LATERAL flow tests WILL remain free for Brits, despite recent reports that they will be scaled back leading to a barrage of criticism.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi has insisted the tests will still be available to order for free amid suggestions they could be scaled back despite soaring coronavirus cases.
The Cabinet minister said he is "puzzled" by a report suggesting that their universal availability could be axed as they are limited to high-risk settings and for people with symptoms.
The Sunday Times reported that Prime Minister Boris Johnson would make the announcement within weeks, while the NHS Test and Trace system could also be scaled back.
But Mr Zahawi told Sky's Trevor Phillips on Sunday: "I saw that story this morning, which I was slightly puzzled by because I don't recognise it at all. This is absolutely not where we are at. For January alone 425 million lateral flow tests (are) coming in and they will continue to be available for free. I don't really recognise where that story is coming from."
Asked whether there are plans to stop lateral flow tests being free, he said: "Absolutely not."
Read our Covid-19 live blog for the latest news and updates…
- Joseph Gamp
Novak Djokovic lawyers claim tennis ace ‘shocked and confused’
NOVAK Djokovic was subjected to an eight-hour ordeal where he was deliberately sleep-deprived and confused by Australian border officials, his lawyers claim.
The antivaxxer's legal team said he only relented and agreed to the cancellation of his visa because he was shocked and muddled by the turmoil.
They argue pressure allegedly put onto the tennis ace to agree without advice from a legal rep was unlawful.
Djokovic, 34, is facing the boot from the Australian Open after his visa was sensationally revoked on Wednesday.
The claims come in court documents submitted ahead of the 34-year-old's trial tomorrow, with solicitors claiming he was unfairly pressured into the decision.
Read more here.
- Joseph Gamp
Covid isolation ‘doing more harm than good’
Ministers have found themselves under mounting pressure to cut the self-isolation period because of the devastating knock on effect it is having on the health service and other workforces.
Before Christmas, Health Secretary Sajid Javid cut the number of isolation days from 10 to seven – provided people test negative on days six and seven.
Workers across the country have been stuck at home for a week due to the isolation measures, but experts are calling for it to be slashed again to help release pressure.
Half of the schools in England have already turned to supply teachers to get the cover they need because of staff absences.
Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, told the Daily Mail: “Almost half of transmissions happen before people develop symptoms and most will no longer be infectious three or four days after they become ill.
“Reducing the length of the isolation period to five days is unlikely to make much difference to the pandemic but would have a positive impact on the economy and the running of the NHS, transport and other vital services.”
- Joseph Gamp
Scotland not considering further reduction of quarantine period
Holyrood Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has said Scotland is not considering further reducing its quarantine period after UK Government Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi backed dropping England's isolation from seven days to five.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Sunday, Mr Yousaf said it had already been a risky move for the Scottish Government to limit the isolation period from 10 days to seven.
"The reason why we have made that decision – and it's important to say that the UK nations all moved at a different pace on this – is that it's not a risk-free option," he said.
"It's not that there isn't a risk attached with going from 10 days to seven days, there is a risk.
"It's just that we wanted time to consider whether or not we would, inadvertently, for example, accelerate the transmission of the virus by cutting that isolation period."
- Joseph Gamp
Omicron peaked in London over New Year says health chief
The spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus is thought to have peaked in London over the new year period, the capital's director of public health has said.
Professor Kevin Fenton, Public Health England's regional director for London, said case rates were falling across the city.
He warned that data suggested nearly one in 10 Londoners are still infected with the virus and the "critical phase" of the pandemic is not yet over.
Speaking to Sky News' Trevor Phillips on Sunday, Prof Fenton said: "We think we may have passed or are at the peak.
"Data from the ONS suggests that the peak may have occurred at or just about new year period and we're seeing reductions in overall case rates across the city and the prevalence of infections within the community."
- Joseph Gamp
Education minister backs changes to isolation rules (continued…)
Mr Zahawi's comments come after parents were urged to book jabs for their children as official Covid deaths passed 150,000 in the UK.
Around half a million vaccination appointments are being made available online in England for the 12 to 15-year-olds during January, a senior doctor has said – with slots available at around 500 walk-in sites and 300 centres.
With the official Covid death total reached 150,057, the UK is the seventh country to pass the milestone – following the US, Brazil, India, Russia, Mexico and Peru.
It also follows reports that universal free lateral flow tests may be scaled back. The Sunday Times reported they could be limited to high-risk settings – such as care homes, hospitals and schools – and to people with symptoms.
An announcement could come within weeks and include a scaling back of the NHS Test and Trace system, the paper said.
The report has been disputed by Government sources who say it is too early to say what will happen with free lateral flows.
- Joseph Gamp
Minister backs reduction of Covid isolation period to five days
Nadhim Zahawi has become the first Government Minister to publicly support the reduction of the Covid isolation period from seven to five days, which he said would be "more helpful".
Speaking to The Sunday Times, the Education Secretary said: "The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have said they want to review it, so we will stick to seven days but if they review it and say they will bring it down to five days that is even better for me, it's even more helpful."
Mr Zahawi also told the paper he believes the UK is "witnessing the transition of the virus from pandemic to endemic".
- Joseph Gamp
Lateral flow tests to remain free insists minister
Lateral flow tests will remain free, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi has insisted amid criticism after suggestions they could be scaled back despite soaring coronavirus cases.
The Cabinet minister said he is "puzzled" by a report suggesting that their universal availability could be axed as they are limited to high-risk settings and for people with symptoms.
The Sunday Times reported that Prime Minister Boris Johnson would make the announcement within weeks, while the NHS Test and Trace system could also be scaled back.
Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned the move would be "utterly wrongheaded", while Labour said it would be the "wrong decision at the wrong time".
But Mr Zahawi told Sky's Trevor Phillips on Sunday: "I saw that story this morning, which I was slightly puzzled by because I don't recognise it at all. This is absolutely not where we are at.
"For January alone 425 million lateral flow tests (are) coming in and they will continue to be available for free.
"I don't really recognise where that story is coming from."
Asked whether there are plans to stop lateral flow tests being free, he said: "Absolutely not."
- Joseph Gamp
Education minister says cut to self-isolation period helpful for workforces
Education minister Nadhim Zahawi said a reduction in the self-isolation period for those who test positive for COVID-19 would be helpful for those workforces hit by absences,
"I would obviously always defer to the scientific advice on this. It would certainly help mitigate some of the pressures on schools, on critical workforce and others," he told Sky News after being asked whether he backed a move to reduce the isolation period to five days from seven.
- Joseph Gamp
Boris Johnson accused of attending mid-lockdown drinks party
Boris Johnson stands accused of personally attending a drinks party in the garden of No 10 during the first lockdown.
Downing Street did not immediately deny a report in the Sunday Times alleging that the Prime Minister attended the potentially rule-breaking event with wife Carrie in May 2020.
The newspaper cited three sources stating Mr Johnson's principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, emailed officials with an invite adding "BYOB", meaning bring your own bottle, or booze.
Senior civil servant Sue Gray is investigating the May 20 event as part of her inquiry into numerous allegations of rule-breaking events being held in No 10 during the coronavirus pandemic.
Allegations of that gathering, said to have been attended by 40 people, emerged this week when Dominic Cummings said he had warned at the time the "socially distanced drinks" would likely be against the rules and "should not happen".
But the front page report suggesting Mr Johnson himself was present will add to the seriousness of the claims.
- Joseph Gamp
Welcome changes to holiday rules
Recently, Brits have been able to return to the UK without needing to have a Covid test to enter the country, provided they are vaccinated.
The isolation rule – which required arrivals to isolate until they received their day two test result – has also been scrapped.
And from tomorrow, the day two test rules will change – and families will be able to save hundreds.
From 4am tomorrow, Brits will be able to take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test, with the former must cheaper.
While the NHS lateral flow tests can’t be used for travel purposes, they cost around £22 from private medical firms – while PCRs at least £60 more.
The government website states: “If you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, and you will arrive in England after 4am, Sunday 9 January, you can choose to take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test after you arrive in England.
“If you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, and you will arrive in England after 4am, Sunday 9 January, you can choose to take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test after you arrive in England.”
- Joseph Gamp
Sturgeon warns PM against scaling back lateral flow tests
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned Boris Johnson that axing universal free lateral flow tests would be an "utterly wrongheaded" approach to dealing with coronavirus.
Labour joined her in urging the Prime Minister against the move after it was reported they could be limited to high-risk settings – such as care homes, hospitals and schools – and to people with symptoms.
The Sunday Times also said the announcement, which could come within weeks, may include a scaling back of the NHS Test and Trace system.
Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government had not signed up to the move, but if Mr Johnson was "really considering this" it would be "utterly wrongheaded".
"Hard to imagine much that would be less helpful to trying to 'live with' Covid," she tweeted.
- Joseph Gamp
Parents urged to book jabs for children as official Covid deaths pass 150,000
Parents of 12 to 15-year-olds have been urged to book Covid-19 vaccinations for their children as official figures showed more than 150,000 people have now died within 28 days of testing positive for the virus.
Around half a million vaccination appointments are being made available online in England for the age group during January, a senior doctor has said – with slots available at around 500 walk-in sites and 300 centres.
