public health | briefing. i'm joined by susan - hopkins from public health england.ectiveness of the vaccines, an update on cases of the vaccines, an update on cases of the brazilian variant of concern, and extra funding to support mental health in schools because of course on monday that marks our first step in the opening up after this lockdown. next week classrooms will once again be buzzing with activity, and i know that parents across england will be delighted, and i am sure relieved, that all children are going back to school. also from monday, i am just so pleased we are able to reopen care homes to visiting. we have put in place a very careful policy so each care home resident will be able to register a single, regular visitor who will be tested and will wear ppe but be able to visit and i know this means so much to hundreds of thousands of people with a loved one in a care home to those who live in care homes, and i'm really, really glad we are able to make this step. first, let's turn to the latest coronavirus data. this data shows the progress we've made i

thank you, secretary of state and a few moments ago public health england — few moments ago public healthd a new report summarising vaccine effectiveness to date as part of— vaccine effectiveness to date as part of the england programme. thank you for— part of the england programme. thank you for bearing with us because it has taken — you for bearing with us because it has taken a — you for bearing with us because it has taken a while for that signal to stabilise _ has taken a while for that signal to stabilise so we have enough confidence to give you some data. but equally, it is still remarkably fast and — but equally, it is still remarkably fast and a — but equally, it is still remarkably fast and a credit to a public health agencies — fast and a credit to a public health agencies that they have been able to do it in— agencies that they have been able to do it in this _ agencies that they have been able to do it in this very short period of time _ do it in this very short period of time since _ do it in this very short period of time since our vaccination programme began _ time since o

the move comes as susan hopkins, who is in charge of public health england's covid strategy, warns wed, has the details, and a warning, there are flashing images at the start of his report. at 56 years old, the prime minister himself will be part of the next stage of the vaccine roll—out. i'm going to get mine in a couple of weeks. from this week, all those in england in their late 50s will be able to book an appointment for theirfirstjab. i'm focusing on rolling out the vaccine, making sure that we get it into as many arms as possible and using that extraordinary vaccine roll—out programme to deliver a cautious but we hope irreversible road map to freedom. that's what i'm focusing on. there are 1.7 million people in the latest vaccine group in england. in total, 21.8 million people across the uk have now been given theirfirst dose. that's two fifths of all adults. we would remind everybody, it's an evergreen offer, so, if you haven't said yes the first time, you've still got an opportunity to get your vaccine and get yourself protected. public health officials say the vaccine roll—ou

well let's take a look now at some other developments in the corona virus pandemic data from public health england shows the threat of serious illnesses caused by 80 percent in seniors even after just one shot of a 2 dose vaccine the u.k. was the 1st european country to authorize covert $1000.00 shots the children's charity unicef says more than 168000000 children aren't in school to to the pandemic the executive director says the situation presents a global education emergency as we reach the one year mark since the pandemic 1st took hold in many countries and the new head of the u.s. health authority says rapidly spreading variants posed a threat of a 4th pandemic wave in the u.s. where shell wednesday is calling on americans to remain vigilant against a krone virus. well 6 books by one of the world's best loved children's authors are being pulled from publication because of racist and insensitive illustrations the caretakers of dr seuss's legacy say it's a 1st step towards promoting greater inclusion for all children some adults think the move goes too far. dr seuss's books emphasize the weird

to hartow— the move of public health england to harlow first _ the move of public health englandourable friend _ year to facilitate the move, can my right honourable friend set - year to facilitate the move, can my right honourable friend set out - year to facilitate the move, can my right honourable friend set out the| right honourable friend set out the progress _ right honourable friend set out the progress and — right honourable friend set out the progress and timings _ right honourable friend set out the progress and timings of— right honourable friend set out the progress and timings of public - progress and timings of public health — progress and timings of public health england _ progress and timings of public health england or— progress and timings of public health england or its - progress and timings of publicl health england or its successor body? — health england or its successor body? the _ health england or its successor body? the move _ health england or its successor body? the move to _ health england or its successor body? the move to harlow- health england or i

the head teachers union, the afcl, says some parents may be nervous about misinformation but public health england vital to reducing transmission. the risk of false positives is extremely low. lesson one than a thousand and we would expect that would the same risk with a pcr tests. no test is perfect and a test reveals less than one in a thousand false positives is a very good test. younger primary pupils in northern ireland are also returning tomorrow and in scotland and wales, younger primary school pupils returned last month with phase returns for more pupils on the 15th of march. for schoolchildren in england, the government says is exploring all options to make up for lost learning including longer school days and shorter holidays. but, for now, they say they simply want to privatise getting children back into school. 0ur political correspondent jessica parker is here. this is the first key stage really of boris johnson's this is the first key stage really of borisjohnson�*s road map out of lockdown in england. of boris johnson's road map out of lockdown in england.— of boris johnson's road m

public health england suggests that for every thousand carried out, between one and three will give aincorrect positive result, a so—called false positive. and with around 3.4 million state secondary school pupils in england, the number of inaccurate tests could run into many thousands. richard patton's son had a positive lateral flow test result on wednesday. his school told him to take a pcr test, which came back negative, but richard says nhs test and trace said the family still needed to isolate for 10 days. it has affected my two kids — they can't go to school. it has affected my wife and myself — i can't work from home. my wife can work from home, but it's very difficult. it's incredibly frustrating that we know this is a false positive and yet we can't do anything about it. the government says one in three people with covid don't have any symptoms, and that a quick, on the spot test like this could help identify asymptomatic cases and help stop the virus from being passed on. false positives... but some question the government's decision not to recommend a backup pcr test follo

public health england suggest that for every thousand carried out, between one and three will give antive result, a so called false positive. and with around 3.4 million state secondary school pupils in england, the number of inaccurate tests could run into many thousands. richard patton's son had a positive lateral flow test result on wednesday. his school told him to take a pcr test which came back negative, but richard says nhs test and trace said the family still needed to isolate for ten days. it has affected my two kids because they can't go to school. it has affected my wife and myself — i can't work from home. my wife can but it is very difficult. it's incredibly frustrating that we know this is a false positive and yet we can't do anything about it. the government says one in three people with covid don't have any symptoms and that a quick on the spot test like this could help identify asymptomatic cases and help stop the virus from being passed on. but some question the government's decision not to recommend a back—up pcr test following a positive result in school. we're cur

public health england suggests that for every thousand carried out, between one and three will give aincorrect positive result, a so—called false positive. and with around 3.4 million state secondary school pupils in england, the number of inaccurate tests could run into many thousands. richard patton's son had a positive lateral flow test result on wednesday. his school told him to take a pcr test, which came back negative, but richard says nhs test and trace said the family still needed to isolate for 10 days. it has affected my two kids because they can't go to school. it has affected my wife and myself — i can't work from home. my wife can but it is very difficult. it's incredibly frustrating that we know this is a false positive and yet we can't do anything about it. the government says one in three people with covid don't have any symptoms and that a quick, on the spot test like this could help identify asymptomatic cases and help stop the virus from being passed on. false positives... but some question the government's decision not to recommend a back—up pcr test following a po

this warning comes from dr mary ramsey, of public health - mary ramsey, of public health england. says it might be a long period of time until life can return to normal in the uk, she said we might have to live with less sever restrictions so mask wearing, social distancing rules for a few years, as she put it. interesting she was asked what is the single biggest risk to the vaccination programme in the uk, and she said it is the rise of the variants or mutations of the disease, in other countries, scientists are particularly concerned about one first discovered in south africa, now looks like it might be spreading in france and other european country, some it could make a vaccine less effective dr ram say saying we don't want to jeopardise the successful roll out of vaccines here by allowing them to circulate. she was asked could this impact summer holidays, she said look, it is too early to say, how this could impact everything going forward this summer. jim reed, thanks very much. buckingham palace is reviewing its diversity policies in all of the royal households. palace sourc

