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UK Covid live news: school leaders 'disappointed' that teachers will not be prioritised in new vaccination wave UK Covid live news: school leaders 'disappointed' that teachers will not be prioritised in new vaccination wave
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Latest updates: scientific advisers say sticking with age-based approach would provide ‘greatest benefit in shortest time’ Latest updates: scientific advisers say sticking with age-based approach will provide ‘greatest benefit in shortest time’
Downing Street has defended the decision not to prioritise key workers such as police officers in the next phase of the coronavirus vaccine rollout.
A No 10 spokesman said:
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Festival organisers are enjoying record ticket sales after the government’s announcement of its roadmap out of lockdown, despite uncertainty over what state support exists if last-minute cancellations have to take place.Festival organisers are enjoying record ticket sales after the government’s announcement of its roadmap out of lockdown, despite uncertainty over what state support exists if last-minute cancellations have to take place.
“Lots of our members have seen sale spikes since Monday, which has generated lots of consumer confidence,” said Paul Reed, chief executive of the Association of Independent Festivals. “There is a huge appetite for live experiences and I don’t think that is surprising. It’s about communal experiences, being outdoors in groups.” “Lots of our members have seen sale spikes since Monday, which has generated lots of consumer confidence,” said Paul Reed, the chief executive of the Association of Independent Festivals. “There is a huge appetite for live experiences and I don’t think that is surprising. It’s about communal experiences, being outdoors in groups.”
Despite the excitement, however, organisers are concerned about the potential of last-minute cancellations, as the coming months are filled with uncertainty. They are calling for a government-backed insurance scheme so that if they have to change plans, they will not lose all their investment.Despite the excitement, however, organisers are concerned about the potential of last-minute cancellations, as the coming months are filled with uncertainty. They are calling for a government-backed insurance scheme so that if they have to change plans, they will not lose all their investment.
Read the full story here:Read the full story here:
Downing Street said suggestions that Uefa is considering holding the European Championships entirely in England following its successful vaccination drive were “speculation”. Downing Street has said suggestions that Uefa is considering holding the European Championships entirely in England following its successful vaccination drive are “speculation”.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister told reporters: A spokesman for the prime minister told reporters:
Public Health Wales said a total of 902,334 first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine had now been given, an increase of 13,064 from the previous day.Public Health Wales said a total of 902,334 first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine had now been given, an increase of 13,064 from the previous day.
The agency said 80,062 second doses had also been given, an increase of 10,211, PA news reports. The agency said 80,062 second doses had also been given, an increase of 10,211, PA Media reports.
In total, 91% of over-80s in Wales have received their first dose, along with 93.2% of those aged 75-79 and 92.7% of those aged 70-74.In total, 91% of over-80s in Wales have received their first dose, along with 93.2% of those aged 75-79 and 92.7% of those aged 70-74.
For care homes, 85.8% of residents and 83% of staff have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.For care homes, 85.8% of residents and 83% of staff have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Public Health Wales said 87% of people in the clinically extremely vulnerable category had received their first dose.Public Health Wales said 87% of people in the clinically extremely vulnerable category had received their first dose.
There have been a further 308 cases of coronavirus in Wales, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 203,108.There have been a further 308 cases of coronavirus in Wales, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 203,108.
Around one in 145 people in private households in England had Covid-19 between February 13 and 19, according to new estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). About one in 145 people in private households in England had Covid-19 between February 13 and 19, according to new estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
This is down from about one in 115 people for the period February 6-12, PA news reports.This is down from about one in 115 people for the period February 6-12, PA news reports.
It is the lowest figure since October 2-8, when the estimate also stood at one in 160 people.It is the lowest figure since October 2-8, when the estimate also stood at one in 160 people.
Professor Wei Shen Lim, Covid-19 chair for JCVI, said he was concerned about groups of people not taking up the offer to be vaccinated.Professor Wei Shen Lim, Covid-19 chair for JCVI, said he was concerned about groups of people not taking up the offer to be vaccinated.
He told the Downing Street press conference about the next phase of the rollout:He told the Downing Street press conference about the next phase of the rollout:
When asked about whether the priorities of the vaccination programme will continue to be reviewed, he added:When asked about whether the priorities of the vaccination programme will continue to be reviewed, he added:
The national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales has called the decision not to prioritise officers in the next phase of the coronavirus vaccination programme a “deep and damaging betrayal” which “will not be forgotten”.The national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales has called the decision not to prioritise officers in the next phase of the coronavirus vaccination programme a “deep and damaging betrayal” which “will not be forgotten”.
John Apter told the PA news agency:John Apter told the PA news agency:
School leaders are not happy with the JCVI decision not to target teachers and other school staff in the next wave of vaccinations in England.School leaders are not happy with the JCVI decision not to target teachers and other school staff in the next wave of vaccinations in England.
Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said his members were “disappointed” by the news:Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said his members were “disappointed” by the news:
The announcement follows the Department for Education’s admission that neither Covid tests nor mask-wearing among secondary school pupils will be compulsory when pupils return from 8 March.The announcement follows the Department for Education’s admission that neither Covid tests nor mask-wearing among secondary school pupils will be compulsory when pupils return from 8 March.
And it follows the most recent ONS data showing that teachers were at greater risk of testing positive for Covid than most other occupations, contrary to assurances from the government.And it follows the most recent ONS data showing that teachers were at greater risk of testing positive for Covid than most other occupations, contrary to assurances from the government.
The decision not to prioritise all people with asthma, who are not already in group four and six, “ignores the evidence”, the UK’s leading asthma and lung charities has said.The decision not to prioritise all people with asthma, who are not already in group four and six, “ignores the evidence”, the UK’s leading asthma and lung charities has said.
Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, said the decision to continue with the age-based approach to phase 2 of the vaccine rollout would leave many people with asthma left feeling “anxious and angry”.Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, said the decision to continue with the age-based approach to phase 2 of the vaccine rollout would leave many people with asthma left feeling “anxious and angry”.
She said:She said:
Manchester Pride will be going ahead with an in-person event this year, its organisers have confirmed.Manchester Pride will be going ahead with an in-person event this year, its organisers have confirmed.
The annual LGBT+ festival, which is held over the August bank holiday and involves a concert and a parade through the streets of Manchester, is one of the biggest Pride events in the UK.The annual LGBT+ festival, which is held over the August bank holiday and involves a concert and a parade through the streets of Manchester, is one of the biggest Pride events in the UK.
The charity behind Manchester Pride said there are plans to switch to a socially-distanced and digital back-up event if an in-person festival is not possible.The charity behind Manchester Pride said there are plans to switch to a socially-distanced and digital back-up event if an in-person festival is not possible.
Mark Fletcher, chief executive of Manchester Pride, said:Mark Fletcher, chief executive of Manchester Pride, said:
Professor Wei Shen Lim, Covid-19 chair for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said opting to keep with an age-based priority system for phase two of the vaccine programme meant it would be simpler to administer.Professor Wei Shen Lim, Covid-19 chair for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said opting to keep with an age-based priority system for phase two of the vaccine programme meant it would be simpler to administer.
He told a Downing Street press briefing:He told a Downing Street press briefing: