clinical risk groups and pregnant women. a mixed picture and in a statement f

>>researchers from public health england found. past coronavirus infection was linked to an 83% lower risk of reinfection they base their data on test results from nearly 21,000 health care workers from across the uk between the months of june and november, however, the study found that some people do catch the virus again it is unclear how long any immunity will fully last and researchers say it is possible that those who are in you may still be able to carry the virus in their noses or in their throats and then transmitted to others. >>on february, the 6th in 2020. patricia dowd took her last breath at home run of the california sun. in santa clara are. she was 57 years old. a beloved wife. mother daughter and sister. but just like that and sister. but just like that she wa year later. nearly 400,000. 400,000 of our fellow americans at the same cruel fate. >>president elect joe biden as he began laying out the plan to try to tackle the pandemic and the first 100 days of his presidency as you just heard he said it's been just abou

the pfizer estimates were verbally given to public health england during discussion.nfidentiality? yes, that is right, but subsequent _ confidentiality? yes, that is right, but subsequent to _ confidentiality? yes, that is right, but subsequent to that _ confidentiality? yes, that is right, but subsequent to that meeting . confidentiality? yes, that is right, - but subsequent to that meeting where it was— but subsequent to that meeting where it was given verbally, the necessary data were _ it was given verbally, the necessary data were published alongside the fta briefing document. it is not in the peer— fta briefing document. it is not in the peer reviewjournal of publication, but in the fda briefing documents. ., , publication, but in the fda briefing documents. . , , , . documents. that is in the public domain and _ documents. that is in the public domain and can _ documents. that is in the public domain and can be _ documents. that is in the public domain and can be examined i documents. that is in the public. domain and can be examined and documents. that is in t

in the uk to look— by public health england in the uk to look at— by public health england int we are seeing from the clinical trials _ that we are seeing from the clinical trials really couldn't fail to have some _ trials really couldn't fail to have some effect on transmission, and the question— some effect on transmission, and the question is— some effect on transmission, and the question is really less will lay, but to— question is really less will lay, but to what extent. when we have clarity _ but to what extent. when we have clarity on — but to what extent. when we have clarity on the extent, that will open — clarity on the extent, that will open up — clarity on the extent, that will open up a _ clarity on the extent, that will open up a whole range of further questions — open up a whole range of further questions about the future deployment of vaccines after the w deployment of vaccines after the jcvi priority groups one to nine are completed — jcvi priority groups one to nine are completed about how vaccines might play a _ completed about how vaccines might play a rol

researchers from public health england found a past coronavirus infection was linked to an 83% lowerk of reinfection they based their data on test results from nearly 21,000 health workers from across the uk between june and november. but the study also found some people do catch the virus again and it is unclear how long any immunity fully less researchers say it is possible that those who are immune may still be able to carry the virus in their noses or their throats and then transmit it on to others johnson and johnson's covid-19 vaccine is showing promising results but it will not be available likely for months due to production delays. >>the company had originally pledged to deliver 12 million doses by the end of february with plans to reach a 100 million over the next 4 months but federal officials say the company has fallen as much as 2 months behind the original production schedule and won't catch up until the end of april. >>still ahead did you feel it your mission: stand up to moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. and take. it. on... ...with rinvoq. rinvoq a once-daily p

>>researchers from public health england found. coronavirus infection was linked to an 83% lower risk of reinfection they base their data on test results from nearly 21,000 health care workers from across the uk between the months of june and november, however, the study found that some people do catch the virus again it is unclear how long any immunity will

we certainly need to public health england on our side. what percentage of the adult population needs to be vaccinated before government can allow large crowds to cover again. is it 100% is that 60%? we don't know at this stage. we have looked into rapid testing and i'm afraid it is falling off the agenda a little. though, there are some organisations looking at the possibility that rapid testing on site might be possible. there are some one or to make tests being achieved. but in the main, the insurance and the very generous cut in vat that the government planted our way down to 5% from the 20% meant that we could at least sell tickets and save some funds which would then go some way towards paying a very large insurance premium. alright, well we appreciate you getting up well we appreciate you getting up early and being on the program. steve heap, association of festival organisers. we will keep an eye on how you get on this week. also the financial markets before we wrap the program. we can see that we have seen quite a session in asia.

