Members of the public at a Covid testing centre in Cumbria, UK
(AFP via Getty Images)
The UK has surpassed a half million milestone for Covid test sequencing, with more than 500,000 positive Covid tests genomically sequenced by British scientists.
On Sunday, the UK said it has accounted for almost 50 per cent of all sequencing for Covid variants carried out worldwide, allowing officials to — theoretically — get ahead of variants such as Alpha and Delta.
Amid fears of a third wave of Covid, the UK on Saturday recorded 18,270 infections – its highest figure in four months, and a 20 per cent rise on Friday. A further 28 additional deaths were recorded, bring the country’s toll to 128,089.
Stadiums and shopping centres were taking part in a walk-in “grab a jab” initiative at the weekend, as anti-lockdown protesters took to the streets of the capital.
Despite that, half of all adults aged 18 to 29 will have received a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by Sunday in England – three weeks after appointments were opened up to under 30s.
Half of all under 30s to be vaccinated by Sunday
Half of all adults aged below 30 in England will have received a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by Sunday, officials have said, with over 4.2 million young people already jabbed.
It comes three weeks after Covid vaccines were opened up to people in their twenties — eradicating initial concerns that young people would not take part in the vaccination effort.
Nadhim Zahawi, the UK’s vaccines minister, praised the “phenomenal achievement”.
“It’s fantastic to see so many young people coming forward for their jabs, doing their bit to protect themselves and their loved ones.”
Gino Spocchia27 June 2021 08:33
UK population with first dose at 83.7 per cent
By Saturday, more than 44 million people had received the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, and more than 32 million had received a second dose, across the UK.
It amounts to 83.7 per cent of the adult population receiving a first dose, and 61.2 per cent receiving a second.
Gino Spocchia27 June 2021 08:26
UK sequences half a million Covid tests
Scientists have sequenced half a million Covid tests in the UK, according to officials on Sunday, with the country accounting for almost half of all such testing carried out worldwide.
Genomic sequencing — which allows scientists to detect whether the virus has mutated — has allowed the UK government to get ahead of emergent variants including Alpha, and more recently, Delta.
Lord Bethell, the UK’s innovation minister, said the milestone for sequencing was “testament to the hard work, dedication and brilliance of researchers and scientists in laboratories across the country, as well as those on the frontline of our battle against this wretched virus.”
Jenny Harris, the chief executive of UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) added: “The UK has shared its exceptional genomics capabilities with the world during this global pandemic and our expertise in this field will be at the heart of our mission at the UK Health Security Agency.”
Gino Spocchia27 June 2021 08:17
Cases at a February high, with 18,270 confirmed on Saturday
The number of UK daily Covid-19 cases jumped to 18,270 on Saturday as stadiums, shopping centres and other large venues were opened up as walk-in “grab a jab” vaccination centres in a boost the number of people getting immunised.
It is the highest figure since 3 February, and a 20 per cent rise on Friday’s total.
The steady rise in cases comes as experts warn the country is in the grip of a third wave of Covid-19 thanks to the highly transmissible Delta variant.
Gino Spocchia27 June 2021 08:02
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s rolling coverage of UK Covid news.
Gino Spocchia27 June 2021 07:56
