COVID cases are down. Yes, you read that right. The latest analysis of the epidemic by Public Health England shows the steep rise in cases over the last five weeks has suddenly stopped and last week actually dipped slightly. Image: The warnings about hospitals reaching capacity and local lockdowns could be working Image: The warnings about hospitals reaching capacity and local lockdowns could be working Could it be that the restrictions, some of which date back to mid-September, are beginning to slow the spread of the virus? Yes and no. Delve into the latest report, which covers the last week of October, and it's clear the downward turn has a lot to do with geography and demographics. Infection rates are definitely falling in north east and north west. More on … 阅读全文

With England set to go into lockdown on Thursday, the government has unveiled legislation governing which shops and businesses will be allowed to stay open. Until 2 December, people will be urged to stay at home, while household mixing will be banned. Non-essential retail will close, but according to new regulations these firms will be allowed to stay open: Supermarkets, grocery stores and corner shops Alcohol shops, including breweries Dentists, opticians and audiology services Chiropody, chiropractors, osteopaths Other medical services, including mental health Image: Dentists can keep seeing patients, unlike during the first lockdown Image: Dentists can keep seeing patients, unlike during the first lockdown Newsagents and post offices Garden centres Hardware stores Building stores and services Petrol stations Pharmacies and chemists Image: Pharmacies and chemists are considered essential shops … 阅读全文

It was never going to be the usual Halloween in a year when we faced a global pandemic, but clearly a rising number of COVID-19 cases left the prime minister spooked.  On Saturday evening, and after a few delays, Boris Johnson made the announcement he had hoped he'd not have to make again - effectively shutting England down for a second time this year. The decision follows a stark warning from his top medical and scientific advisers there could be twice as many coronavirus deaths this winter than during the first wave. The four-week lockdown, from Thursday, will be voted on by parliament on Wednesday. But is it the right call? Has it come too late? And can people and businesses survive this time around? On this edition of the … 阅读全文

Poland's President Andrzej Duda has tested positive for COVID-19. His spokesperson Blazej Spychalski tweeted that the conservative leader received the result after taking a test on Friday. Mr Spychalski says the president feels well and will be in quarantine. Image: Polish president Andrzej Duda with US president Donald Trump Image: Polish president Andrzej Duda with US president Donald Trump Mr Duda's diagnosis follows a sharp increase in the confirmed cases of COVID-19 and related deaths in the country. On Friday, 13,600 new infections were recorded in Poland - a new record. There were also 153 deaths, taking the total related to COVID-19 to 4,162. The Polish government has announced the entire country will become a "red zone" of strict measures - just short of a national lockdown - as it … 阅读全文

More than 10 million people have downloaded the NHS contact-tracing app since it launched on Thursday, despite it suffering a problem that left tens of thousands of test results unlogged. The app, which Health Secretary Matt Hancock described as an "important step forward" in tackling COVID-19, had been downloaded six million times on its first day and 10 million by Sunday, the Department of Health said. Mr Hancock described the figures as an "absolutely fantastic" response. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:27 2:27 Is the NHS app up to the job? But download numbers aside, the app has had a less-than-fantastic start. Mr Hancock's comments were made a day after an important fix for the app was rolled out - it solved an issue that … 阅读全文

"What we need, in a sense, is Boris back with his bounce, with his mojo." A blink and you would've missed this comment from Brexiteer and Tory rebel Steve Baker in his interview with Sky's Sophy Ridge today. It comes after a challenging month, if not a challenging year, for the prime minister. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 8:54 8:54 Tory rebel: 'MPs are feeling helpless' A summer of coronavirus U-turns has morphed into an autumn of anguish. And with the polls now going in the wrong direction, once-loyal backbench Tories are finding their voices. Their concerns will reach a crescendo this week with a debate on coronavirus tomorrow and a vote on Wednesday. Some simply worry that parliament is being cut out of the … 阅读全文