pandemic a time to have a look at some other developments in the coronavirus pandemic data from public health england shows the threat of serious illness is cut by 80 percent in seniors even after just one shot of 2 those vaccine u.k. was the 1st european country to authorize covert 19 shots the children's charity unicef says more than 168000000 children are not in school due to the pandemic and the executive director of course a situation a global education emergency and the new head of the u.s. health authorities says rapidly spreading variance pose the threat of a 4th pandemic wave in the u.s. are sell well and he is calling on americans to remain vigilant against the corona virus meanwhile in the u.s. president joe biden says there will be enough coronavirus vaccines to immunize all adults by the end of may that's 2 months earlier than initially forecast many states are now announcing plans to ease restrictions texas is already any to return to an almost preplanned demick normal as early as next week including lifting the state's mass mandate but some experts are warning that might be too early.

we also saw yesterday the evidence from public health england that a single dose of either vaccine providesand reduces the chances of hospitalisation by 80%, and the risk of death by 85%. so the oxford jab is safe, and the pfizerjab is safe. the thing that isn't safe is catching covid, which is why it's so important that we all get ourjabs as soon as our turn comes. and, as it happens, i'm getting mine tomorrow, and the centre where i'm getting jabbed is currently using the oxford—astrazeneca vaccine for those receiving theirfirst dose. and that's the one i'll be having. france will resume the roll—out of the astrazeneca vaccine from tomorrow. the country is facing a third wave of coronavirus, with intensive care beds in the region of paris almost completely full. the french prime minister, jean castex, has announced a regional lockdown on the capital and in other regions with high infection rates. translation: in these 16 - regions, new massive measures to restrain the epidemic will be in place on friday night at midnight, for four weeks. it's a third path that we're taking, a path which s

our colleagues at public health england are doing a greatjob ensuring that the sequencing capacity inn pick up these variants when they occur, tracing people when they need to. three cases of the variant have been detected in scotland, after passengers flew on to aberdeen. another two positive cases were found in south gloucestershire, after one person returned from brazil last month. the final case is a mystery. that person did test positive for the variant, but didn't fill in their test paperwork correctly. health officials are now asking anyone who took a test on february 12th or 13th and hasn't got a result back to contact them straightaway. part of the reason why we want to locate them quickly is to understand more about them and their movements. this appeal is a sort of belt and braces, to try and make sure we locate them as quickly as possible. this brazilian variant of coronavirus first emerged here, in the city of manaus in the amazon region. it's thought to be as contagious as the main or dominant strain in the uk, but it also has a mutation which scientists say could make i

time so, people should take that is some evidence of confidence, and then also listen to what public health englandy we are continuing to do everything we can to stop variants coming in at our borders. that is why we've got a tough regime. but were we not too slow with the hotel quarantine? i don't think so. we have moved as fast as we could to get that going. it is a very tough regime, you come here, you immediately get transported to a hotel where you are kept for ten days, 11 days, you have to test on day two, you have to test on day eight, and it is designed to stop the spread of new variants while we continue to roll out the vaccination programme. i will repeat that key point. we don't have any indication at the present time to believe that our vaccines are ineffective against me variants of all types. against new variants of all types. but there was a member for sage speaking this morning to say that the variant may actually mean that we need to roll back on opening society again. is that a possibility? i haven't heard that and our whole strategy, as you know, is to go forward in a way that i

our point of view, we were able to step up and deliver at a time when clearly the nhs and public health englando supply the product that was required. so it was sort of luck that you ended up with this contract? well, it was it was a very fortunate set of circumstances from our perspective, but i think it was also fortunate from the country's perspective. and presumably from your point of view, you could make some money as well? yes, of course, yeah. how much profit did you make? we made about an 18% margin on the transaction. so that would be what? put it into a figure for us. er, that, what is that? that's about a0 million. so, just to be clear, you made £40 million profit out of this deal? so, just to be clear, you made £40 million profit out of this deal? yes, we made £40 million of profit. we made about an 18% margin on the deal. these are normal margins for a deal of this nature. so are you comfortable making £40 million on a deal to supply the nhs with things that it needs to get through a crisis? um, as i say, we made a typical margin for a transaction of that nature. i mean, if you loo

this is a first big report from public health england looking at how well the vaccination programme isorld. in these figures are off the chart. hospitalisations down 80%. amongst people over the age of 70. most vulnerable people of all. that is just fantastic news was that basically tells us the vaccines are working absolutely every bit as well as we had hope for them and as a trials have suggested they would. we are right on track now for a really good result.— we are right on track now for a really good result. olivia, also it was based _ really good result. olivia, also it was based on — really good result. olivia, also it was based on medical— really good result. olivia, also it was based on medical data - really good result. olivia, also it was based on medical data in i really good result. olivia, also it. was based on medical data in terms of delaying the second dose of these vaccines. which has paid off. all these signs say, all this professes to say yes to go to the second dose but they weren't100% sure that this was going to have the efficacy it did when they first said we wi

let's take a look at some of the other developments in the corona virus pandemic data from public health england shows the threat of serious illness is cut by 80 percent in seniors even after just one short of a to dose vaccine the u.k. was the 1st to hear a pm country to authorize covert 900 shots the children's charity unicef says more than 168000000 children are not in school due to the pandemic the executive director says the situation presents a global education emergency as we reach the one year mark since the pandemic 1st took hold in many countries and the new head of the u.s. health authority says rapidly spreading variance pose the threat of a 4th pandemic wave in the u.s. well shovel and ski is calling on americans to remain vigilant against the coronavirus. and i was some of the other stories making headlines around the world f.b.i. director chris ray has told us lawmakers there is no evidence to support a right wing theory that the siege on the capitol building was carried out by people posing as from supporters he described the events of generous 6 domestic terrorism and vowed to h

time to take a look now at some other developments in the corona virus pandemic data from public health england shows the threat of serious illness is cut by 80 percent in seniors even after just one shot of a 2 dose vaccine the u.k. was the 1st european country to authorize kovac 1000 shots the children's charity unicef says more than 168000000 children are not in school juta the pandemic the executive director says the situation presents a global education emergency as we reach the one year mark since the pandemic 1st took hold in many countries and the new head of the u.s. health authority says a rapidly spreading variance posed a threat of a 4th pandemic wave in the united states where shell will answer is calling on americans to remain vigilant against the corona virus. well u.s. president joe biden says there'll be enough coronavirus vaccines to immunize all adults by the end of may 2 months earlier than and michigan forecast many states are now announcing plans to ease restrictions even as health experts continue to warn of the danger of new variants texas is already aiming to return to

public health england said the variant contains a number of notable mutations, including a specific proteinrnational travel and the other is still being investigated, but did not confirm where either had been found. we'll have more on this in the next 20 minutes or so. 18 minutes past eight p:m.. 0ur headlines... borisjohnson unveils a new vision for the uk's place in the world — less europe, more asia. the duke of edinburgh returns to windsor four weeks after going into hospital for an infection and undergoing a heart procedure. the police, crime, sentencing and courts bill clears its passage in parliament. it will now go to second reading with a majority of 96 votes. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's tulsen. we're always on together. i fantastic, betterfor we're always on together. i fantastic, better for seeing you. we're always on together. i fantastic, betterforseeing you. it was a ruthless display. unlike the first two matches, today's games are behind closed doors. patrick gearey reports. and then they disappeared. there were 60,000 here on sunday, now

public health england, public health - real-world trial... t we've seen that the vaccine put on hold in several countries in europe and there is a survey now showing that around 60% of people in france, 50 in germany still believe it's not safe. it france, 50 in germany still believe it's not safe-— it's not safe. it is a real shame because certainly _ it's not safe. it is a real shame because certainly in _ it's not safe. it is a real shame because certainly in our- it's not safe. it is a real shame| because certainly in our clinical trials, we showed the vaccine is very safe as well as effective. the uk regulator has a very robust way of monitoring any potential vaccine —related adverse events and both of those being used in the uk and they've not seen any signal of increased risk and even the european medicines agency and the who have very clearly stated that they should continue so it's a shame if some of the headlines and politics have gotten the way of what we all want is people to be preventing. why tricounty thing is that wives are bei

