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NIGHTCLUBS and gig venues will reopen on July 19 – and there’ll be no need for Covid tests or proof of jabs. In a major boost for freedom, Brits will be able to head on big nights out once again next month, it’s reported. Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates Getty Images – Getty The great British night out will make its return next month, according to reports[/caption] Ministers had initially planned to insist on proof that punters aren’t infectious. But it’s now claimed Michael Gove, who is leading a review, believes it’s simply “too much hassle” for the public and businesses. It comes as: Covid rules that force entire school classes to quarantine WILL be axed withinContinue Reading

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Walgreens healthcare professionals pass to each other the Pfizer-BioNTec vaccine against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Victor Walchirk Apartments in Evanston, Illinois, February 22, 2021. Kamil Krzaczynski | Reuters LONDON — Mixing and matching the coronavirus vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca-Oxford generates a “robust” immune response against the virus, a study led by Oxford University has found. Researchers running the Com-COV study — which is looking into the feasibility of using a different vaccine for the initial “prime” vaccination to the follow-up “booster” vaccination — discovered that alternating doses of the two vaccines generated strong immunity. However, the study found that the immune responses differed according to order of immunization, with the Oxford-AstraZeneca shot followed by the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccineContinue Reading

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There has been a total of 52 reported deaths from Covid-19 since the cyberattack on the Health Service Executive six weeks ago. As The Irish Times reports, daily death figures have not been published since May 13th, when the number of those who died in the State as a result of the virus stood at 4,937. It is now 4,989, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) as of Wednesday, June 23rd. To date in June there have been 18 recorded deaths. The figure at the start of the month stood at 4,971. There were 68 deaths reported in May. Since the HSE cyberattack there has been no breakdown in how many deaths have occurred since the attack onContinue Reading

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SAUSAGE roll fans and lovers of steak bakes can get their Greggs fix even though a number of Covid restrictions are still in place. You can get your snacks and treats in store or via delivery. Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates Greggs has reopened for indoor serviceReuters You’re only ever a four minute walk from a Greggs when in a town centre – here’s what you need to know if you’re popping into one today. There are a number of rules customers need to follow to minimise the spread of Covid. Is Greggs open? Greggs branches have reopened for indoor dining, and you can still buy food to takeaway. Customers have been allowed toContinue Reading

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SNAPCHAT, TikTok, Reddit and YouTube are teaming up with the Government and the NHS, to encourage young people to get vaccinated. The collaboration, which is part of a drive to combat misinformation around Covid-19 vaccines, comes after the rollout was opened up to all adults in England on Friday. PA Dr Karan Rangarajan, who has 3.9 million followers on TikTok, says it was crucial social media platforms are used to target younger people[/caption] PA Maisie Ayres, aged 18, receives a Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at an NHS Vaccination Clinic, after the vaccination programme was opened up to all adults on Friday[/caption] Dr Karan Rangarajan, an NHS surgeon and influencer who uses social media to tackle the spread of misinformation, said:Continue Reading

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Booster shots and annual vaccine renewals are likely to be part of Ireland’s long-term battle against Covid-19, according to the chief executive of the HSE. Speaking to Shannonside radio’s Joe Finnegan show, Paul Reid said the health service has begun working on plans for the possible rollout of booster shots should they be needed. Mr Reid said vaccine renewals may be needed to combat future outbreaks, as well as new variants of the disease, although he added that medical data on the long-term efficacy of Covid vaccines is incomplete. “I think it’s two assumptions we probably can make,” he said about the future of the vaccine rollout. “One is that there probably will need to be a vaccination programme intoContinue Reading

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ENGLAND’S R rate gives more evidence the outbreak is stabilising. It could be as high as 1.4 and is no lower than 1.2, scientists said today, which is the same estimate given for last week. The R rate in each region – staying largely the same as last week’s figures It comes after an infection survey this week suggested early signs the surge in cases recently is levelling off. The lowest possible figure in some regions has lowered to 1.0, which is a promising indication. The R rate reflects the spread of the virus and indicates how many people one person spreads the disease to. The last time the range was this level was in October last year, when theContinue Reading

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A FEDERAL watchdog is investigating the National Institutes of Health after it was revealed the organization gave over $800,000 in funding to the Chinese lab where the coronavirus is theorized to have been originated. The watchdog will “conduct an extensive audit reviewing how NIH monitored selected grants,” according to Department of Health and Human Services inspector general spokesperson Tesia Williams. A federal watchdog is opening an investigation into US funds given to the Wuhan lab where the coronavirus is theorized to have originatedAFP Williams said the HHS-OIG has conducted an initial investigation into the NIH that deemed the investigation necessary. “We share stakeholders’ concerns regarding compliance and oversight of NIH grant funds,” Williams said according to the New York Post.Continue Reading

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A WOMAN has been jailed for nine years after she filed $500,000 in fraudulent pandemic unemployment claims for prisoners, friends and family. Leelynn Danielle Chytka, 31 from Lebanon, Virginia, helped file false applications and sometimes put the money into accounts of inmates but was also accused of keeping a part or all of the benefits paid for friends and family for herself. “In the midst of a global pandemic, this defendant conspired with others to defraud the Virginia Employment Commission of nearly $500,000 intended for Virginians in need,” Acting US Attorney Daniel P. Bubar said. “This was money set aside by the federal government to assist those struggling during the Covid-19 crisis — not meant to line the pockets ofContinue Reading

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The Quilt is a creative project, asking people across Plymouth to come contribute a patch to reflect on their experiences of the pandemic.  The patches contributed will be sewn together, and the Plymouth Covid Memorial Quilt will be displayed later this year alongside – a collection of statements that will explore the experiences behind each square.  Luke is asking as many people as possible to have the opportunity to take part, no matter what their skill level in quilting and sewing.  Commenting, Luke Pollard MP said: “The pandemic has shown us what matters to each of us: family, friends, health and nature. I want to invite people in Plymouth to join me for a moment of remembrance to those weContinue Reading