Coronavirus case rates rising in all UK nations

1. Coronavirus rates are increasing across all four UK nations, according to the latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics
2. One in 80 people in the UK would have tested positive in the week up to 20 August - just over 860,000 people
3. The rate of one in 40 people in Northern Ireland having the virus last week is the highest since the ONS began estimates last October
4. In England the rate is one in 70, in Wales it's one in 120 and the rate for Scotland is one person in 140 testing positive
5. And Scotland has recorded a record number of daily Covid cases as the number surged above 6,000 for the first time
6. Another 100 people have died in the UK within 28 days of a positive test - the 15th day this month 100 or more deaths have been reported
7. 94% of UK people who have had two doses of a Covid vaccine would be "very or fairly likely" to have a booster if offered, a survey finds
8. New Zealand will remain under level 4 Covid restrictions - full lockdown - until midnight on Tuesday, prime minister Jacinda Ardern has said

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What’s been happening around the world today?

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Sri Lankan police officers examine a vehicle at a coronavirus checkpoint in Colombo

We’ll be ending our live coverage for today shortly but, before we go, here’s a reminder of today’s main coronavirus headlines from the UK and around the world:

• Coronavirus rates are increasing across all four UK nations, according to the latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics
• And today is the 15th day this month that the number of deaths recorded in the UK of someone who had tested positive for coronavirus in the previous 28 days has been 100 or more
• Scotland has recorded a record number of daily Covid cases as the number surged above 6,000 for the first time
• Two hospitals in north Wales have been hit with outbreaks of Covid - Betsi Cadwaladr health board says it is caring for 34 patients with Covid-19 infections across the two sites, 14 of which are confirmed hospital-acquired infections
• Northern Ireland records its highest number of cases since ONS estimates began in October last year
• Hundreds of people who went to heavy metal music festival Bloodstock in Derbyshire have tested positive for Covid
• Study finds the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine does raise risk of blood clots and another serious bleeding condition - but that the risk of such problems is higher following Covid infection
• New Zealand will remain under level 4 Covid restrictions - full lockdown - until midnight on Tuesday, prime minister Jacinda Ardern says
• More than half of India's eligible population - some 473 million people - have received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine, official data says
• Denmark is to end all Covid restrictions by 10 September, according to health officials, who say the virus no longer poses a "threat to society" thanks to more than 70% of the population being fully vaccinated, AFP reports.

What's the picture in the UK?

Here are some of the latest graphics explaining the coronavirus situation in the UK.

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What rules are still in place as we head towards the bank holiday?

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The August bank holiday weekend is almost here and many people across the UK will be hoping to make the most of some late summer sun.

Self-isolation rules across all four nations in the UK have been relaxed - but what about the rest of the Covid-19 restrictions?

Social distancing rules have ended in England, Scotland and Wales, but not completely in Northern Ireland.

And where do you still need a mask, or an NHS Covid pass?

Here's a look at the latest changes to the rules across the UK.

Taxi driver shortage in Blackpool blamed on pandemic

Sean Conboy Visit Blackpool

A Blackpool taxi firm says it has lost 200 of the 500 drivers on its books after many quit to take jobs as delivery drivers during the pandemic.

Taxi firms in the holiday resort town are now offering bonuses to attract new night drivers.

Some also say long queues caused by shortages have resulted in anger and abuse by late-night revellers.

The council has employed taxi marshals to control queues and has introduced new measures to make it easier for firms to recruit new drivers.

Read more here.

High virus levels 'highly likely' in England's schools - Sage

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Scientists advising the government say it's "highly likely" high levels of coronavirus will be seen in schools in England by the end of September.

It would be "sensible" for the government to plan for this happening, they add in a Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) statement from 11 August.

Cases in Scotland have reached a record high since schools reopened for autumn.

A decision on whether a vaccine will be offered to 12-15-year-olds is expected soon.

All 16 and 17-year-olds across the UK have now been offered a first dose of vaccine against Covid-19.

Sage admits it is still difficult to work out whether schools are drivers of transmission, or simply reflecting the spread of the virus in the communities where they are located.

But its scientific advisers add that if cases continue to rise, the more pupils and teachers that contract Covid-19, the more schools and education will be disrupted.

Read more here.

Covid outbreaks at two north Wales hospitals

BBC

The Covid outbreak at Ysbyty Gwynedd hospital hit five wards

Two hospitals in north Wales have been hit with outbreaks of Covid.

Betsi Cadwaladr health board says it is managing the outbreak on two wards at Ysbyty Gwynedd and one at Ysbyty Eryri in Caernarfon, Gwynedd.

It says it is caring for 34 patients with Covid-19 infections across both sites, 14 of which are have confirmed hospital-acquired infections.

Affected patients are being isolated and wards are currently closed while visiting remains restricted.

The health board's executive director of nursing and midwifery Gill Harris says cases in the community have been increasing in recent weeks leading to a rise in the number of patients needing hospital treatment for the virus.

"This is a timely reminder that the virus has not gone away," she adds.

Read more here.

Fifteenth day in August of 100 UK deaths or more

Today is the 15th day in August that the number of deaths recorded in the UK of someone who had tested positive for coronavirus in the previous 28 days has been 100 or more.

That underlines a substantial rise in deaths this month after several months of lower figures. For context, there was only one day in the whole of April, May, June and July when the the number of deaths announced was in three figures - that was 27 July, when 131 deaths were reported.

Today is the last Friday of August, and while today's figure is actually lower than last Friday's when 114 fatalities were reported, you have to go back all the way to February and the winter wave of the virus to find a higher figure for the final Friday of the month.

Here are the numbers of deaths recorded in the UK on the last Friday of the previous months this year:

• 30 July - 68
• 25 June - 18
• 28 May - 10
• 30 April - 15
• 26 March - 70
• 26 February - 345
• 29 January - 1,245

How many in UK have had their vaccines now?

The latest figures show deaths have increased by 9.9% from the previous week (14 to 20 August), with 756 recorded in the past seven days, a rise of 68.

Cases have risen 9.1% from the previous week, with 239,237 recorded between 21 and 27 August, an increase of 19,887.

Another 55,140 people in the UK have had a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, the government figures show. In total, 88.2% of the adult population has now had at least one jab.

And a further 144,936 have had a second vaccine dose now. As of today, 78.0% of the adult population has now had both jabs.

Correction 17 September 2021: This post originally said deaths had increased 9.9% per 100,000 people from the previous week. It has been corrected to simply reflect that deaths had increased by 9.9% from the previous week.

BreakingMore than 38,000 new Covid cases recorded in UK

There have been a further 38,046 cases of coronavirus reported in the UK today, according to the latest government figures.

And there have been another 100 deaths of people who had tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days.

London Underground usage often hits 50% of pre-Covid levels

Reuters

In London, usage of the Tube network is regularly reaching at least half of pre-pandemic levels, Transport for London (TfL) says.

On weekdays, demand is often at 50% of what it was before the pandemic, and it is reaching more than 60% at weekends.

This is up from about 40% across the entire week in early May.

An average of more than 1.8 million journeys are being made on the London Underground every weekday.

Last weekend, passenger numbers were at 58% of pre-pandemic levels on Saturday and 62% on Sunday.

Bus travel in the afternoon is also continuing to grow.

Overall demand is reaching about two-thirds of pre-pandemic levels on weekdays and hitting up to 75% at weekends.

About 3.5 million journeys are being made every weekday on London buses, which is likely to increase further once schools return from next week.

England manager suffered abuse over vaccine drive support

England football manager Gareth Southgate says he was targeted for abuse after supporting the UK government drive to get more young people vaccinated.

Southgate delivered a video message backing the programme shortly after England's defeat by Italy on penalties in the final of Euro 2020 in July.

He says: "I was asked to do a video supporting the vaccination programme, which I thought was responsible.

"And of all the things that I've received abuse for over the summer - of which there's been several - that's probably the one I've received the most abuse over."

Southgate says, as a result, he is going to keep out of the argument "for the time being".

But while admitting "it's very much an individual situation", Southgate adds: "Our only way out of this pandemic across the world are the vaccinations - certainly for the vulnerable people."

Gareth Southgate: 'Go and get your Covid vaccine done'

Denmark to end all Covid measures by 10 September - minister

Reuters

Denmark will end all coronavirus restrictions by 10 September, according to health officials, who say the virus no longer poses a "threat to society" thanks to the fact more than 70% of the population is fully vaccinated, AFP reports.

In a statement, Health Minister Magnus Heunicke said: "The epidemic is under control, we have record vaccination levels. That is why, on 10 September, we can lift the special rules we had to introduce in the fight against Covid-19."

However, he insists "the epidemic is not over" and says the government "will not hesitate to act quickly if the pandemic once again threatens the essential functioning of society".

