4.17am EDT
04:17
Michael Savage
A million workers are still employed by businesses at risk of closure over the next three months, as the government is poised to withdraw critical Covid support schemes, according to new analysis.
One in 16 firms say that they are now at risk of closure in the next quarter, the study by the LSE’s Programme on Innovation and Diffusion (POID) has found.
While it marks a major rise in confidence since the worst depths of the pandemic in January, there are warnings that the risk to so many workers coincides with the planned end of the furlough jobs scheme and a cut to universal credit by GBP20 a week.
There are also concerns that some industries are still being hit disproportionately by the fallout from Covid, with the entertainment and travel industries still making heavier use of the furlough scheme than other sectors. The number of people being paid through the UK scheme stood at 1.9 million at the end of June and it is due to close at the end of next month.
4.15am EDT
04:15
The Philippines recorded 14,749 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, its second-largest daily increase, bringing the country’s total confirmed infections to 1.74 million.
The Department of Health also reported an additional 270 deaths, the third highest one-day rise in fatalities, increasing the death toll to 30,340.
4.12am EDT
04:12
The Austin area of Texas is in the midst of a dire Covid-19 crisis, after setting local records this week for the most patients in intensive care and on ventilators.
Only seven ICU beds remain in a region of almost 2.4 million. Statewide, hospitals are so depleted that the Texas governor, Greg Abbott, is turning to medical personnel from out of state.
Yet Abbott has expressly prohibited governmental entities like school districts, cities and counties from requiring masks or vaccines – two of the easiest, most effective weapons against the virus.
In stricken Austin, like much of Texas and other Republican-run states, rightwing governors are actively hampering the health policies that could halt the spread of the virus.
3.57am EDT
03:57
Scientists have said a vaccine-beating variant is a “realistic possibility” that could set the battle against the pandemic back a year or more amid calls for contingency plans to be revealed.
Recent papers produced by the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) have suggested that the arrival of a variant that evades vaccines is possible.
Sage backed continued work on new vaccines that reduce infection and transmission more than current jabs, the creation of more vaccine-production facilities in the UK and lab-based studies to predict evolution of variants.
With the arrival of a new variant seen as one of the main dangers that could intensify the crisis once again, prominent scientific figures stressed the risks.
Prof Graham Medley, a member of Sage and a leader of the government’s Covid modelling group, said it was “clearly something that the planners and scientists should take very seriously as it would put us back a long way”.
Updated
at 3.57am EDT
3.51am EDT
03:51
16- and 17-year-olds in England to be offered first jab by 23 August
All 16- and 17-year-olds in England are to be offered a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by Monday 23 August, the Department of Health has announced today.
Health secretary Sajid Javid said the date would give the teenagers two weeks to build up immunity before school starts again in September.
The teens will be able to get vaccinated at one of more than 800 GP-led local vaccination sites.
NHS England has launched a new online walk-in site finder to help 16- and 17-year-olds locate the nearest available centre. Further sites will come online over the coming days and weeks.
Javid said:
It is brilliant to see tens of thousands of young people have already received their vaccine – thank you for helping to further build our wall of defence against Covid-19 across the country.
I have asked the NHS in England to ensure they offer a first dose of the vaccine to everyone aged 16 and 17 by next Monday 23 August, this will make sure everybody has the opportunity to get vital protection before returning to college or sixth form.
Please don’t delay – get your jabs as soon as you can so we can continue to safely live with this virus and enjoy our freedoms by giving yourself, your family and your community the protection they need.
According to the latest data from Public Health England and Cambridge University the vaccines have already saved around 84,600 lives and prevented 23.4 million infections and 66,900 hospitalisations in England up to 6 August.
Teenagers within three months of turning 18 can book their vaccine appointment online through the National Booking Service or by calling 119. About 100,000 texts are being sent to those eligible inviting them to book their jabs.
Children aged 12 to 15 who are clinically vulnerable to Covid-19 or who live with adults who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus are also being contacted by the NHS and invited for their vaccine by 23 August, ahead of the new school year.
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said:
Young people have shown great enthusiasm to get their vaccines and this has allowed us to safely enjoy the things we have missed, such as going to the pub or seeing family and friends.
Thank you to the NHS and volunteers for your continued dedication to protect people from this virus. I urge everybody else to get their vaccines as soon as possible.
The government said it was working closely with the NHS “to make it as easy as possible to get a vaccine”, including through “grab a jab” pop-up vaccine sites across the country, such as the London-based nightclub Heaven, as well as football stadiums and festivals.
A media campaign to encourage young people to get jabbed has included partnerships with high-profile entertainment and sports personalities in short films, including film stars Jim Broadbent and Thandiwe Newton, and football figures Harry Redknapp and Chris Kamara.
The government has also partnered with dating apps, social media platforms and large companies, such as Uber and Deliveroo, on adverts and incentives to get the vaccine.
Updated
at 3.55am EDT
English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish