WEEKLY coronavirus deaths in Wales have reached zero for the first time since the start of pandemic, new data has revealed.
With the UK's incredible vaccine rollout driving hospitalisations down, Wales has been able to celebrate a full seven days without a single person being recorded as dying of Covid-19.
Office for National Statistics figures show deaths from all causes are below average again thanks to lockdown restrictions – the 14th week out of the last 16 that has taken place.
And just one single Covid patient was admitted to hospital in Wales yesterday – again, for the first time during the pandemic.
Read our Coronavirus blog below for the latest news and updates...
- Joseph Gamp
MAPPED: THE FIVE AREAS WHERE COVID IS RISING FASTEST
- Joseph Gamp
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT TO LIFT TRAVEL BAN ON MANCHESTER AND SALFORD
The Scottish Government has announced it will lift its ban on non-essential travel from Manchester and Salford.
It follows a dispute between First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham over the Covid rules, which came into effect on June 21.
Mr Burnham said the ban was disproportionate and the Scottish Government had behaved disrespectfully.
Talks took place between the two sides last week.
On Tuesday, the Scottish Government announced its policy would change following a review of the data.
The ban on non-essential travel from Manchester and Salford will come to an end on Tuesday night.
- Joseph Gamp
GOVERNMENT'S LATEST COVID PLANS BRANDED 'DISCRIMINATORY' AND 'UNENFORCEABLE'
The Government's plan to limit indoor activities to those who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 has been described as "discriminatory and "unenforceable" in the Dail.
During Leaders' Questions, Labour leader Alan Kelly called on the Government to rescind its decision, describing it as "absolutely bananas" and "shocking stuff", while Independent TD Mattie McGrath accused the Government of trying to create a system of "apartheid".
The Government confirmed on Tuesday that drinking and eating inside bars and restaurants will be delayed for several weeks.
It was due to resume on July 5.
Instead it plans to allow indoor dining to resume in the coming weeks for those who are fully vaccinated or who have immunity from the virus.
- Joseph Gamp
PRESSURE MOUNTS ON LORD BETHELL OVER USE OF PERSONAL EMAIL ACCOUNT
Health minister Lord Bethell faced fresh calls to resign over his use of a personal email account rather than official communication channels.
Downing Street acknowledged Lord Bethell was using a private email address but suggested that was allowed within the rules, while the peer insisted he had done nothing wrong.
Both the minister and his former boss Matt Hancock have faced claims that they used their private accounts to discuss government business during the pandemic, including potential coronavirus contracts.
Lord Bethell insisted he sought to uphold the ministerial code "in everything I do" as he was questioned by peers.
Pressed by Tory peer and former Boris Johnson aide Lord Udny-Lister if he "routinely" uses his private email, Lord Bethell said: "In terms of the use of private email can I just reassure members that I have read the ministerial code, I have signed the ministerial code and I seek to uphold it in everything I do."
- Joseph Gamp
UK RECORDS 20,479 NEW COVID-19 CASES AND 23 NEW DEATHS
The UK has reported 20,479 new COVID-19 cases and 23 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, official government data showed.
Today's figures are compared to 22,868 cases and 3 deaths reported yesterday.
- Joseph Gamp
WATCH: AMANDA HOLDEN RAGES OVER FORKING OUT £2.5K ON COVID TESTS FOR FAMILY PORTUGAL HOLIDAY
Amanda Holden rages over forking out £2.5k on Covid tests for family Portugal holiday
- John Hall
RED CROSS SAYS INDONESIA’S COVID-19 SURGE IS A “CATASTROPHE”
Indonesia’s Covid-19 surge is on the edge of a “catastrophe” as the more infectious Delta variant dominates transmission and chokes hospitals in Southeast Asia’s worst epidemic, the Red Cross said on Tuesday.
Indonesia has reported record daily Covid-19 infections of more than 20,000 in recent days, in a new wave of infections fueled by the emergence of highly transmissible virus variants and increased mobility after the Muslim fasting month.
“Every day we are seeing this Delta variant driving Indonesia closer to the edge of a Covid-19 catastrophe,” said Jan Gelfand, head of the Indonesian delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), urging better vaccine access globally.
Hospitals in several designated “red zone” areas have reported overcapacity, including the capital Jakarta, with its isolation beds 93% occupied as of Sunday.
- John Hall
SHORE THING
Jersey has added the UK to its red list, meaning all unvaccinated arrivals must quarantine for 10 days.
The island has enforced the new rules due to the threat of the Delta variant, with cases rising in the UK.
Brits visiting the island who haven't had both jabs will have to self-isolate for 10 days, with a test on arrival, as well as on day five and day 10.
Vaccinated Brits will be tested on arrival but only have to isolate until they receive their results, followed by a test on day eight.
The largest of the Channel Islands is just the latest destination to enforce new restrictions on UK travellers due to the new variant.
- John Hall
SURGE IN COVID CASES LIKELY ‘LINKED TO FOOTBALL FANS WATCHING THE EUROS, SAYS SCOTTISH HEALTH SECRETARY
The surge in coronavirus cases is partly linked to football fans watching the Euro 2020 tournament indoors, Scotland’s Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has said.
A number of cases have also been linked to coaches transporting fans to London to watch Scotland play, Mr Yousaf added.
On Monday, the daily coronavirus figures showed 3,285 people had reported positive Covid-19 tests overnight, the highest number since the start of the pandemic.
However, vaccination has weakened the link between cases and being taken to hospital.
Speaking to the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Yousaf said the Government was being cautious, but ministers are not looking at introducing further restrictions in the worst-affected areas.
He said: “If we look at the data that’s presented, it’s very clear that it’s skewed disproportionately towards young males, those under 40.”
- John Hall
‘ZERO TOLERANCE’
The “disgusting yobs” filmed grabbing Chris Whitty “must be found and charged” over their “appalling behaviour”, ministers have blasted.
They were speaking after the yobs filmed themselves putting England’s chief medical officer in a headlock and pushed in London’s St James Park.
In the footage, the two yobs can be seen approaching the top medic – who has been heralded for his sensible approach to guiding the UK through the pandemic – before suddenly grabbing him around his shoulders in London.
The upsetting footage shows the professor’s face turn red with the effort of trying to free himself from their clutches.
The new Health Secretary Sajid Javid branded the incident “appalling and totally unacceptable”.
- John Hall
MATT HANCOCK WON’T TAKE £16,000 SEVERANCE PAY OUT AFTER QUITTING IN DISGRACE OVER AIDE AFFAIR
MATT Hancock will reportedly NOT accept £16,000 in severance pay after quitting in disgrace over his fling with Gina Coladangelo.
The Health Secretary, 42, resigned amid mounting pressure over images of him kissing and cuddling the aide in breach of Covid restrictions.
And despite admitting he had “let down” millions who had made painful sacrifices during the pandemic he is, in theory, eligible for thousands of pounds.
However, the Daily Telegraph understands Mr Hancock will not take the severance payments.
Any decisions to take severance pay outs are published in annual parliamentary accounts – so the actual answer may not be known until next summer.
Read more here.
- John Hall
SAJID JAVID CONFIRMS JULY 19 AS DATE FOR ENGLAND’S LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS TO END
Boris Johnson and his new Health Secretary Sajid Javid have confirmed their intention for July 19 to mark the end of England’s lockdown restrictions.
Mr Javid resisted pressure from Tory MPs to bring forward the date of Step 4 of the road map, but he said there was “no reason” why the July 19 deadline would not be met.
The Prime Minister signalled that the “terminus” date would mean going “back to life as it was before Covid as far as possible”.
In his first Commons statement since replacing Matt Hancock, Mr Javid told MPs: “There remains a big task ahead of us to restore our freedoms – freedoms that, save for the greatest of circumstances, no government should ever wish to curtail.
