UK coronavirus: cases rise 42% in a week as tier 3 rules widened and furlough extended – as it happened

Latest updates:‘vast majority’ of areas currently in tier 3 remain there;government furlough scheme to run until at least end of April 2021. This live blog is now closed –please follow the global live blog for updatesParts of southern England moved to tier 3 as Bristol moved to tier 2Sunak extends furlough scheme until end of AprilEngland ’s secondary school pupils face staggered return after ChristmasPriti Patel accuses senior Tory MP of breaking Covid rulesCoronavirus – latest global updates5.34pmGMTRelated:Coronavirus live news: European leaders self-isolate after Macron Covid diagnosis; Dutch report record new case high5.26pmGMTHere are the latest coronavirus figures forNorthern Ireland.There have been 656 further positive cases - the highest daily total recorded in Northern Ireland since the middle of last month.The Department of Health#COVID19 dashboard has been updated with latest data.656 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. Sadly, a further 12 deaths have been reported (2 deaths were outside the 24 hour period).https://t.co/YN16dmGzhvpic.twitter.com/agGsJAams1Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Coronavirus Boris Johnson Matt Hancock Politics UK news Science Infectious diseases NHS Medical research Health Wales Scotland Andy Burnham Greater Manchester Education Schools Keir Starmer Michael Gove Brexit Liz Tru Source Type: news