from a study show recovering from covert protects against infection for at least 5 months public health england trying to $20000.00 health care workers and found a previous infection provided 83 percent immunity similar to a vaccine. the world health organization is looking at introducing covert 19 vaccination passports for travelers some countries are already trialing them critics call the passports discriminatory. and w.h.o. scientists are now in the chinese city of new plan to investigate the origins of the pandemic the long delayed trip follows months of diplomatic wrangling beijing argues the virus may not have originated in the southwest as scientists suspect. but out to our science correspondent derrick williams if you've got a question here is the e-mail feedback don't english at d.f.w. dot com type expert in the subject line or leave a comment on our you tube channel. if you get a 1st back scene shot made by one developer what happens if your 2nd shelf this from a different developer. as the pandemic reaches a really critical stage in many countries in one of them britain health author

level which will happen on friday one final thought then we know that public health england which would be the regulator re body that would approve vaccine uptake in use in england anyway which has already approved the use of astra zeneca as vaccine has said that it understands this idea that there is not a great deal of data about the performance of the vaccine in the over 60 five's but that 1st analysis has been very reassuring brazil's president diables in audio has vowed to quickly vaccinate everyone in the country as his popularity falls amid to a new wave of coronavirus infections brazilians have been angered by the government's slow that scene rollout 220000 people in brazil have died after being affected also now it has been widely criticized for his handling of the pandemic is even said he won't take the vaccine himself marking an archive joins us now live from rio de janeiro monica so real change of tune from the president on the vaccine front. yes or no on the one side he's saying that he's going to vaccinate brazilians fast on the other side he's he and he's changed his tune

of the data coming out, there was some new data from public health england that came out yesterday suggesting or 50% higher than it was so both in the uk and for many other countries as well i think we need to get away from this idea that we are going to see a repeat of what happened last spring with our behaviours and really face the possibility that this is much riskier and we are going to have to work much harder to reduce the impacts. post-covid cases in hospital admissions rise, a campaign is pasted onto london's streets, carrying a stark warning. and the nhs is under severe strain. the reality of all of this is the anybody watching this report is right now is one road traffic accident away from needing someone like me to open the head and needing an intensive care bed to keep them alive afterwards. if we don't have intensive care beds and we don't have ward beds that makes this all is so much more difficult. today the mets police made 12 arrests during an anti—lockdown protest in clapham south london saying that those looking to gather would face enforcement action by officers. gets bac

the research by public health england suggests that if you've already had it — you have 83% protectionpass it on to others. 0ur science correspondent rebecca morelle has more. coronavirus is spreading fast, and the number of people who have been infected with covid is rising. this latest study looked at how likely they are to catch it again. so, what if you've already had coronavirus? does having a past infection protect you? scientists tracked more than 6,500 healthcare workers who'd already been infected with coronavirus. they found that most had protection from the virus forfive months, the duration of the study. compared with people who'd never had covid, they were 83% less likely to catch the virus again. it's the big question many have been asking. can you get covid twice? a small number of re—infections have been confirmed around the world. and this study found some, too. 44 potential cases were detected. and some had high enough levels of the virus to risk spreading it to others. there are people who've had infection, who can transmit to others. it's not 100% protective. so we'

that was fed into government policy over the last few weeks. epidemiologists, geneticists and public health england together and get this analysis done very rapidly. at the moment these are still early days result. we have only been doing this kind of analysis now for the last few weeks. but in terms of how more rapidly it spreads, we estimate the r number, the reproduction number, the number of people infected per infected individual increases by about 0.4 to 0.7. based on the situation from november roughly where the lockdown was in place, to put these numbers into perspective as it... if we would assume through the lockdown was the article was below run and the virus was decreasing, over the course of 2—3 weeks if the reduction number was 0.9, it was not quite that but let's assume that it was, over the period of time the number of infections would have decreased by something like 30%. now, if you add 0.4 to 0.7 to that r number, you go above one and you can increase and quite a steep increase. now the range is quite wide so this tripling isjust one number picked out of a large range but over th

pursuant to bring you a tweet from public health england, as you can see there against the new number we look at that figure. the positive cases you can see there. that compares with 47,525 yesterday. the small rise of about a thousand. but i think important to bear in mind but our health correspondent was saying a little earlier, that for a few days running down the number of new cases has been below 50,000, having been in the 60 thousands prior to that. so we are still seeing a drop. the first minister arlene foster has said the r—number in northern ireland has fallen to between 0.7 and 0.9 and credits the lock down introduced on boxing day with slowing the rate of transmission. let's get more on this from our correspondent in belfast, chris page. so, some good news. you know that's right. and arlene foster had the start of the news conference in the last hour, will that was the first fact that she mentioned because she said everybody did need some good news. the said everybody did need some good news. , ., news. the r number in northern ireland news. the r number in northern irelan

health secretary matt hancock. alsojoining him will be the deputy chief medical officer for england jenny harries, and susan hopkins from publicgland. we will bring that to you live. that is around five o'clock this afternoon. earlier today, the prime minister said the government will look at the "potential of relaxing some measures" before mid—february, but it is understood no changes will be made before that date. mrjohnson is under pressure from mps to set out a �*route map�* for schools to reopen, with an urgent question in the house of commons scheduled for tomorrow. meanwhile, the prime minister says he�*s �*actively working on�* a proposal requiring travellers arriving in the uk from high risk countries to pay to quarantine in a hotel. it comes as the latest figures show that a further 22,195 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the latest 24—hour period. 592 people have died within 28 days of a positive test, although the numbers are often lower after the weekend due to counting delays. more than 6.5 million people have had a first vaccine dose. and the pharmaceutical company moderna says its vaccine does pro

public health england defends the astrazeneca vaccine after germany says it will not recommend givingt to the over—65s. the government insists there will be no interruption to the uk's vaccine supplies from astrazeneca, in a continuing row with the eu about a supply shortage. singing. and, how singing classes can help people cope with the breathlessness and fatigue that comes with long covid. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. on a visit to scotland, the prime minister has thanked nhs staff and emphasised the importance of the uk working together in tackling coronavirus. of the uk working together scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon has questioned whether it's right for borisjohnson to be travelling round the country in the middle of a pandemic. downing street says its a fundamental part of the pm's job to meet people on the front line. the trip comes amid growing calls for another scottish independence referendum. our scotland correspondent james shaw reports. borisjohnson arriving for the start of his visit to scotland at the queen elizabeth university hospital in glasgow

the research by public health england suggests that if you've already had it — you have 83% protection carry the virus and pass it on to others. 0ur science correspondent rebecca morelle has more. coronavirus is spreading fast, and the number of people who have been infected with covid is rising. this latest study looked at how likely they are to catch it again. so, what if you've already had coronavirus? does having a past infection protect you? scientists tracked more than 6,500 health care workers who'd already been infected with coronavirus. they found that most had protection from the virus for five months, the duration of the study. compared with people who'd never had covid, they were 83% less likely to catch the virus again. it's the big question many have been asking. can you get covid twice? a small number of re—infections have been confirmed around the world. and this study found some, too. 44 potential cases were detected. and some had high enough levels of the virus to risk spreading it to others. there are people who've had infection, who can transmit to others. it's not

also this lunchtime, as the number of cases breaks another record, a warning from public health england as hospital pressure mounts. we know that the cases in the community are still rising, and that means we expect to see admissions to hospitals and further deaths. hard to assess, the education secretary outlines his plans for grading stu d e nts outlines his plans for grading students as gcses and a—levels are cancelled. ona cancelled. on a knife edge, with most votes counted in georgia, the democrat party looks set to gain control of the senate. yes! and digging for victory. the dramatic rescue involving the death cocker spaniel at a jcb digger. and all of the tests are past in sri la nka and all of the tests are past in sri lanka as they begin training ahead of next week's test. the prime minister says he had no choice but to introduce a new lockdown in england. the figures for covert infections are served in, and hospitals are out near breaking point. new cases it a new high of 60,000. parliament has been recalled from recess what second time to debate and retrospectively vote on t