public health england data shows a single shot of either the astrazeneca oxford or the pfizer cots theof needing hospital treatment for covid by “p hospital treatment for covid by up to 80% for those of the age of 80. 5455 new infections were recorded in the last 2a hours, which is the lowest figure since september. and 14,808 people with covid in hospital, a significant drop from just a few weeks ago. a significant drop from just a few weeks ago. this a significant drop from just a few weeks ago. this all suggests the vaccines offer strong protection, some believe this could help ease restrictions earlier than planned. restrictions earlier than planned-— planned. according to government - planned. according to government policy, i planned. according to i government policy, they planned. according to - government policy, they can only shift into the future, we can only delay if the initial results of each phase of relaxation are disappointing. but i believe we should equally hold them to be advanced if the early success of the vaccine continues to outpace the assumptions which are sens

going to mutate and it's important that we keep an eye on new mutations. 0ur colleagues at public health england that the sequencing capacity in the uk is very high, so we can pick up these variants when they occur, tracing people when they need to. three cases of the variant have been detected in scotland after passengers flew on to aberdeen. another two positive cases were found in south gloucestershire, after one person returned from brazil last month. the final case is a mystery. that person did test positive for the variant but didn't fill in their test paper work correctly. health officials are now asking anyone who took a test on february 12th or 13th and hasn't got a result back to contact them straightaway. part of the reason why we want to locate them quickly is to understand more about them and their movements. this appeal is a sort of belt and braces, to try and make sure we locate them as quickly as possible. this brazilian variant of coronavirus first emerged here in the city of manaus in the amazon region. it's thought to be as contagious as the main or dominant strain in the uk,

a report today from public health england said last summer when there were travel corridors with countriess coming back into the uk with holiday—makers returning. but there is no inevitability about this. the view is that things are generally moving in the right direction in the uk. a very close watch by officials on the impact of schools reopening in england on march the 8th. you wouldn't expect any spread of infection to be picked up until a couple of weeks after that. cases going up doesn't necessarily mean that it going up doesn't necessarily mean thatitis going up doesn't necessarily mean that it is unexpected. because there is a slight breakage in the link with serious illness because of the vaccination programme being rolled out. fewer people will become seriously ill and hospital admissions we should note are down 23% week on week.— the leader of the scottish conservatives at holyrood — ruth davidson — has called for nicola sturgeon to resign as first minister, saying it was clear she misled parliament. a majority of the committee investigating the scottish government's handling of

we also saw yesterday the evidence from public health england that a single dose of either vaccine providesduces the chances of hospitalisation by 80%, and the risk of death by 85%. so the oxford jab is safe, and the pfizerjob is safe. the thing that isn't safe is catching covid, which is why it's so important that we all get ourjobs as soon as oui’ turn comes. and, as it happens, i'm getting mine tomorrow, and the centre where i'm getting jabbed is currently using the oxford—astrazeneca vaccine for those receiving theirfirst dose. and that's the one i'll be having. france will resume the roll—out of the astrazeneca vaccine from tomorrow. the country is facing a third wave of coronavirus, with intensive care beds in the region of paris almost completely full. the french prime minister, jean castex, has announced a regional lockdown on the capital and in other regions with high infection rates. translation: in these 16 regions, | new massive measures to restrain| the epidemic will be in place on friday night at midnight, for four weeks. it's a third path that we've taken, a path which should

yesterday we heard some of the new public health england — some of the new public health england reports their risk of hospitalisation or death — in their risk of hospitalisation or death. that level of protection increases _ death. that level of protection increases with the second dose, as well _ increases with the second dose, as well. whilst it will dramatically reduce — well. whilst it will dramatically reduce people? chances of ending up in hospital— reduce people? chances of ending up in hospital or gang, unfortunately it doesn't— in hospital or gang, unfortunately it doesn't completely 100% remove it. it it doesn't completely 100% remove it it is _ it doesn't completely 100% remove it. it is getting pretty close to that — it. it is getting pretty close to that i — it. it is getting pretty close to that. , ., ., that. i question from me, i saw some research this — that. i question from me, i saw some research this week _ that. i question from me, i saw some research this week that _ that. i question from me, i saw some research this week that it _ that. i question from me, i saw s

