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Coronavirus live news: UK reports 24,470 new Covid cases; Fauci rules out new US lockdowns Coronavirus live news: UK reports 24,470 new Covid cases; Fauci rules out new US lockdowns
(32 minutes later)
Latest updates: US chief medical adviser says US won’t return to lockdowns despite rising Delta threat; both vaccine makers raise cost of jabsLatest updates: US chief medical adviser says US won’t return to lockdowns despite rising Delta threat; both vaccine makers raise cost of jabs
Lewis Hamilton believes he may still have not fully recovered from contracting Covid-19 after he experienced fatigue and dizziness at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The British driver finished third in a monumental effort to come back from last place at the Hungaroring but admitted he fears he may be suffering from long Covid.
After his immense recovery drive Hamilton missed the start of the post-race press conferences as he was being attended to by his Mercedes team doctor for fatigue.
Afterwards he admitted that he did not feel he had fully recovered from the effects of the virus he contracted in December last year.
France has reported 18 new deaths from coronavirus in hospital, Reuters reports. The country has had more than 111,000 deaths overall. It has also recorded 19,600 new Covid-19 cases. France has had more than 6.1 million cases overall.
Employers are offering signing-on fees of up to £10,000 to tempt “gold dust” applicants as more than 1.1m jobs in the UK remain unfilled, with the pingdemic worsening a shortage of workers caused by Brexit and a lack of skills.Employers are offering signing-on fees of up to £10,000 to tempt “gold dust” applicants as more than 1.1m jobs in the UK remain unfilled, with the pingdemic worsening a shortage of workers caused by Brexit and a lack of skills.
Care home operator HC One is offering a £10,000 “welcome bonus” on two jobs for registered night nurses, both in Scotland, as private health care providers battle with a shortage of workers partly caused by EU citizens returning home.Care home operator HC One is offering a £10,000 “welcome bonus” on two jobs for registered night nurses, both in Scotland, as private health care providers battle with a shortage of workers partly caused by EU citizens returning home.
Tunisia, which has one of the world’s highest coronavirus death rates, received 1.5m Covid-19 vaccine doses from Italy on Sunday, the president’s office announced.Tunisia, which has one of the world’s highest coronavirus death rates, received 1.5m Covid-19 vaccine doses from Italy on Sunday, the president’s office announced.
President Kais Saied, who a week ago dismissed the prime minister and suspended parliament, was on hand to receive the consignment and launched a stinging attack on the performance of the ousted government.President Kais Saied, who a week ago dismissed the prime minister and suspended parliament, was on hand to receive the consignment and launched a stinging attack on the performance of the ousted government.
“More than a year has gone by, meeting after meeting has been held, and yet people are being hospitalised and dying by the hundreds each day,” he said.“More than a year has gone by, meeting after meeting has been held, and yet people are being hospitalised and dying by the hundreds each day,” he said.
The North African country of almost 12 million inhabitants has suffered close to 20,000 Covid-related deaths, AFP reports.The North African country of almost 12 million inhabitants has suffered close to 20,000 Covid-related deaths, AFP reports.
The US will not lock down again to curb Covid-19 but “things are going to get worse” as the Delta variant fuels a surge in cases, mostly among the unvaccinated, top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci said.The US will not lock down again to curb Covid-19 but “things are going to get worse” as the Delta variant fuels a surge in cases, mostly among the unvaccinated, top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci said.
A sufficient percentage of Americans have now been vaccinated to avoid lockdowns, Fauci said on ABC’s This Week, Reuters reports.A sufficient percentage of Americans have now been vaccinated to avoid lockdowns, Fauci said on ABC’s This Week, Reuters reports.
“Not enough to crush the outbreak, but I believe enough to not allow us to get into the situation we were in last winter,” he said.“Not enough to crush the outbreak, but I believe enough to not allow us to get into the situation we were in last winter,” he said.
Last August, it was “eat out to help out”, launched by a beaming and maskless chancellor in Wagamama on London’s South Bank, carrying plates of noodles to nonplussed customers. This year, it’s “fly out to help out”.Last August, it was “eat out to help out”, launched by a beaming and maskless chancellor in Wagamama on London’s South Bank, carrying plates of noodles to nonplussed customers. This year, it’s “fly out to help out”.
With just a few weeks left of the school summer holidays, the airline and tourism industries are facing another bleak summer.With just a few weeks left of the school summer holidays, the airline and tourism industries are facing another bleak summer.
As the threat of possible new restrictions hangs over holidays, and the costs of testing prove prohibitive for many families, many have decided to take their vacation in the UK, even though travel restrictions will ease for fully vaccinated travellers from 16 August.As the threat of possible new restrictions hangs over holidays, and the costs of testing prove prohibitive for many families, many have decided to take their vacation in the UK, even though travel restrictions will ease for fully vaccinated travellers from 16 August.
Sunak is preaching to the choir in his letter to the prime minister demanding an even greater relaxation of travel rules to save summer holidays abroad, despite notes of caution from scientists and some in the Department of Health about the perils of possibly importing new variants.Sunak is preaching to the choir in his letter to the prime minister demanding an even greater relaxation of travel rules to save summer holidays abroad, despite notes of caution from scientists and some in the Department of Health about the perils of possibly importing new variants.
Thousands of anti-lockdown demonstrators defied a court-ordered protest ban on Sunday and gathered in the streets of Berlin, resulting in scuffles with police.Thousands of anti-lockdown demonstrators defied a court-ordered protest ban on Sunday and gathered in the streets of Berlin, resulting in scuffles with police.
Police said some protesters had “harassed and attacked” officers and ignored roadblocks, disrupting traffic in parts of the German capital, AFP reports.Police said some protesters had “harassed and attacked” officers and ignored roadblocks, disrupting traffic in parts of the German capital, AFP reports.
“They tried to break through the police chain and pull out our colleagues. This led to the use of irritants, batons and physical violence,” Berlin police tweeted.“They tried to break through the police chain and pull out our colleagues. This led to the use of irritants, batons and physical violence,” Berlin police tweeted.
Several people were arrested, they added.Several people were arrested, they added.
The protest was called by the “Querdenker” (Lateral Thinkers) movement, which has emerged as the loudest voice against Germany’s coronavirus restrictions.The protest was called by the “Querdenker” (Lateral Thinkers) movement, which has emerged as the loudest voice against Germany’s coronavirus restrictions.
Judges had banned several of its planned demos this weekend, including one for Sunday that was expected to draw about 22,500 people.Judges had banned several of its planned demos this weekend, including one for Sunday that was expected to draw about 22,500 people.
Scientists have said that the lifting of restrictions for fully vaccinated arrivals to the UK from the EU and US, which begins from Monday, is not without risk.Scientists have said that the lifting of restrictions for fully vaccinated arrivals to the UK from the EU and US, which begins from Monday, is not without risk.
From 4am on Monday, those who have been fully vaccinated in the US and Europe will be treated the same as British residents, meaning arrivals from amber list countries will not have to quarantine when entering England, or test on day eight after arrival.From 4am on Monday, those who have been fully vaccinated in the US and Europe will be treated the same as British residents, meaning arrivals from amber list countries will not have to quarantine when entering England, or test on day eight after arrival.
Instead, they will only be required to complete a pre-departure test and PCR test on or before the second day after arrival – although different rules will apply to those travelling from France.Instead, they will only be required to complete a pre-departure test and PCR test on or before the second day after arrival – although different rules will apply to those travelling from France.
While the shift is likely to be welcomed by travellers, scientists have sounded a note of caution.While the shift is likely to be welcomed by travellers, scientists have sounded a note of caution.
Prof Rowland Kao, an epidemiologist at Edinburgh University, said the risk lies in simultaneously opening up borders to fully vaccinated people while allowing the virus to spread so that large numbers of the population in the UK are infected.Prof Rowland Kao, an epidemiologist at Edinburgh University, said the risk lies in simultaneously opening up borders to fully vaccinated people while allowing the virus to spread so that large numbers of the population in the UK are infected.
Germany plans to start offering Covid-19 booster shots to the elderly and at-risk from 1 September, according to a draft document seen by AFP.Germany plans to start offering Covid-19 booster shots to the elderly and at-risk from 1 September, according to a draft document seen by AFP.
The plan also recommends promoting vaccination for those aged 12-17, which would go further than earlier guidance issued by the country’s vaccine regulator.The plan also recommends promoting vaccination for those aged 12-17, which would go further than earlier guidance issued by the country’s vaccine regulator.
Health minister Jens Spahn and Germany’s 16 regional health ministers are expected to finalise the plans, drawn up by ministry officials, in a meeting Monday.Health minister Jens Spahn and Germany’s 16 regional health ministers are expected to finalise the plans, drawn up by ministry officials, in a meeting Monday.
Mobile vaccination teams will be sent into care and nursing homes to offer Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna booster shots to residents, regardless of which vaccine they had originally, says the document.Mobile vaccination teams will be sent into care and nursing homes to offer Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna booster shots to residents, regardless of which vaccine they had originally, says the document.
Some more data from Italy:Some more data from Italy:
Patients in hospital with Covid-19 - not including those in intensive care - stood at 1,954 on Sunday, up from 1,851 a day earlier.Patients in hospital with Covid-19 - not including those in intensive care - stood at 1,954 on Sunday, up from 1,851 a day earlier.
There were 22 new admissions to intensive care units, down from 25 on Saturday, and the total number of intensive care patients increased to 230 from a previous 214, Reuters reports.There were 22 new admissions to intensive care units, down from 25 on Saturday, and the total number of intensive care patients increased to 230 from a previous 214, Reuters reports.
Some 167,761 tests for Covid-19 were carried out in the past day, up from a previous 264,860, the health ministry said.Some 167,761 tests for Covid-19 were carried out in the past day, up from a previous 264,860, the health ministry said.
Italy reported five coronavirus-related deaths on Sunday, down from 16 the day before, the health ministry said.Italy reported five coronavirus-related deaths on Sunday, down from 16 the day before, the health ministry said.
The daily tally of new infections fell to 5,321 on Sunday compared with 6,513 the previous day.The daily tally of new infections fell to 5,321 on Sunday compared with 6,513 the previous day.
Italy has registered 128,068 deaths linked to Covid-19 since its outbreak emerged in February last year, Reuters reports.Italy has registered 128,068 deaths linked to Covid-19 since its outbreak emerged in February last year, Reuters reports.
The country has reported 4.355 million cases to date.The country has reported 4.355 million cases to date.
The UK has registered 24,470 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours.
There were 911 further hospitalisations and 65 more people have died within 28 days of a positive test.
A fall in case numbers last month raised hopes that Britain may be reaching herd immunity, but experts warn against complacency, given uncertainty about new variants and autumn’s return to school.
Dominic Raab said the UK’s spare donated vaccine doses were starting to be used after being shipped out last week.
The foreign secretary tweeted: “Pleased to see the first of nine million Covid-19 vaccines the UK sent overseas this week going in arms in Jamaica.”
He added that vaccines were also on the way to Kenya, Guyana, Belize, Laos and elsewhere.
More than 85 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine have been administered across the UK, the latest figures show.
A total of 85,196,986 doses have been administered in the UK, with 46,851,145 people receiving a first dose (88.6%) and 38,345,841 people receiving both doses (72.5%).
The latest data from Public Health England (PHE) and Cambridge University shows that around 60,000 deaths, 22 million infections and 52,600 hospitalisations have been prevented by vaccines up to 23 July.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:
Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi added:
The NHS in England is facing pressure to redistribute tens of thousands of vaccine doses nearing expiry as demand from younger adults drops.
An internal email seen by the Guardian warned of 170,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine at risk of expiry within the next fortnight, as doctors across England have raised alarm at the unpredictability of vaccine take-up among young people meaning more doses will go to waste.
The government is to unveil a raft of new initiatives to increase vaccine uptake among young people, including discounts on car-hailing companies such as Uber and Bolt, as well as the delivery service Deliveroo.
It is understood the NHS has managed to redistribute 40,000 of the spare Moderna jabs. However, concerns have been raised about the number of jabs wasted as uptake slows among younger people eligible for the Moderna and Pfizer jabs.
The Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation recommends an interval of eight to 12 weeks between doses, initially as a way to offer more people first doses because of limited supply, but studies have since shown that the larger gap could give longer protection.
One NHS doctor in the north-east, Dr Alison George, said colleagues had been forced to routinely discard Pfizer doses, rather than give second shots early to people who requested them. “We have very high rates of infection here and the local hospital is already under significant pressure with some elective surgery cancelled,” the GP said.
“Wastage at this stage of unlocking is wholly unjustified and to turn young people away as well is, in my opinion, completely unforgivable.”
Read the full story here:
In the UK, Labour shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon accused the government of being “in chaos over their border policy” following reports the Chancellor has written to Boris Johnson to call for travel restrictions to be eased.
McMcahon said:
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“I don’t think we’re going to see lockdowns,” said Fauci, who is Chief Medical Avisor to US President Biden.
“I think we have enough of the percentage of people in the country – not enough to crush the outbreak – but I believe enough to not allow us to get into the situation we were in last winter.”
Although Fauci does not think the United States will need to shut down again as it did last year, he warned on ABC that “things are going to get worse” as the Delta variant continues to spread.
An internal report compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the Delta variant spreads much faster, is more likely to infect the vaccinated, and could potentially trigger more severe illness in the unvaccinated compared with all other known variants.
Fauci added: “We have 100 million people in this country who are eligible to be vaccinated who are not getting vaccinated.”
US President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci has told ABC News he does not expect the United States will be returning to lockdowns, despite the growing risks of Covid-19 infections posed by the Delta variant.
In Italy and France, vaccine passport proposals have prompted thousands to take to the streets – clashing with police in some places – to show their opposition to plans that would require vaccination cards for normal social activities such as dining indoors at restaurants, visiting museums, and cheering in sports stadiums.
Protests continued in both countries this weekend, with thousands demonstrating in Paris and other French cities on Saturday, while Italy saw marches in Rome, Milan and Naples for a second consecutive week.
See below for the full story: