Covid UK news: Another 462 deaths recorded as Whitty warns of ‘long and difficult’ winter
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Your support makes all the difference.As the UK records a further 462 Covid-19 deaths and over 26,000 daily positive infections on Saturday, scientists have issued several stark warnings with regards to lockdown measures.
In a document from the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), scientists warned that returning to a tiered system over the upcoming Christmas period after England’s current lockdown, which is set to end on 2 December, will see a rise in infections.
The group said that restrictions on normal life will be needed beyond December in order to keep the coronavirus under control. If such measures were not maintained, the rate of infections will plateau rather than fall, it added.
A member of Sage, Professor Susan Michie, also urge the public not to become complacent after promising news over a potential vaccine against Covid-19 emerged last week, and told people to stick to the rules to give the country its best shot at being able to spend Christmas with loved ones.
Meanwhile, anti-lockdown protests took place in several countries today, including the UK, France, Germany and Portugal. In the UK, demonstrators took to the streets in Liverpool and Bristol.
Jeremy Corbyn’s brother, Piers Corbyn, was arrested at the anti-lockdown protest in Bristol. He was among around 400 people who marched through the city to oppose lockdowns, social distancing, masks and “forced vaccinations”.
In contrast to the protests, Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrating Diwali depended on the Internet to stay connected and observe the festival of lights together, as the ban on mixing of households indoors forced them to cancel the usually-large family feasts.
Across the UK, councils and temples hosted on-screen celebrations that featured traditional singing and dancing from local performers, and people lit oil lamps to decorate the front steps of their homes.
20 new coronavirus deaths in the last 24-hours in Wales
There have been a further 933 cases of coronavirus in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 64,881.
Public Health Wales reported on Saturday another 20 deaths, taking the total in Wales since the start of the pandemic to 2,191.
Wales came out of a firebreak lockdown on Monday, after 17 days of coronavirus restrictions to tackle a surge in cases.
Earlier this week, figures revealed there were more patients in hospitals in Wales with Covid-19 than at any other time during the pandemic.
The figures revealed 1,529 beds are occupied – 20 per cent of all patients in the hospital.
However, the number of patients in critical care or on ventilators with coronavirus has only reached 40 per cent of the levels at the height of the first wave.
Water cannon fired during anti-lockdown rally in Frankfurt
German police deployed water cannon during an anti-lockdown rally in Frankfurt, which was eventually dispersed for ignoring virus control measures such as social distancing and wearing masks.
About 600 people took to the streets of Frankfurt to protest the government’s measures to curb the spread of coronavirus infections in the country.
The rally was organised by the Querdenker movement, and was met by counter protesters along its route.
Police used water cannon to free up the route of the rally, which was blocked several times by about 300 counter protesters.
A police spokesperson said the rally was dispersed after protesters repeatedly disregarded coronavirus rules.
Jeremy Corbyn’s brother arrested at Bristol anti-lockdown protest
Back in the UK, Jeremy Corbyn’s brother has been arrested - again - at an anti-lockdown protest organised by conspiracy theorists in Bristol.
Piers Corbyn has attended numerous such protests and has been detained several times, as well as handed a £10,000 fine for allegedly violating Covid-19 restrictions during demonstrations.
He joined around 400 people in a march through Bristol on Saturday, reports our Home Affairs Correspondent Lizzie Dearden.
Jeremy Corbyn’s brother arrested at anti-lockdown protest in Bristol
Police say they ‘warned the organisers repeatedly of the consequences’ after protests banned under new lockdown
People celebrated socially-distanced Diwali in UK
Diwali looks very different for Hindus, Jains and Sikhs all over the world today, including for those living in the UK.
The coronavirus lockdown has forced the cancellation of usual festivities, which normally could have included gatherings of friends and families and celebrations hosted by councils and temples.
Many have turned to the Internet to mark the occasion, with temples hosting video streams for those who wish to pray to tune in, reports Tim Wyatt.
Socially distanced Diwali celebrated in UK under lockdown
Fireworks, light shows, gift-giving and feasting all cancelled thanks to Covid pandemic
Vaccine news must not lead to complacency in last ‘crucial weeks’ of lockdown, Sage member warns
A member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) has warned people against becoming complacent in the last two weeks of England’s current lockdown after news of a potential vaccine broke last week.
Professor Susan Michie urged people to stick to the rules to give the country the best shot at easing restrictions due to end on 2 December and being able to spend Christmas with family.
“I think for the next two weeks, everybody has to really get all their resolve together,” she said.
My colleague Zoe Tidman reports:
Covid vaccine news must not lead to complacency, Sage member warns
Next fortnight will be ‘very challenging’, Professor Susan Michie says
Austria tightens lockdown, closing schools and non-essential stores
Austria has announced it is ordering the closure of most stores and shifting schools to online teaching as it tightens its partial lockdown, which is due to end on 6 December.
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced the new measures as the country has seen a weekly average of 550 new cases of coronavirus per 100,000 inhabitants - 11 times more than what authorities previously said would be sustainable.
The country will also impose a limited curfew from Tuesday, banning people from leaving their homes except for work, to buy essentials, to exercise, or to help people who need assistance.
Austria shuts schools, most stores, to curb spread of virus
Austria is tightening its partial lockdown, including by closing non-essential stores and shifting schools to online teaching, amid galloping coronavirus infection rates in the Alpine nation
French police probe illegal party with nearly 400 people near Paris
Police in France are investigating an illegal party that took place at Joinville-Le-Pont near the capital, at which up to 400 people gathered and breached French coronavirus lockdown rules.
Under the rules, large private gatherings are not allowed.
The Paris police department said on Saturday it launched an investigation to identify who organised the party, which was held in a large private house.
Some partygoers threw bottles at the police when they arrived to break up the event in the early hours, said police, adding that they found at least one person at the party had tested positive for Covid-19. They urged others who attended to get tested for the virus.
Reuters
Coronavirus protests held in several countries
Today appears to be the day for protesters to express their anger at the restrictions put in place to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Demonstrations have popped up in several countries around the world, including in the UK, Germany, France, and Portugal. In the UK, protests took place in Bristol and Liverpool.
In Lisbon, employers and employees from the hospitality sector gathered to demand more support from the government as the crisis continues to hit their industry hard.
In Frankfurt, police clashed with people who were counter-protesting an anti-lockdown demonstrators. Water cannon were deployed to clear the routes blocked by counter protesters and the rally was eventually dispersed.
People from various economic sectors gathered in Marseille to protest the government’s closure of non-essential businesses, in a bid to slow the spread of Covid-19.
An anti-lockdown rally took place in Nice, with protesters demanding their “freedom” from coronavirus restrictions.
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