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| Covid: UK cases top 50,000 for first time in three months | Covid: UK cases top 50,000 for first time in three months |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| More than 50,000 Covid cases have been recorded in the UK for the first time since 17 July. | |
| Amid calls for more restrictions, Boris Johnson urged people to come forward for booster jabs when their time comes. | Amid calls for more restrictions, Boris Johnson urged people to come forward for booster jabs when their time comes. |
| The prime minister said those who become eligible for a third dose of vaccine should organise an appointment straight away. | The prime minister said those who become eligible for a third dose of vaccine should organise an appointment straight away. |
| The UK recorded 52,009 new Covid cases on Thursday - alongside 115 deaths within 28 days of a positive test. | The UK recorded 52,009 new Covid cases on Thursday - alongside 115 deaths within 28 days of a positive test. |
| Mr Johnson said, despite high cases, the government was "continuing with its plan" and that things were much better now than a year ago. | |
| He said that was in large part thanks to the rollout of the vaccine, which has weakened the link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths. | |
| Reported cases on 17 July were 54,674 and came just days before the final easing of Covid restrictions in England. | |
| Doctors are demanding ministers trigger England's "Plan B" - which would reimpose rules such as mandatory face masks and working from home advice. | |
| What is Plan B for Covid this winter? | What is Plan B for Covid this winter? |
| Why are UK Covid cases so high? | Why are UK Covid cases so high? |
| When will I get a booster jab? | When will I get a booster jab? |
| Speaking in Northern Ireland, Mr Johnson said that the numbers of infections and deaths being seen were "within the parameters of what the predictions were... given the steps we've taken". | Speaking in Northern Ireland, Mr Johnson said that the numbers of infections and deaths being seen were "within the parameters of what the predictions were... given the steps we've taken". |
| It was also because the country was in an "incomparably better position than last year because of vaccines" that there was more confidence around the current plan in place," he said. | It was also because the country was in an "incomparably better position than last year because of vaccines" that there was more confidence around the current plan in place," he said. |
| He also insisted that the "most important thing people can do is get that booster jab" and that "when you get the call, get the jab". | He also insisted that the "most important thing people can do is get that booster jab" and that "when you get the call, get the jab". |
| The PM appealed for 12 to 15-years-old to get their first vaccination because there was "no shortage of supply" and there were "huge quantities" of vaccine available. | The PM appealed for 12 to 15-years-old to get their first vaccination because there was "no shortage of supply" and there were "huge quantities" of vaccine available. |
| An estimated 4.7 million booster doses - which come at least six months after second jabs - have now been delivered in the UK. | An estimated 4.7 million booster doses - which come at least six months after second jabs - have now been delivered in the UK. |
| Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said ministers were letting the "security wall against the virus... crumble" and the booster programme was "stalling". | |
| Boris Johnson on Covid: "We are sticking with our plan." | |
| Under the government's plan for tackling Covid in England over the winter, the strategy currently in operation is Plan A. | Under the government's plan for tackling Covid in England over the winter, the strategy currently in operation is Plan A. |
| It involves offering booster jabs to about 30 million people and offering a single vaccine dose to healthy 12 to 15-year-olds, as well as encouraging ventilation for indoor gatherings, hand-washing and face masks in crowded places. | It involves offering booster jabs to about 30 million people and offering a single vaccine dose to healthy 12 to 15-year-olds, as well as encouraging ventilation for indoor gatherings, hand-washing and face masks in crowded places. |
| Daily UK infections have been above 40,000 for nine days in a row. | Daily UK infections have been above 40,000 for nine days in a row. |
| Case rates are rising in all but one region of England, the UK Health Security Agency said, with the lowest rates in London. | Case rates are rising in all but one region of England, the UK Health Security Agency said, with the lowest rates in London. |
| Rates of Covid were highest in those aged 10 to 19-years-old, with the lowest seen in those over 80. | Rates of Covid were highest in those aged 10 to 19-years-old, with the lowest seen in those over 80. |
| There were 8,142 patients with Covid in hospital as of Wednesday, the latest data showed, with 872 patients with Covid in beds equipped with ventilators. | |
| 'Time is now' | |
| Dr Chaand Nagpaul, the British Medical Association chairman, said doctors can "categorically" say that the "time is now" for starting Plan B. | |
| He stressed that case numbers were comparable to March, when England was in lockdown, and were "unheard of in similar European nations". | He stressed that case numbers were comparable to March, when England was in lockdown, and were "unheard of in similar European nations". |
| "It is therefore incredibly concerning that [Mr Javid] is not willing to take immediate action to save lives and to protect the NHS," he said. | "It is therefore incredibly concerning that [Mr Javid] is not willing to take immediate action to save lives and to protect the NHS," he said. |
| But Health Secretary Sajid Javid said on Wednesday that "at this point" the government would not introduce its Plan B measures. | But Health Secretary Sajid Javid said on Wednesday that "at this point" the government would not introduce its Plan B measures. |
| However, he also warned insufficient vaccine uptake would make restrictions in England more likely. | However, he also warned insufficient vaccine uptake would make restrictions in England more likely. |
| And he said infections could soon rise to around 100,000 per day. | |
| Who will get a booster? | Who will get a booster? |
| Across the UK, booster jabs are being offered to: | Across the UK, booster jabs are being offered to: |
| Over-50s | Over-50s |
| Frontline health and social care workers | Frontline health and social care workers |
| Older adults in residential care homes | Older adults in residential care homes |
| People aged 16-49 years old with underlying health conditions which put them at greater risk of severe Covid | People aged 16-49 years old with underlying health conditions which put them at greater risk of severe Covid |
| Adults who share a household with vulnerable people | Adults who share a household with vulnerable people |
| The dose must be given at least six months after a second vaccination, and will typically be either Pfizer or Moderna. | The dose must be given at least six months after a second vaccination, and will typically be either Pfizer or Moderna. |
| Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg claimed Tory MPs do not need to wear masks when debating because they know each other, after Mr Javid urged people in England to cover their faces in crowded places. | |
| Behavioural expert, Prof Robert West, who advises the government, told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme politicians should lead the public when it comes to mask wearing. | Behavioural expert, Prof Robert West, who advises the government, told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme politicians should lead the public when it comes to mask wearing. |
| He said it gave those who are undecided "a kind of excuse if you like to say, 'If they're not doing it why should I do it?'" | He said it gave those who are undecided "a kind of excuse if you like to say, 'If they're not doing it why should I do it?'" |
| Meanwhile, Mr Johnson's official spokesman said reports that a harsher so-called Plan C for England was in the works were "not accurate". "Neither ministers nor officials are working on those proposals," he added. | Meanwhile, Mr Johnson's official spokesman said reports that a harsher so-called Plan C for England was in the works were "not accurate". "Neither ministers nor officials are working on those proposals," he added. |
| SHOULD ONE ORGANISATION HAVE SO MUCH INFLUENCE?: Stephen Nolan investigates the power of Stonewall | SHOULD ONE ORGANISATION HAVE SO MUCH INFLUENCE?: Stephen Nolan investigates the power of Stonewall |
| THE AWARD FOR MENDING THE PLANET: What is the Earthshot Prize? | THE AWARD FOR MENDING THE PLANET: What is the Earthshot Prize? |