i think the public health england report— think the public health england report last year made it veryy these things— needs to take a look at why these things are — needs to take a look at why these things are happening and what we can do to prevent it which would be more thaniust_ do to prevent it which would be more thaniust a _ do to prevent it which would be more thanjust a risk do to prevent it which would be more than just a risk assessment. do to prevent it which would be more thanjust a risk assessment. | do to prevent it which would be more than just a risk assessment. ijust than just a risk assessment. i “ust wondered about i than just a risk assessment. i “ust wondered about your i than just a risk assessment. inst wondered about your colleagues, your white colleagues also, do they take this as seriously as they should? we hope that they do. i this as seriously as they should? we hope that they do.— hope that they do. i think they take it as seriously. everyone _ hope that they do. i think they take it as seriously. everyone is - hope that they do. i think they take it as se

but there's a warning from a leading expert at public health england, that despite the success of theaccine programme, people may need to wear face coverings and socially distance, for several years, until the number of cases goes down worldwide. it comes as a government minister again raised questions over whether foreign holidays will be allowed this summer. here's our health editor, hugh pym. a vaccination centre in the east midlands hard at work today, as ministers and nhs leaders praise the efforts of staff and volunteers. experts said the first phase, covering those aged 50 and over, and those with health conditions, was nearly complete. but the next stage would be important as well. the second wave of vaccinations for younger adults is partly to protect them against the disease, but also partly to suppress this infection is spreading through the community situation, and that will happen but it'll take a bit more time. so what does all this mean for shops and businesses reopening, and the freedom to meet friends and family? the road map for england from next month sets out the e

i think they need to start through public health england, through the education ministry to do more awarenessements we can make in the nhs. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. that's bbc.co.uk/sport. mps have been questioning the government's scientific advisers about the lockdown measures in england. some conservative backbenchers are urging borisjohnson to lift restrictions more quickly in england because of the progress in cutting infection levels. greg clark, who is the chair of the science and technology committee, asked if the relaxation could be sped up. if we are to be driven by data, does it follow that if the data is better than anticipated, then we can bring forward some of those real openings? i think what sir patrick laid out at the beginning was the fundamental reason _ the beginning was the fundamental reason for— the beginning was the fundamental reason for having the particular five-week— reason for having the particular five—week gaps between each of the stages _ it takes at least three weeks, possibly— it takes at l

public health england has identified the first cases in the uk of a coronavirus variant, that was firstmanaus variant may be more transmissible, and less likely to respond to a vaccine, than the original virus. five out of the six cases are linked to travel from brazil. the national medical director for nhs england, professor stephen powis, says the country is well placed to deal with them. we expected to see this, we will see lots of minor variants occurring and some will have some importance. so it is important that we continue to sequence. the good news in in the uk we have a lot of capacity to sequence samples, therefore get out a lot of want occasions in the genetic code. we have good contact tracing in place and the third bit of good news is the new vaccines being used for covid can be used very rapidly so it is very likely that if we do need to change the vaccine, they can be done in months rather than years, which was the case with more traditional vaccines. let's get some of the day's other news. the syrian army says it's destroyed most of a salvo of missiles fired at the damas

new research from warwick university and public health england says it's already saved at least 6,000he end of february. but we're still living with huge uncertainty. foreign travel, for example, remains a big unknown. the biggest risk to the epidemic in the uk now would be importation from abroad and we will have to think very hard about summer holidays and travel in the summer, but the best answer to that is to bring epidemic under control in the uk and to make vaccines available globally and then we can get travel, we can get economics and we can get all of our health and education back much, much faster. in exactly three weeks“ time the government hopes everyone in the most vulnerable groups will have been offered a firstjab. it will be a moment to celebrate, but health officials want us to know there's still a long way to go before the country can really relax. naomi grimley, bbc news. a year later than expected, the olympic torch has begun its four—month journey around japan, as it heads to the delayed opening ceremony of the 2020 summer games. the olympic flame was lit in fukus

