sakthi karunanithi, thank you very much i karunanithi, thank you very much indeed forjoining us on bbcavirus vaccines have saved thousands of lives. the figures showed almost 12,000 lives were saved in england and around 33,000 hospital admissions were prevented. they looked at data to the end of april compared with the number of expected deaths if the vaccine was not in use. this method found most deaths were prevented in people in their 80s. holidaymakers hoping to fly to portugalfrom next week are facing uncertainty — after the country announced it was extending its current lockdown until 30th may. holiday bookings for portugal surged last week after it was one of just 12 countries placed on the uk's green list — meaning no quarantine was required on return. 0ur correspondent in portugal alison roberts reports. it's an extension of the state that was already in place. in fact, the lockdown restrictions who have pretty well all gone that were imposed in mid—january. the situation in portugal is relatively good compared to the rest of the european union in terms of incidents and covid

well, to discuss the current situation in the lancashire area, we can speak now to dr sakthi karunanithi that more areas for vulnerable the covid _ area? yes, the idea that more areas for vulnerable the covid is _ area? yes, the idea that more areas for vulnerable the covid is bearing i for vulnerable the covid is bearing up for vulnerable the covid is bearing up again and lancashire is very close to the bolton areas and we are starting to see case rates about 1500 and the positivity rate are about 2%. that is similar to near areas at the moment. so we are taking lots of steps in addressing that and that is the anxiety we have that and that is the anxiety we have that within the next couple of weeks we all want a cd case rates flattening and going down. what are our ho es flattening and going down. what are your hopes on _ flattening and going down. what are your hopes on how— flattening and going down. what are your hopes on how vaccination - flattening and going down. what are your hopes on how vaccination could help with that? it will take time to roll out vaccinations, i understand f