“So my task is to help return the economic and cultural life that makes this country so great while of course protecting life and our NHS.”
- John Hall
UPDATED COVID DEATHS
A total of 102 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending June 18 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) – up 21% on the previous week.
It is the first time the number of deaths has been above 100 since the week ending May 21.
All of the 102 deaths were registered in England.
This is the first week since the start of the pandemic that Wales has registered zero deaths involving Covid-19, the ONS said.
- John Hall
BREAKING POINT
Brits could be released from Covid restrictions and enter into a mental health pandemic, an expert has warned.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has consistently highlighted the “roadmap out of lockdown”, but the mental health of the nation has taken a back seat during the pandemic.
The government has failed to address the dark side of lockdowns, Dr Raj Persaud fears.
Over the last year over a fifth of people in Britain have experienced some form of depression – more than double the pre-pandemic figure, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) states.
It was also previously reported that the pandemic is the "greatest threat to mental health" since the second world war and others have bravely spoken out about how the impact of the pandemic made them want to take their lives.
- John Hall
COVID-19 ANTIBODY LEVELS VARY ACCORDING TO VACCINE AND PAST INFECTION – STUDY
Two doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine induces lower levels of antibodies against the variant first detected in India than against other strains, new research suggests.
The laboratory findings from the Francis Crick Institute and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) UCLH Biomedical Research Centre compared the results to their findings in relation to the Pfizer/BioNTech jab.
The data suggests that both vaccines induce lower levels of antibodies targeting the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant.
Researchers found that two doses of the Oxford jab generate antibody levels that are 2.5 times lower against the Delta variant than the Pfizer vaccine.
While antibody levels alone do not predict vaccine effectiveness, the study confirms that two doses of either vaccine are essential to boost antibodies to levels that are likely to maximise the amount of protection against severe disease and hospital admission.
- John Hall
RED CROSS SAYS INDONESIA'S COVID-19 SURGE IS A "CATASTROPHE"
Indonesia's Covid-19 surge is on the edge of a "catastrophe" as the more infectious Delta variant dominates transmission and chokes hospitals in Southeast Asia's worst epidemic, the Red Cross said on Tuesday.
Indonesia has reported record daily Covid-19 infections of more than 20,000 in recent days, in a new wave of infections fueled by the emergence of highly transmissible virus variants and increased mobility after the Muslim fasting month.
"Every day we are seeing this Delta variant driving Indonesia closer to the edge of a Covid-19 catastrophe," said Jan Gelfand, head of the Indonesian delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), urging better vaccine access globally.
Hospitals in several designated "red zone" areas have reported overcapacity, including the capital Jakarta, with its isolation beds 93% occupied as of Sunday.
- [email protected]
BUSH-TUCKERED
I’m A Celebrity’s plans to film in Australia have had a shadow cast over them – after a Covid-19 outbreak shut down Queensland.
ITV bosses had been given the green light for filming to go ahead Down Under with Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, after coronavirus forced them to relocate the last series to Wales.
However news yesterday that Queensland and other states had been put into lockdown meant bosses were facing what could be their worst nightmare later down the line.
A source said: “The plan is for I’m A Celebrity to be filmed in Australia and at the moment that is still the case.
“But seeing Queensland and other parts of Australia go into lockdown because of Coronavirus outbreaks is the kind of news they dread."
- John Hall
‘ZERO TOLERANCE’
The “disgusting yobs” filmed grabbing Chris Whitty “must be found and charged” over their “appalling behaviour”, ministers have blasted.
They were speaking after the yobs filmed themselves putting England’s chief medical officer in a headlock and pushed in London’s St James Park.
In the footage, the two yobs can be seen approaching the top medic – who has been heralded for his sensible approach to guiding the UK through the pandemic – before suddenly grabbing him around his shoulders in London.
The upsetting footage shows the professor’s face turn red with the effort of trying to free himself from their clutches.
The new Health Secretary Sajid Javid branded the incident “appalling and totally unacceptable”.