Denmark was one of the first nations to bring in a partial lockdown in March 2020, closing schools and non-essential businesses and services.

It has relaxed and reinforced its measures throughout the pandemic, and in April became the first European nation to introduce a "corona pass" for access to places such as restaurants, cinemas, gyms and hair salons.

The "corona pass" requirement - which has already been removed for some venues including museums - will end for more places come 1 September, but will still be needed to enter nightclubs and other large events until 10 September.

Watch: 'Covid cases have roughly doubled in a week'

Covid in Scotland: 'Cases have roughly doubled in a week'

Earlier this afternoon, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said coronavirus cases are surging in Scotland as another record daily tally was recorded.

A total of 6,835 new cases have been reported today - more than 1,800 above the previous highest figure.

What Covid precautions can I take at a festival?

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We've just explained how hundreds of people who attended a music festival in Derbyshire earlier this month went on to positive for coronavirus.

And as 500,000 people prepare to head to big festivals this bank holiday weekend, health officials are urging fans to follow some simple steps - such as taking a free Covid lateral flow test before they go - to reduce the risk of catching or spreading Covid-19.

Here's a quick rundown of what the experts advise:

Dr Susan Hopkins, of Public Health England

• Wear a face covering if travelling to the festival via public transport
• Take a lateral flow test when you get back and then test twice a week, as you've mixed with a large group of people
• Try to avoid seeing older or more vulnerable relatives so that you don't pass anything on

Dr Michael Head, from the University of Southampton

• The main trigger points at mass gatherings are indoor settings - the risk of transmitting Covid outside in a field is relatively low
• Everyone should accept a coronavirus vaccine when invited for one

You can read more here.

Hundreds who went to Bloodstock festival test positive for Covid

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Hundreds of people who attended a heavy metal music festival in Derbyshire have tested positive for Covid-19, health officials say.

Bloodstock took place on 11 to 15 August near the village of Walton-on-Trent, in Derbyshire.

Local public health officials confirmed about 500 people from across the country had "attended the festival prior to testing positive".

Iain Little, Derbyshire County Council's deputy director of public health, says there did not appear to be any rises in infections locally as most people had stayed on the festival site.

He adds: "Our public health team was involved in planning for the event with South Derbyshire District Council, and were happy that the festival organisers were following best practice and national guidance."

This year's festival attracted 20,000 people - its largest attendance ever - after having to move online last year because of the pandemic.

Rachael Greenfield, Bloodstock festival director, says organisers had done "everything in their power" to lessen the risks and went "above and beyond" government Covid guidance.

She says while there was "no guarantee" all the cases derived from the event, it was "impossible" to completely remove the risk of infection.

What is the vaccine progress around the world?

More than five billion doses of coronavirus vaccines have been administered in over 190 countries worldwide.

China and India have administered the highest number of doses, with more than two billion and 600 million respectively. The US ranks third, with about 365 million.

But there are vast differences in the pace of progress in different parts of the world, and many states in Africa have struggled to get doses.

Find out more about vaccine progress around the world here.

BBC

Sturgeon rules out circuit breaker but urges 'voluntary action' to stem Covid spread

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Scotland's first minister has ruled out a circuit breaker lockdown to combat surging cases, and has said she will be "watching closely" to assess whether these numbers might translate into serious illness and hospital admissions.

Nicola Sturgeon is hopeful Scotland can get through its spike without the need for tough interventions, says David Wallace Lockhart, BBC Scotland's political reporter.

Instead, she has appealed to the public to take voluntary action to help avoid more rules in the future: by meeting outdoors, avoiding crowds and limiting physical contact.

BreakingEngland's R number 1.0 - 1.1

The coronavirus "R number" - the average number of people an infected person will pass the disease on to - is between 1.0 and 1.1 in England, according to the latest government figures.

Last week, it was between 0.9 and 1.2.

If R is below one, then the number of people contracting the disease will fall; if it is above one, the number will grow.

An R number between 1.0 and 1.1 means that, on average, every 10 people infected will go on to infect between 10 and 11 others.

'Stay outside for bank holiday in Wales' - minister

People need to take precautions going forward amid rising Covid case rates, says Wales's health minister - including staying "outside, if possible, over this bank holiday weekend".

Eluned Morgan says higher case rates are to be expected after restrictions were lifted.

She tells BBC Radio Wales: "At this point, it is important we hold our nerve and that we don't see this spreading further than necessary."

She urges young people, in particular, to take up the offer of a vaccine.

Covid: Stay outside for the bank holiday, urges minister