The plea comes as the official Covid death total reached 150,057, meaning the UK is the seventh country to pass the milestone – following the US, Brazil, India, Russia, Mexico and Peru.
Boris Johnson recognised the "terrible toll" of coronavirus on the country, while a scientist advising the Government labelled it an "absolute tragedy" made worse because "many of them were avoidable if we had acted earlier in the first and second wave".
- Louis Allwood
Deaths pass 150,000 since pandemic began
Covid death total in the UK has now passed 150,000 since the beginning of the pandemic while cases drop for the fourth day in a row.
A further 146,390 people have tested positive for Covid today, even less after the 178,250 cases reported yesterday.
Sadly the number of people who have died of Covid in the UK since the beginning of that pandemic now stands at 150,057 with 313 more deaths reported today.
- Louis Allwood
Scotland’s figures
Data from the government also revealed that cases are still rising in over 90 per cent of areas in the UK.
According to the latest Scottish Government figures, there are 1,362 people in hospital with Covid with 48 of them being in intensive care.
The figures also show there were 12,602 new cases of Covid reported, although there are delays in people receiving results from PCR tests.
There were 26 new reported deaths of people who have tested positive for the virus.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “There continue to be large volumes of tests being processed by labs; this and the holiday weekend have impacted turnaround times resulting in delays between specimens being taken and results being received and reported.
“Public Health Scotland are continuing to monitor the situation.”
- Louis Allwood
Cops clash with anti-vaccine passport protesters across Europe
France, Italy, Austria and Germany all saw angry demonstrations against the measures, with some turning violent.
Demonstrators took to the streets of Paris in response to President Emmanuel Macron’s vow to “p*** off” the unvaccinated.
In the French capital protesters retorted by adopting his slangy wording, chanting “We’ll p*** you off”.
Others carried signs saying “No to the vaccine pass”, a reference to Macron’s push to require proof of vaccination to enter venues such as cafes, bars and museums.
- Louis Allwood
No rush for fourth Covid jab
BOOSTERS are winning the fight against Omicron — so no fourth jab is currently needed, experts said last night.
Meanwhile, Covid cases fell for a third day and the number of patients in hospital and on ventilators in London dropped.
Analysis also shows over-65s remain 90 per cent less likely to end up in hospital because of Omicron for at least three months after their booster shots.
And the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation says with no evidence of waning protection, it is too early to consider introducing fourth jabs.
Last month, Israel became the first nation to offer fourth doses to the over-60s and health workers.
But JCVI chairman Professor Wei Shen Lim said: “The booster dose is continuing to provide high levels of protection against severe disease, even for the most vulnerable older age groups.
“For this reason, the committee has concluded there is no immediate need to introduce a second booster dose. The data is highly encouraging and emphasises the value of a booster jab.”
- Louis Allwood
Boosters provide the most protection
It comes as a string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.
Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits’ arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
- Louis Allwood
Join The Sun’s Jab Army
Although Omicron is markedly milder than previous variants, the sheer number of cases have left up to a million people self-isolating and threatening widespread disruption to schools and the economy.
Ministers also say the combination of boosters and Plan B measures are “working” and are not expected to announce fresh measures.
A third jab also significantly slashes the risk of falling seriously ill – and The Sun’s Jab’s Army campaign is helping get vital boosters in people’s arms.
- Louis Allwood
Covid could be like a common cold by SPRING
Dr Mike Tildesley claims that the world will soon be able to function normally again and will no longer be crippled by new variants of the killer virus.
The University of Warwick expert also feeds information into SAGE, and previously questioned the need for curbs.
He raised hopes that cases are starting to slow in Covid hot-spot London despite the UK reporting nearly 180,000 new cases on Friday.
Speaking to Times Radio, Dr Tildesley said: "The thing that might happen in the future is you may see the emergence of a new variant that is less severe, and ultimately, in the long term, what happens is Covid becomes endemic and you have a less severe version.
“It's very similar to the common cold that we've lived with for many years.
"We're not quite there yet but possibly Omicron is the first ray of light there that suggests that may happen in the longer term.
“It is, of course, much more transmissible than Delta was, which is concerning, but much less severe.
"Hopefully, as we move more towards the spring and we see the back of Omicron, we can get more inter-relationship of living with Covid as an endemic disease and protecting the vulnerable.”
- Louis Allwood
UK is ‘most immune country in the world’
The hugely positive claim comes as data revealed around 98 per cent of over 15s in the UK have some resistance to the Omicron variant.
It means they could experience milder symptoms and an overall less serious disease.
It could point to why hospitalisations with the virus remain low – despite skyrocketing case numbers – explained Dr Raghib Ali, Clinical Research Associate, MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge.
But the top doc, who also works across a raft of other roles in the NHS and Public Health England, encouraged Brits to continue to follow rules to not risk overwhelming the health service as staff absence is a “major problem”.
Ways to keep safe, and ensure the NHS stays afloat, include wearing face masks, washing your hands, taking LFT and PCR tests accordingly and isolating if you have symptoms or a positive result.
However he added it’s not all doom and gloom, with lockdown restrictions unlikely as long as we continue on the right path.
Dr Raghib told The Sun: “Basically, what the graph shows is combined data on vaccination with data from the MRC, which produces a monthly update to what proportion of people have had a natural infection, plus dosage and infections by age.
“It’s based on over 15-year-olds, so it’s not everybody, and there’s two factors – one is waning immunity from previous vaccination or infection, and then increasing immunity from boosters, and new infections, and how those things are balancing out, which nobody really knows.
“But we’re probably the most immune country in the world.”
- Louis Allwood
400% Spike in flight bookings as Covid travel rules are relaxed
The new travel rule sees the mandatory day two PCR test scrapped in favour of the cheaper lateral flow test.
From 4am today, fully -vaxxed Brits will be able to take a lateral flow test instead of a pricey PCR test when they return to the UK.
The government website states: "If you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, and you will arrive in England after 4am, Sunday 9 January, you can choose to take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test after you arrive in England.
The lateral flow must not be through the NHS, with Covid testing firm prices starting from £22.
If the lateral flow comes back positive, then a PCR test must then be taken, but this can be for free through the NHS.
And the announcement has prompted a surge in bookings as sun-loving Brits have rushed to plan their holidays.
Jet2 boss Steve Heapy said there has already been a “huge spike” in bookings after the Government's announcement earlier this week.
- Louis Allwood
Best travel protection (Continued…)
Bring your insurance policy details with you
If anything goes wrong, you’ll need to know your policy number and the insurer’s emergency assistance number to get help.
If going away for longer than a short stay then check the maximum duration allowed in your policy.
Get vaccinated
Getting vaccinated is the best way to provide protection against the virus.
It’s also the best way to score good cover as some insurers may choose not to pay out claims if you’re unvaccinated – with the exception being those who are medically exempt.
- Louis Allwood
Best travel protection as new Covid restrictions introduced
Purchase travel insurance
Buying travel insurance before jetting off is vital to ensuring you’re not left out of pocket should things go south.
Without the right policy, you could be left with thousands of pounds worth of emergency expenses.
So, make sure your police includes “disruption cover” to help plug costs caused when the unexpected happens.
Check if your cover includes spots banned by the UK government
Only a few insurance providers offer this.
Consumer protection group Which? suggest that Barclays, Churchill, Direct Line, HSBC and Nationwide have the best Covid cover.
These providers should pay out if you’re forced to cancel your trip due to changes in Foreign Office advice.
They should also cover you should a lockdown come into force or if you test positive for Covid-19.
- Louis Allwood
Less deadly
OMICRON may kill 100 times fewer people than Delta and could be milder than seasonal flu, scientists reportedly believe.
Analysis of recent data shows covid killed one in 33 people who tested positive in January 2021 compared to just one in 670 now, MailOnline claims.
And researchers at Washington University modelling the next stage of the pandemic expect Omicron to kill up to 99 per cent fewer people than Delta suggesting it could end up being less deadly than flu the news site claimed.
Yesterday Sajid Javid revealed that Omicron is up to 90% milder for boosted Brits, and cases have dropped for a third day in a row.
A killer combination of boosters and groundbreaking antiviral drugs have put the country on a much better footing to fight Covid, he said.
Covid cases yesterday fell for the third day in a row, as 178,250 more infections have been reported.
- Louis Allwood
Gruffalo author slams face masks in school
Julia Donaldson has slammed face masks in schools and warned children are being "sacrificed" to protect the NHS.
The 73-year-old former teacher and children's laureate has branded the decision to make students wear masks in the classroom as "dystopian."
Donaldson, the author of the beloved children's book, told the Times: “Even if the current proposals are only for three weeks, this could be repeated and become something considered normal whenever there is infection, whereas in fact it should not be considered normal, it is alien — even dystopian.
“Children are children for such a short time, I don’t think they should be sacrificed like this.
"[Masks are] seen as a gesture that isn’t costing the government any money and as something that is not doing any harm.
"Because of the climate of fear, people have readily accepted something I regard as unacceptable, and that I fear may now be seen as a normal part of life.”
Source: Read Full Article