Patients being discharged from NHS hospitals are still not all being tested for coronavirus — despite scientists warning ministers that the practice should be routine. Experts working on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) — which advises Number 10 — raised concerns months ago that infected hospital patients were ‘seeding’ outbreaks. They advised ministers in … Read more
Former chief scientific adviser Professor Sir Mark Walport (pictured) has warned that coronavirus will be present ‘forever’ and people are likely to need regular vaccinations against it A former chief scientific adviser has warned that coronavirus will be present ‘forever’ and people are likely to need regular vaccinations against it. Professor Sir Mark Walport, who … Read more
Freshers’ week should be moved online to prevent Covid-19 outbreaks when university students go back next month, an independent group of scientists say. The experts have earmarked campuses as potential super-spreading zones, because young people are more likely to carry the virus without knowing and mingle with strangers. They say freshers’ week – normally held … Read more
Confusion about the current trajectory of the Covid-19 crisis in the UK was sparked today as SAGE warned the reproduction rate could now be 1.1 but a separate Government study found cases had fallen again. The Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) estimates the R value – the average number of people each coronavirus … Read more
Hairdressers and barbers should wear face coverings and not just visors in order to help curb the spread of coronavirus, scientists advising the Government say. The experts warn that plastic face shields being used in hair salons are unlikely to be an effective control for aerosol transmission of Covid-19 – which scientists fear is one … Read more
What lockdown easing measures have been postponed today? Wedding receptions of more than 30 people will no longer be allowed to take place today as had been planned. They are delayed until at least August 14 Test sporting events will be put on ice for the next two weeks until August 15. Close contact beauty services such … Read more
Matt Hancock today confirmed Number 10’s scientific advisory panel SAGE has been downgraded and the secretive Joint Biosecurity Centre is going to take over the UK’s coronavirus response. The independent body has taken a backseat now that Covid-19 is a ‘semi-permanent’ problem and not an emergency like it was during the darkest days of the … Read more
Matt Hancock announces further plans to downgrade SAGE by confirming the secretive Joint Biosecurity Centre is taking over Britain’s coronavirus response – as he dismisses plans to reform Public Health England before winter The Health Secretary would not put a date on when the last time COBRA met MPs looked concerned that the emergency committee … Read more
SAGE scientists told the Government a month ago it would not be possible to return to a ‘pre-Covid normality’ without a vaccine or a far better contact tracing system, it emerged today. In a report submitted to ministers on June 22, scientists advising Number 10 said social distancing will need to be in place until … Read more
Britain’s coronavirus outbreak is still shrinking by up to 5 per cent a day, according to official data released today — but SAGE has warned the R rate could be above one in the South West of England and London. The Government’s scientific advisory panel revealed the UK’s current growth rate — how the number of … Read more