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| Covid live: more than 325,000 in England get boosters in one day as UK chancellor rejects calls for immediate ‘plan B’ | Covid live: more than 325,000 in England get boosters in one day as UK chancellor rejects calls for immediate ‘plan B’ |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Latest updates: NHS chief says Saturday was ‘biggest day yet for Covid booster jabs’ as Rishi Sunak says Covid numbers don’t suggest action needed today | Latest updates: NHS chief says Saturday was ‘biggest day yet for Covid booster jabs’ as Rishi Sunak says Covid numbers don’t suggest action needed today |
| BBC reported Welsh ministers are considering extending the use of Covid passes for a wider range of venues. | |
| Health Minister Eluned Morgan said the government is “hugely” concerned about the high levels of Covid. Wales’ Covid-19 case rate is the highest of all of the UK nations. | |
| The move is being considered after compulsory NHS Covid passes were introduced to allow people to legally attend big events and nightclubs, the BBC reports. | |
| The Welsh government will review the Covid-19 rules this coming week ahead of an announcement on Friday. | |
| Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves told the BBC that it would like to see the government introduce its Plan B measures, which includes mask wearing and working from home. | Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves told the BBC that it would like to see the government introduce its Plan B measures, which includes mask wearing and working from home. |
| She was asked by Andrew Marr whether Plan B should be introduced now. “Yes, but let’s not let the government off the hook with Plan A either” said Ms Reeves. | She was asked by Andrew Marr whether Plan B should be introduced now. “Yes, but let’s not let the government off the hook with Plan A either” said Ms Reeves. |
| Chancellor Rishi Sunak said data didn’t lead one to suggest “immediately moving to Plan B”. | Chancellor Rishi Sunak said data didn’t lead one to suggest “immediately moving to Plan B”. |
| Ed Sheeran took to Instagram to inform his followers that he has tested positive. | Ed Sheeran took to Instagram to inform his followers that he has tested positive. |
| Sheeran said he will be unable to “plough ahead with any in-person commitments for, so I’ll be doing as many of my planned interviews/performances I can from my house.” | Sheeran said he will be unable to “plough ahead with any in-person commitments for, so I’ll be doing as many of my planned interviews/performances I can from my house.” |
| The musician added: “Apologies to anyone I’ve let down. Be safe everyone x.” | The musician added: “Apologies to anyone I’ve let down. Be safe everyone x.” |
| On 29 October Sheeran is due to release his new album. titled =. | On 29 October Sheeran is due to release his new album. titled =. |
| In Portugal, where it has one of the world’s highest coronavirus vaccination rates, it is learning to live with Covid-19 while easing its restrictions. | In Portugal, where it has one of the world’s highest coronavirus vaccination rates, it is learning to live with Covid-19 while easing its restrictions. |
| The Wall Street Journal reported the Portuguese government lifted many of its restrictions, including lifting a 30% capacity limit at stadiums imposed to control Covid-19. | The Wall Street Journal reported the Portuguese government lifted many of its restrictions, including lifting a 30% capacity limit at stadiums imposed to control Covid-19. |
| Maria Mota, executive director of Lisbon’s Institute of Molecular Medicine, said: “Almost the whole population is vaccinated here and the virus still circulates, showing it won’t go away.” | Maria Mota, executive director of Lisbon’s Institute of Molecular Medicine, said: “Almost the whole population is vaccinated here and the virus still circulates, showing it won’t go away.” |
| The Wall Street Journal reported that other countries with high vaccination rates is looking at Portugal very closely to see if this strategy will work. | The Wall Street Journal reported that other countries with high vaccination rates is looking at Portugal very closely to see if this strategy will work. |
| Russia reported 1,072 Covid-19 deaths on Sunday 24 October, days after President Vladimir Putin approved a government proposal of for a week-long shutdown to take place in the beginning of November. | Russia reported 1,072 Covid-19 deaths on Sunday 24 October, days after President Vladimir Putin approved a government proposal of for a week-long shutdown to take place in the beginning of November. |
| Russia is ranked in the top five of countries reporting the most deaths from Covid-19, according to a Reuters analysis. Reuters analysis addressed Russia having 120 people testing positive every five minutes. | Russia is ranked in the top five of countries reporting the most deaths from Covid-19, according to a Reuters analysis. Reuters analysis addressed Russia having 120 people testing positive every five minutes. |
| Hello, Streisand Neto here and I will be giving you a rundown of all the coronavirus news, starting with the latest UK case numbers. | Hello, Streisand Neto here and I will be giving you a rundown of all the coronavirus news, starting with the latest UK case numbers. |
| The latest data provided today reveals 39,962 reported to have tested positive. 328,287 tested positive within the last 7 days. The previous 7 days (11 October 2021 - 17 October 2021) had 28,206 testing positive. Today’s figure is an 9.4% increase. | The latest data provided today reveals 39,962 reported to have tested positive. 328,287 tested positive within the last 7 days. The previous 7 days (11 October 2021 - 17 October 2021) had 28,206 testing positive. Today’s figure is an 9.4% increase. |
| The latest figures also revealed 72 deaths from within 28 days of positive test. Within the last 7 days there were 949 deaths, which is an increase of 11.4% from the 97 deaths that happened from 11 October - 17 October. | The latest figures also revealed 72 deaths from within 28 days of positive test. Within the last 7 days there were 949 deaths, which is an increase of 11.4% from the 97 deaths that happened from 11 October - 17 October. |
| That’s all from me, Caroline Davies. Thank you for your time. | That’s all from me, Caroline Davies. Thank you for your time. |
| Here’s a round up of the key events today. | Here’s a round up of the key events today. |
| The UK chancellor Rishi Sunak said data did not suggest it was time to move to plan B. “We’re monitoring everything. But at the moment the data does not suggest that we should immediately be moving to plan B,” he said. | The UK chancellor Rishi Sunak said data did not suggest it was time to move to plan B. “We’re monitoring everything. But at the moment the data does not suggest that we should immediately be moving to plan B,” he said. |
| Boris Johnson said vaccines will get the country through the winter and out of the pandemic. The prime minister, who has said there are no plans for another lockdown, said: “Vaccines are our way through this winter.” | Boris Johnson said vaccines will get the country through the winter and out of the pandemic. The prime minister, who has said there are no plans for another lockdown, said: “Vaccines are our way through this winter.” |
| Prof Adam Finn, who is on the UK’s Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said Covid-19 hospital admissions and deaths are rising, and warned against complacency in what he said is a “worsening” situation. Vaccines were not going to be enough to keep the spread under control, and people need to make effort to avoid contact in order to slow transmission rates, he added. | Prof Adam Finn, who is on the UK’s Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said Covid-19 hospital admissions and deaths are rising, and warned against complacency in what he said is a “worsening” situation. Vaccines were not going to be enough to keep the spread under control, and people need to make effort to avoid contact in order to slow transmission rates, he added. |
| Chief executive of NHS England Amanda Pritchard tweeted on Sunday afternoon: “Yesterday was the biggest day yet for Covid booster jabs: more than 325,000 people getting vital protection. | Chief executive of NHS England Amanda Pritchard tweeted on Sunday afternoon: “Yesterday was the biggest day yet for Covid booster jabs: more than 325,000 people getting vital protection. |
| Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said the UK government should introduce its plan B to tackle the rising rates of coronavirus now. On whether plan B should be introduced now, she said: “Yes, but let’s not let the government off the hook with plan A either.” | Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said the UK government should introduce its plan B to tackle the rising rates of coronavirus now. On whether plan B should be introduced now, she said: “Yes, but let’s not let the government off the hook with plan A either.” |
| Dr Katherine Henderson, the president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said emergency departments in the UK are in a “terrible place”. She said: “We’re already struggling to cope”. | Dr Katherine Henderson, the president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said emergency departments in the UK are in a “terrible place”. She said: “We’re already struggling to cope”. |
| Parents in England are now able to book Covid vaccinations online for children aged between 12 and 15. Just over 2.5 million letters will arrive with parents and guardians from Monday inviting them to book a jab online through the National Booking Service. | Parents in England are now able to book Covid vaccinations online for children aged between 12 and 15. Just over 2.5 million letters will arrive with parents and guardians from Monday inviting them to book a jab online through the National Booking Service. |
| From 4am today, the coronavirus rules have been relaxed for travellers returning to England who are fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine. Just in time for half-term, fully vaccinated people arriving in England from a non-red list country can use a lateral flow test rather than the more expensive PCR version on or before day two. | From 4am today, the coronavirus rules have been relaxed for travellers returning to England who are fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine. Just in time for half-term, fully vaccinated people arriving in England from a non-red list country can use a lateral flow test rather than the more expensive PCR version on or before day two. |
| The Liberal Democrats have said the UK government should be prepared to reintroduce the furlough scheme if plan B measures are introduced. | The Liberal Democrats have said the UK government should be prepared to reintroduce the furlough scheme if plan B measures are introduced. |
| The party’s treasury spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “This Conservative government’s bungling and inaction make it look increasingly likely Covid restrictions will have to be reintroduced. If jobs are to be protected, the chancellor must ensure there is also a plan B for furlough. | The party’s treasury spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “This Conservative government’s bungling and inaction make it look increasingly likely Covid restrictions will have to be reintroduced. If jobs are to be protected, the chancellor must ensure there is also a plan B for furlough. |
| “This new wave of furlough needs to be flexible, provide support whenever businesses need it, and be targeted at the industries that will be hit hardest. Without this, many sectors of our economy could grind to a halt, putting jobs at risk and limiting our ability to invest in skills and other priorities. | “This new wave of furlough needs to be flexible, provide support whenever businesses need it, and be targeted at the industries that will be hit hardest. Without this, many sectors of our economy could grind to a halt, putting jobs at risk and limiting our ability to invest in skills and other priorities. |
| “Now is not the time to turn off the taps and say job done, it is time to step up and tell businesses we have their backs this winter.” | “Now is not the time to turn off the taps and say job done, it is time to step up and tell businesses we have their backs this winter.” |
| Five Covid-19-related deaths have been reported in Northern Ireland on Sunday, the BBC said. Deaths are measured by recording those who died within 28 days of receiving a positive result in a test for coronavirus. The total number of deaths linked to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland since the start of the pandemic is 2,661. | Five Covid-19-related deaths have been reported in Northern Ireland on Sunday, the BBC said. Deaths are measured by recording those who died within 28 days of receiving a positive result in a test for coronavirus. The total number of deaths linked to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland since the start of the pandemic is 2,661. |
| Chief executive of NHS England Amanda Pritchard tweeted on Sunday afternoon: “Yesterday was the biggest day yet for Covid booster jabs: more than 325,000 people getting vital protection. | Chief executive of NHS England Amanda Pritchard tweeted on Sunday afternoon: “Yesterday was the biggest day yet for Covid booster jabs: more than 325,000 people getting vital protection. |
| “In the past three days over 800,000 people have had their booster jab.” | “In the past three days over 800,000 people have had their booster jab.” |
| With so much talk of the UK government’s plan A and plan B, here’s a handy reminder of what they are. | With so much talk of the UK government’s plan A and plan B, here’s a handy reminder of what they are. |
| Tourists hoping to visit Jerusalem or Tel Aviv after Israel’s announcement last week that it would open to some vaccinated foreign travellers should read the fine print before booking, local hoteliers say. | Tourists hoping to visit Jerusalem or Tel Aviv after Israel’s announcement last week that it would open to some vaccinated foreign travellers should read the fine print before booking, local hoteliers say. |
| Reuters reports: | Reuters reports: |
| The new rules due to go into effect on 1 Novebmer ahead of the Christmas season, permit individual tourists who have received Covid-19 vaccine boosters to enter but not if more than six months have lapsed since their last dose, with some exceptions. That has tempered excitement among hoteliers hoping for some improvement around 20 months after Israel banned most foreigners to halt the spread of the coronavirus. | The new rules due to go into effect on 1 Novebmer ahead of the Christmas season, permit individual tourists who have received Covid-19 vaccine boosters to enter but not if more than six months have lapsed since their last dose, with some exceptions. That has tempered excitement among hoteliers hoping for some improvement around 20 months after Israel banned most foreigners to halt the spread of the coronavirus. |
| “How many tourists out in the world have actually gotten boosters or are sitting in that six-month period following their second dose?” Israel Hotel Association CEO Yael Danieli said. “Even if both parents in a family are vaccinated, their children under 12 are not, so they mostly can’t come to Israel.” | “How many tourists out in the world have actually gotten boosters or are sitting in that six-month period following their second dose?” Israel Hotel Association CEO Yael Danieli said. “Even if both parents in a family are vaccinated, their children under 12 are not, so they mostly can’t come to Israel.” |
| Israel has offered third doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab to all residents over 12. That means many would-be travellers whose last dose was before 1 May cannot enter Israel. | Israel has offered third doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab to all residents over 12. That means many would-be travellers whose last dose was before 1 May cannot enter Israel. |
| Hotel owners in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Nazareth and in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank say they have yet to see a large increase in bookings. The entry rules also apply to visitors wanting to visit the West Bank as Israel controls all the border crossings. Tourists who enter Israel are also generally able to travel to Bethlehem and other Palestinian towns. | Hotel owners in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Nazareth and in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank say they have yet to see a large increase in bookings. The entry rules also apply to visitors wanting to visit the West Bank as Israel controls all the border crossings. Tourists who enter Israel are also generally able to travel to Bethlehem and other Palestinian towns. |
| “It is a great step to start but I am not expecting big numbers until next year,” said Joey Canavati, manager of Bethlehem’s Alexander Hotel. “At the moment we just want to stop the bleeding, stop digging into our savings.” | “It is a great step to start but I am not expecting big numbers until next year,” said Joey Canavati, manager of Bethlehem’s Alexander Hotel. “At the moment we just want to stop the bleeding, stop digging into our savings.” |
| Tourism dropped over 80% in 2020 after hitting a record high of 4.55 million visitors in 2019 that contributed $7.2bn to Israel’s economy and boosted tourism-dependent Bethlehem. | Tourism dropped over 80% in 2020 after hitting a record high of 4.55 million visitors in 2019 that contributed $7.2bn to Israel’s economy and boosted tourism-dependent Bethlehem. |
| The new rules, which await ratification, include some exemptions. Entry will be granted to travellers, including children, who recovered from Covid-19 in the six months prior. Anyone who recovered earlier will also be admitted if they received least one vaccine dose approved by the World Health Organization. | The new rules, which await ratification, include some exemptions. Entry will be granted to travellers, including children, who recovered from Covid-19 in the six months prior. Anyone who recovered earlier will also be admitted if they received least one vaccine dose approved by the World Health Organization. |