UK Covid: 'too early' to decide to ease measures in March, says Hancock; Oxford jab 'protects against UK variant' – as it happened

Health secretary says NHS still under pressure;Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine as effective against UK variant as original virus, research suggests. This live blog has now closed –please follow the global coronavirus live blog for updatesOxford Covid vaccine just as effective against Kent variant, trials suggestAll over-50s should get Covid vaccine by May, No 10 confirmsHancock orders third review on link between vitamin D and CovidPandemic burnout on rise as latest lockdown takes toll5.22pmGMTHere the latest developments at a glance:Related:Coronavirus live news: variant first found in UK now accounts for 6% of German cases; Israel to ease lockdown5.05pmGMTThe government ’s top scientific advisers warned last month that a “complete, pre-emptive closure of borders” was needed to fully prevent new coronavirus strains being imported into the UK.PA reports:Minutes from a meeting of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) held on 21 January revealed that the experts said the only other method of stopping any variants arriving was for all travellers to be quarantined in designated facilities.Prime ministerBoris Johnson announced six days later that only people arriving from countries on a “red list” will be required to self-isolate in a hotel for 10 days.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Coronavirus UK news Infectious diseases Medical research Politics World news Science Source Type: news