- John Hall
CLASS RETHINK
Draconian measures which mean entire school classes have to isolate if one child gets Covid-19 could be ditched, Sajid Javid hinted last night.
The new Health Secretary has ordered officials to look again at the policy in a bid to keep millions in school.
Read more here.
- John Hall
MATT HANCOCK WON’T TAKE £16,000 SEVERANCE PAY OUT AFTER QUITTING IN DISGRACE OVER AIDE AFFAIR
Matt Hancock will reportedly NOT accept £16,000 in severance pay after quitting in disgrace over his fling with Gina Coladangelo.
The Health Secretary, 42, resigned amid mounting pressure over images of him kissing and cuddling the aide in breach of Covid restrictions.
And despite admitting he had “let down” millions who had made painful sacrifices during the pandemic he is, in theory, eligible for thousands of pounds.
However, the Daily Telegraph understands Mr Hancock will not take the severance payments.
Any decisions to take severance pay outs are published in annual parliamentary accounts – so the actual answer may not be known until next summer.
Read more here.
- John Hall
SURGE IN COVID CASES LIKELY 'LINKED TO FOOTBALL FANS WATCHING THE EUROS, SAYS SCOTTISH HEALTH SECRETARY
The surge in coronavirus cases is partly linked to football fans watching the Euro 2020 tournament indoors, Scotland's Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has said.
A number of cases have also been linked to coaches transporting fans to London to watch Scotland play, Mr Yousaf added.
On Monday, the daily coronavirus figures showed 3,285 people had reported positive Covid-19 tests overnight, the highest number since the start of the pandemic.
However, vaccination has weakened the link between cases and being taken to hospital.
Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Yousaf said the Government was being cautious, but ministers are not looking at introducing further restrictions in the worst-affected areas.
He said: "If we look at the data that's presented, it's very clear that it's skewed disproportionately towards young males, those under 40."
- John Hall
SCHOOL ISOLATION RULES COULD END IN AUTUMN, SAYS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
School isolation rules in England could be brought to an end this autumn, the Department for Education has confirmed.
There are growing concerns about the rising number of children who have to quarantine because they are the contacts of confirmed cases.
The department said ministers have written to secondary schools asking them to prepare to potentially replace isolation rules with testing.
A spokesman said: "We are provisionally asking secondary schools and colleges to prepare to offer on-site testing when students return for the new academic year, so that schools are ready in case it is needed to keep as many children as possible in face-to-face education.
"We will provide further details about the approach to protective measures and test and trace in education from September in due course."
- John Hall
KEYWORKERS AND ‘INSPIRATIONAL INDIVIDUALS’ GIVEN STANDING OVATION AT WIMBLEDON
Medical staff and other “inspirational individuals” who have been invited to the Royal Box on the first day of this year’s Wimbledon were given a standing ovation before the first match on Centre Court.
Guests included Hannah Ingram-Moore, daughter of veteran fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised over £32 million for the NHS, as well as designers of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.
Announcers paid tribute to the “important work” done by keyworkers before the first game on Centre Court which saw defending champion Novak Djokovic beat 19-year-old Jack Draper from the UK in four sets.
Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, who co-designed the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, also attended the Royal Box, and she and her colleagues were applauded and cheered by other match-goers.
Tributes were also paid after the match, led by the Prime Minister and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
- John Hall
UPDATED COVID DEATHS
A total of 102 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending June 18 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) – up 21% on the previous week.
It is the first time the number of deaths has been above 100 since the week ending May 21.
All of the 102 deaths were registered in England.
This is the first week since the start of the pandemic that Wales has registered zero deaths involving Covid-19, the ONS said.
- John Hall
UPDATED COVID DEATHS
A total of 102 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending June 18 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) – up 21% on the previous week.
It is the first time the number of deaths has been above 100 since the week ending May 21.
All of the 102 deaths were registered in England.
This is the first week since the start of the pandemic that Wales has registered zero deaths involving Covid-19, the ONS said.
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