Ghost town Britain: Commuting city workers shun the office as new lockdown is announced

Office staff largely worked from home today as Britain’s third national lockdown began to clamp shut, but tradesmen, key workers and essential businesses continued to travel in to their jobs. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said last night the restrictions, which will come in tomorrow, would allow the virus to be contained and the NHS protected. … Read more

The Walking Dead’s Samantha Morton is rushed to hospital as she pleads with fans to ‘wear a mask’

The Walking Dead’s Samantha Morton, 43, is rushed to hospital as she pleads with fans to ‘wear a mask’ amid COVID-19 lockdown Samantha, 43, tweeted on Monday night she’d been admitted to hospital The actress praised NHS staff for taking such good care of her, and said seeing the red zone, designated for COVID-19 patients … Read more

Top surgeon fears cancer surgeries could be cancelled AGAIN unless No10 can curb spread of Covid

A top surgeon has raised fears cancer surgeries may be axed in the coming days unless the national lockdown swiftly curbs the spread of coronavirus. Professor Neil Mortensen, the president of the Royal College of Surgeons, warned today the situation in hospitals is getting ‘much worse’, and escalating faster than the ‘slow-motion car crash’ he … Read more

NHS bosses warn growing number of Covid patients pushing health service to breaking point 

Hospitals have been forced to lower standards of care after the number of Covid patients doubled in a month, NHS bosses warned last night. There are now a record 26,626 virus patients in England’s hospitals, 33 per cent higher than the April peak of 18,974 and up from 12,987 on December 4. Senior doctors warned … Read more

Boris Johnson orders vulnerable people to stay indoors as shielding guidance returns

The return of shielding: Boris Johnson orders 2.2m vulnerable people to isolate until they are vaccinated against coronavirus Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced tough new restrictions on Monday Those with severe underlying health conditions will once more be required to shield despite concerns about the impact this could have on their mental health   The new … Read more

Covid UK: Chief medical officers say NHS risks being ‘overwhelmed’

The UK’s chief medical officers have warned of a ‘material risk of the NHS being overwhelmed’ in the next 21 days as the mutant Covid strain wreaks havoc across the country. Parts of the health service are under ‘immense pressure’, the chief medical officers for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – and NHS England’s national … Read more

UK’s chief medical officers warn there is ‘material risk of the NHS being overwhelmed’

The UK’s chief medical officers have warned of a ‘material risk of the NHS being overwhelmed’ in the next 21 days as the mutant Covid strain wreaks havoc across the country. Parts of the health service are under ‘immense pressure’, the chief medical officers for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – and NHS England’s national … Read more

How long will it take for the Covid vaccine to come to the rescue and get Britain out of lockdown?

Britain may not be free of coronavirus restrictions until next winter unless the NHS hits its ambitious target of vaccinating 2million people every week, it is feared. Ramping up the inoculation drive to reach the target means it would still take until April for everyone over the age of 50, adults with serious illnesses, and … Read more

Market remains up 1.8% by 118 on 6,579 points as gains on morning of Oxford jab rollout are lost

Lockdown gloom stifles FTSE: Market remains up 1.8% by 118 on 6,579 points as gains made on morning of Oxford jab rollout are lost amid fears UK is set for third national lockdown London’s top market gained more than 200 points as it opened this morning Brexit and rollout of Oxford University/ AstraZeneca jab encourages … Read more

Covid vaccine UK: Man, 82, first to get Oxford AstraZeneca jab

A blame game erupted today over who is responsible for the slow roll-out of Oxford University’s vaccine after Boris Johnson pointed the finger at Britain’s medical regulator and Matt Hancock suggested it was the manufacturer’s fault. The Government appears to be trying to pass the buck for the vaccination programme before it has even had a … Read more