professor at the chinese university of hong kong and chair of the global health committee for public health englandment's response to the sars outbreak back in 2003. thank you so much for your time today. why do you think there is this eu rise in infections? obviously it is a combination of factors. we have seen a slower vaccine roll—out in most of the countries in europe, we have also seen an exponential increase, which rather mirrors the exponential increase that we had in the uk in december, when the variant, the variant that was first identified in kent, took off and created our last wave of infections. and we note that france, for example, is reporting high levels of variant, as opposed to the original strain of virus. so it is about the virus is more transmissible, the vaccination rate is quite slow, people were getting ready to stop lockdown, to ease lockdown, so i think there is a sort of population issue there, and of course there is the vaccine scepticism that has been seen, which is at a higher rate in some countries. in france, than it would be in the uk. countries. in france, than it w

public health england estimates the social and economic cost of offending caused by alcohol to be aroundnow that alcohol is an enormous driver of crime in this country, not least violent crime. and it sits behind a lot of quite problematic offending. whether that is low—level acquisitive crime, violence in the public realm or even some domestic violence. and so that's why we think using this sort of technology, a really innovative way to tackle these crimes, can make a huge difference. it is hoped this kind of innovative approach will keep less serious offenders out of prison and give them a chance to turn their lives around. phil mackie, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett. it is another warm day for the time of year across much of england and wales. we don't have the blue skies that we had yesterday. quite a bit of a saharan dust in our area and there is also some high cloud around too. you can see that on the satellite picture. that has produced one or two spots of rain. most of the rain has come from that cloud. it has been very wet in highland scotland

public health england say the latest data shows the lateral flow tests only give false positive resultsd mean three —— 3500 of them being told bluntly that they had the infection and having to isolate along with their parents and siblings. and then added confusion than in other settings for example community testing positive lateral flow test would normally be confirmed by a more accurate pcr test that is sent off to a lab and regarded as the gold standard for testing. that does not apply in schools. a positive lateral flow test in a school, you have to isolate even if a subsequent pcr test comes back as negative. so quite a lot of confusion around this regime. today is a special day for many families in england — as restrictions are eased in care homes. each resident will be allowed one person who can visit them indoors — and they'll be able to hold hands, although hugging and kissing remain forbidden. luxmy gopal reports. we've waited a long time, haven't we? to come and do this. a simple act, a year ago taken for granted, now a huge step in reuniting people with their loved ones. fro

try 3 data has been collated recently, it's a so—called siren study for public health england.g for and if we have it i will publish it. from what was asked, i think we do have it, but let's try to do that so we can get it exactly what has been looked for. on the face of it, he is absolutely right, that is exactly the sort of thing we are looking for. i will try to get that right. madam deputy speaker, each step of the road map is guided by the data on the progress against the four tests. we are able to take the first step on the march the 8th when we allow face—to—face education in schools and relax the rules on to people gathering outside recreation and allow care home residents to nominate a single regular visitor supported by regular testing and ppe. the regulations before the house today eased restrictions further, again, in a careful and controlled way. they allow us to put in place the remaining measures for step one, which would come into force on monday. this means the state home rule will end and six people or two households will be able to meet outdoors in outdoor sp

and also doctor mary ramsey from public health england is head of immunisation at public health englandn of the vaccine programme. you can see that life as soon as it gets under way but that is due at 5pm. people aged 50 and over in england are being invited to book their first coronavirus vaccine. the government says that more than half of britain's adult population will have received their first shot of the jab by the end of this week. the prime minister has insisted that a "cultural and social change" in attitudes is required to ensure women are heard and protected. borisjohnson was speaking in parliament at prime minister's question time. our political correspondent, greg dawson, is at westminster for us. this is part of the continuing fallout from the desperate case around sarah everard and the protests we have seen since, explain more about what was said. it protests we have seen since, explain more about what was said.— more about what was said. it was a really striking _ more about what was said. it was a really striking exchange _ more about what was said. it was a really strik

public health england suggest that for every thousand carried out, between one and three will give a r of inaccurate tests could run into many thousands. richard's son had a positive lateral flow test result on wednesday and his school told him to take a pcr test which came back negative. but richard says nhs test and trace said the family still needed to isolate for ten days. tt needed to isolate for ten days. tit has affected my kids because they can't go to school, it has affected my wife and myself and i can't work from home. my wife can but it is very difficult. it's incredibly frustrating that we know this is a false positive and yet we can't do anything about it. the government sa s one anything about it. the government says one in — anything about it. the government says one in three _ anything about it. the government says one in three people _ anything about it. the government says one in three people would - anything about it. the government i says one in three people would covid do not have any symptoms and that a quick on the spot test like this could help identify asympt

public health england are working with the postal service to try to work out any more data points. is if they _ where it took place? part of the reason is if they had _ where it took place? part of the reason is if they had a - where it took place? part of the reason is if they had a home i where it took place? part of the l reason is if they had a home test kit or a kit given by the local authority, they have to fill in a test card for their details. that is the reason we think they have not been identified in the same way as say a pcr test would do. we are working with several data points to try to locate them, not least of course to try to highlight anyone who had a test on the 12th to come forward if they have not had a result. that forward if they have not had a result. �* ., ., result. at the moment, i imagine, this person. _ result. at the moment, i imagine, this person, maybe _ result. at the moment, i imagine, this person, maybe doesn't i result. at the moment, i imagine, this person, maybe doesn't knowl result. at the moment, i imagine, i this person, maybe doesn't know t

but time to have a look at some global developments in the coronavirus pandemic data from public health england shows the threat of serious illness is cut by 80 percent and seniors even after just one shot offered to those vaccine the u.k. was the 1st european country to authorize covert 19 shots the children's charity unicef says more than 168000000 children are not in school due to the pandemic and are calling the situation a global education emergency the new head of the u.s. health authorities says rapidly spreading variance pose the threat of a 4th pandemic wave in the u.s. and is calling on americans to remain vigilant against the corona virus. i saw reports takes us to north kivu province in the democratic republic of congo activists in the capital city goma are working to raise awareness of covert 19 because many people don't believe the virus poses a serious threat to them the country as a whole has been spared the worst of the pandemic it's officially reported $700.00 deaths and just over $20000.00 cases but it's fear the misconception about the pandemic could cause the situation to c

he referenced the report published by public health england yesterday, which showed that vaccines were to say. this morning, the office for— is what he had to say. this morning, the office for national— is what he had to say. this morning, the office for national statistics - the office for national statistics published the data on the level of protection people have. they showed that up— protection people have. they showed that up to _ protection people have. they showed that up to the 11th of february, one in four— that up to the 11th of february, one in four people are estimated to have antibodies _ in four people are estimated to have antibodies against coronavirus in england. — antibodies against coronavirus in england, up from one in five. the levels _ england, up from one in five. the levels are — england, up from one in five. the levels are highest in the over 805, the first— levels are highest in the over 805, the first group to be vaccinated, showing — the first group to be vaccinated, 5howing again the protection from the vaccine acr055 5howing again the protection from the

that is the finding of a new study from public health england.he health secretary says it is a sign the is working. france is also going to allow the astrazeneca shot to be used in the elderly. the u.s. is preparing junctions against rush over the poisoning and jailing of alexei navalny. sources tell us the measure could be unveiled as soon as today and involve the state, treasury and commerce departments. it would be president biden's first move against russia since he took office. dublin is pulling ahead of the top destination for u.k. finance firm moving to the eu after brexit. according to a study, about three dozen companies are considering the move or already made it. luxembourg comes in second, followed by frankfurt. about 7600 finance jobs are leaving the u.k. global news 24 hours a day on their and on bloomberg quicktake powered by more than 2700 journalists and analysts in over 120 countries. this is bloomberg. manus, annmarie. manus: thank you very much. coming up, talk about a possible revival of operation twist. what is the latest fr