HERE'S everything you need to know about the pandemic: 

  • The Indian coronavirus variant has been detected in a number of areas in England which are reporting the highest rates of infection, data suggests. Data from Public Health England (PHE) shows a rise in cases of the Indian variant of concern from 520 to 1,313 this week in the UK, with the agency saying infections were “rising in the community” and it was assessing the impact and severity. Although the Indian variant is thought to be highly transmissible, vaccines are expected to be effective against it.
  • Last night, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said further easing of restrictions would go ahead as planned on Monday - but he added step four of the roadmap could be delayed.
  • People over 50 and the clinically vulnerable will be offered their second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine eight weeks after the first in a bid to dampen any impact from the Indian variant of coronavirus. Boris Johnson told a Downing Street press conference that second doses – which give people maximum protection against Covid-19 – will be brought forward from the planned 12-week interval to eight weeks.
  • Surge vaccinations in the regions worst hit by the Indian variant of coronavirus may go ahead after talks between council leaders and the Government. The leader of Bolton Council said there had been discussions with the Government about the introduction of vaccines for younger age groups and suggestions were it would be progressed as soon as possible. Asked about surge jabs, David Greenhalgh told BBC Radio 4’s The World at One: “This is an issue of capacity but we have had very, very constructive talks and certainly all the soundings are is that they are looking to progress that as soon as possible.
  • Portugal has confirmed it will reopen its borders to UK tourists from Monday. The announcement follows concern that tens of thousands of trips booked after the country was put on the UK Government’s green travel list would be cancelled. The uncertainty was caused by Portugal’s ministers deciding on Thursday to continue its current level of coronavirus lockdown restrictions until May 30 at the earliest.
  • Four in 10 adults would be more likely to attend an event if they were required to show proof of a negative coronavirus test, figures suggest. Some 41 per cent of adults were more positive about attending an event such as the theatre or a concert if they were required to show a negative test, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. A majority – 71 per cent – said they would be less likely to attend if it meant spending an extra two hours in the venue to allow for a socially distanced exit. An event without any social distancing, being required to wear a face covering for the duration of the event and being unable to eat food and drink also put adults off.
  • Around 45,000 pubs will reopen next week when lockdown restrictions are further eased, serving more than three million pints, it has been estimated. The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) welcomed hospitality venues being allowed to reopen for service indoors from Monday, but said they will still face heavy restrictions such as social distancing and table service only. The BBPA said it believes around 2,000 pubs – 5 per cent of the total – will remain closed despite indoor reopening.
  • A 12-week gap between Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine doses significantly increases the immune response in older people, research suggests. The antibody response in people aged over 80 is three and a half times greater in those who have the second dose after 12 weeks, compared with a three-week interval, the study found. Researchers said the study of 175 people, who were older than 80 and living independently, is the first direct comparison of the immune response in any age group for the different intervals. While the Pfizer jab was originally authorised for a three-week interval between doses, several countries including the UK extended it to 12 weeks so a greater percentage of the population could receive one dose quicker.
  • There were a further 83 cases reported in the North-East and North Yorkshire yesterday. A full break-down can be found here. There were 2,193 more cases across the UK, while another 17 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19