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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 |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Latest updates: adults aged 40-49 will be next in line for vaccine across UK but heads call for reassurance before schools return | Latest updates: adults aged 40-49 will be next in line for vaccine across UK but heads call for reassurance before schools return |
| Festival organisers are calling for government-backed insurance in case events have to be cancelled last minute, ahead of chancellor Rishi Sunak’s budget announcement next week. | |
| Paul Reed, chief executive of the Association of Independent Festivals, said: “Insurance is more critical than ever and it is something we have been pushing for as a sector for many months. We welcome the roadmap, but the 2021 festival season is not guaranteed. There is still a chance of cancellations.” | |
| He said it was an “enormous risk” for independent businesses to go forward without insurance, as the cost of staging an event was about £6m. “There are essential costs to be met for it to get signed off. It is not just about artist or production deposits, where there may be flexibility, but there are essential costs like medical provision,” he said. | |
| It comes as festival organisers are enjoying record ticket sales after the government’s announcement of its roadmap out of lockdown in England, as punters prepare to “make up for lost time” despite uncertainty over what state support exists if last-minute cancellations have to take place. | |
| Monday’s announcement triggered a 600% rise in traffic to Ticketmaster this week, said the managing director of the site’s UK wing, Andrew Parsons, and there was no sign of it slowing down. | |
| Sacha Lord, the co-founder of Parklife festival and the Warehouse Project, and night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester said: “Let’s follow in the footsteps of other countries, where there is an insurance indemnity policy. We are not expecting a free handout and we will pay a small percentage of the turnover figure. Putting a festival on is hard without insurance in place, that is why Glastonbury cancelled.” | |
| Lord said he was expecting news on insurance at Rishi Sunak’s next budget on 3 March. “This coming Wednesday is the most critical day of my 26-year career. For those who work behind the scenes, it will be make or break. They need hope.” | |
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| A leading blood cancer charity has said it is “hard to accept” that those who live with clinically extremely vulnerable people will not be prioritised in the next phase of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout. | |
| There are 230,000 people with blood cancer in the UK who are in the “clinically extremely vulnerable” group, and blood cancer increases your risk from Covid by more than almost any other health condition. | There are 230,000 people with blood cancer in the UK who are in the “clinically extremely vulnerable” group, and blood cancer increases your risk from Covid by more than almost any other health condition. |
| Many of them are anxious about their household members bringing the virus into the home, and so vaccinating the people they live with is important for protecting them, the charity said. | Many of them are anxious about their household members bringing the virus into the home, and so vaccinating the people they live with is important for protecting them, the charity said. |
| Gemma Peters, chief executive of Blood Cancer UK, said: | Gemma Peters, chief executive of Blood Cancer UK, said: |
| She added that it was difficult to avoid the conclusion that by refusing to act in the absence of absolute certainty about transmission, the JCVI have “made a bad decision that will needlessly put the lives of people with blood cancer at risk”. | She added that it was difficult to avoid the conclusion that by refusing to act in the absence of absolute certainty about transmission, the JCVI have “made a bad decision that will needlessly put the lives of people with blood cancer at risk”. |
| The R number across the UK has not changed since last week and is still between 0.6 and 0.9, according to the latest government figures. | The R number across the UK has not changed since last week and is still between 0.6 and 0.9, according to the latest government figures. |
| The R value – the coronavirus reproduction number – represents the average number of people each person with Covid-19 goes on to infect. | The R value – the coronavirus reproduction number – represents the average number of people each person with Covid-19 goes on to infect. |
| A figure below 1 implies the epidemic is shrinking. | A figure below 1 implies the epidemic is shrinking. |
| An R number between 0.6 and 0.9 means that, on average, every 10 people infected will infect between six and nine further people. | An R number between 0.6 and 0.9 means that, on average, every 10 people infected will infect between six and nine further people. |
| The lower end of the UK’s coronavirus R estimate is 0.6 – which is the lowest R range seen since the government first started publishing the figures in May 2020. | The lower end of the UK’s coronavirus R estimate is 0.6 – which is the lowest R range seen since the government first started publishing the figures in May 2020. |
| New cases of coronavirus continued to fall across the UK in the week ending 19 February, according to the Office for National Statistics. | New cases of coronavirus continued to fall across the UK in the week ending 19 February, according to the Office for National Statistics. |
| Based on swab tests in the community – so excluding places such as hospitals, care homes and prisons – the ONS estimate 373,700 people in England had Covid over the seven day period, or about one in 145 people. That is down from the previous week when the estimate stood at 481,000 people, or one in 115, and the lowest since 2 to 8 October, when one in 160 were estimated to have the disease. | Based on swab tests in the community – so excluding places such as hospitals, care homes and prisons – the ONS estimate 373,700 people in England had Covid over the seven day period, or about one in 145 people. That is down from the previous week when the estimate stood at 481,000 people, or one in 115, and the lowest since 2 to 8 October, when one in 160 were estimated to have the disease. |
| Similar declines were seen around the UK where the proportion of people estimated to be infected in the week ending 19 February stood at one in 225 in Scotland, one in 205 in Wales and one in 195 in Northern Ireland. | Similar declines were seen around the UK where the proportion of people estimated to be infected in the week ending 19 February stood at one in 225 in Scotland, one in 205 in Wales and one in 195 in Northern Ireland. |
| In England, the percentage of people testing positive for the virus, and cases of the more transmissible “Kent variant”, have fallen in all regions apart from Yorkshire and the Humber where the trends are flat, suggesting the lockdown is not having the same impact on the epidemic there as it is elsewhere. | In England, the percentage of people testing positive for the virus, and cases of the more transmissible “Kent variant”, have fallen in all regions apart from Yorkshire and the Humber where the trends are flat, suggesting the lockdown is not having the same impact on the epidemic there as it is elsewhere. |
| The highest rates of infection were estimated to be in the North West with one in 110 infected during the week studied, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber with one in 120 infected. In London, the rate stood at one in 125 with the lowest infections in the South West at one in 240. | The highest rates of infection were estimated to be in the North West with one in 110 infected during the week studied, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber with one in 120 infected. In London, the rate stood at one in 125 with the lowest infections in the South West at one in 240. |
| Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Sage put the latest UK reproduction number, R, at between 0.6 and 0.9 – the same range as last week, adding that the number of new infections was shrinking at 2-6% every day, a slight slowing on last week’s rate of 3-6%. | Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Sage put the latest UK reproduction number, R, at between 0.6 and 0.9 – the same range as last week, adding that the number of new infections was shrinking at 2-6% every day, a slight slowing on last week’s rate of 3-6%. |
| Downing Street has defended the decision not to prioritise key workers such as police officers in the next phase of the coronavirus vaccine rollout. | 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: | A No 10 spokesman said: |
| You can read more on this story here: | You can read more on this story here: |
| 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, 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.” | “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 has said suggestions that Uefa is considering holding the European Championships entirely in England following its successful vaccination drive are “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 Media 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. |
| 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). | 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: |