How Sajid Javid's press conference unfolded as Government says it will not implement 'plan B'
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Mr Javid’s appearance on Wednesday came amid mounting concern about rising cases and a faltering vaccination programme, with calls renewed for all those eligible for a jab or booster to come forward for an appointment.
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Hide AdMatthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, warned earlier on Wednesday that “we risk stumbling into a winter crisis” unless measures such as face masks and vaccine passports, which form part of the Government’s “plan B” are introduced in England.
He urged ministers to come up with a “plan C” of even tougher restrictions if those measures are insufficient to address pressure on the health service.
Meanwhile, it was also confirmed on Wednesday that deals have been agreed for two new treatments, which could be used for some of those most vulnerable to the effects of Covid-19.
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Hide AdMr Javid was joined at the press conference by Dr Jenny Harries, UK Health Security Agency’s chief executive, and Professor Stephen Powis, the national medical director for NHS England.
See some of the main points from Mr Javid’s press conference below.
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Downing Street press conference LIVE: Follow updates from Health Secretary Sajid Javid
Key Events
- Health Secretary Sajid Javid will lead a press conference at Downing Street from 5pm on Wednesday, October 20.
‘Winter in crisis'
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, warned “we risk stumbling into a winter crisis” if further measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 are not introduced.
The NHS Confederation is the membership organisation that represents the whole healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Mr Taylor went on to say that the NHS is preparing for what could be “the most challenging winter on record” and urged the public to “show extra support for the NHS” by “behaving in ways that will keep themselves and others safe”.
He added: “It is time for the Government to enact Plan B of its strategy without delay because without pre-emptive action, we risk stumbling into a winter crisis.
“Also, health leaders need to understand what a ‘Plan C’ would entail if these measures are insufficient.
“The Government should not wait for Covid infections to rocket and for NHS pressures to be sky high before the panic alarm is sounded.”
A message from England’s Chief Medical Officer
Professor Chris Whitty, England’s Chief Medical Officer, issued a message about rising Covid cases on his Twitter account.
Majority likely to comply if mandatory mask-wearing reinstated, says expert
The majority of people are likely to obey a rule to wear face coverings in England if it is reintroduced by the Government as part of its winter plan, a behavioural expert has predicted.
Professor Linda Bauld said the nation is “the outlier” in the UK when it comes to coronavirus safety measures, as many aspects included in the Westminster Government’s Plan B are already in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The behavioural scientist, who is Professor of Public Health at the University of Edinburgh, said the main issue is communication, and added that making something mandatory is a “big shift” which sends a message that people need to comply.
Under the Government’s current Plan A strategy, people in England are advised to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed settings but it is not a legal requirement.
What do you think, and have you still been wearing a mask?
Coronavirus figures update
The Government said a further 179 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday, bringing the UK total to 139,031.
Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics show there have now been 164,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
As of 9am on Wednesday, there had been a further 49,139 lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK, the Government said.
What has No 10 said about future Covid measures?
Downing Street has said there are no plans for a further Covid-19 lockdown in England.
A No 10 spokesman said: “We have set out our autumn and winter plan in terms of ‘Plan A’ and ‘Plan B’, and we continue to look at the latest scientific data.
“There isn’t any proposed plan for any further lockdowns. We are sticking to the autumn and winter plan we have set out.”
BREAKING: Deals agreed for new treatments for those most at risk from Covid-19
Deals have been agreed for two new treatments which could be used for some of those most vulnerable to the effects of Covid-19, it was announced at 5pm on Wednesday.
Thousands of courses of the antivirals have been secured by the Government to be ready for use this winter, subject to approval by the UK medicines regulator.
The treatments, from pharmaceutical companies Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD), and Pfizer, would be aimed at those most at risk from the virus, including the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
The impact Covid could have this winter
Mr Javid is outlining how Covid and other seasonal viruses could thrive over the winter months, and said “this pandemic is not over”. Cases are starting to rise, he continued, and we are starting to see the impact with 43,738 new cases recorded in the UK on Tuesday, October 19.
Cases could go on to reach “100,000 a day” he said.
An update on defences
Mr Javid said: “Today, as we approach this critical time for our nation’s recovery, I wanted to bring you up to date with some of the work we are doing to strengthen those defences.”
He is now providing details of the antirviral treatments announced at 5pm. Click here for a reminder on that.
‘The gap is narrowing'
The Health Secretary has said the gap between the vaccine and the virus is now narrowing, and is calling for everyone who is eligible for a vaccine, or for a booster, to come forward now and take up the offer.
“We can’t be complacent when Covid-19 remains such a threat.”
Call for mask-wearing on public transport
Trade union Unite, which represents tens of thousands of transport workers, has called for the return of mandatory face mask wearing on public transport.
The union’s national officer for passenger transport, Bobby Morton, said: “The Government can no longer pretend that Covid-19 is not a risk and needs to take immediate action to protect key workers and passengers.
“By reintroducing mask wearing the danger of infection to both bus workers and passengers is significantly reduced.
“This is a sensible measure the Government could and should take that does not damage the economy in anyway.
“The reintroduction of mask wearing must go hand-in-hand with the proper enforcement of such rules.”
Variants
Mr Javid told the conference that coronavirus, like other viruses, mutates - and we must be ready for whatever is round the corner.
He said that they are “identifying new variants all of the time”, including a new Delta variant, currently known as AY4.2.
The new variant is spreading.
‘We have the jabs, we just need the arms to put them in'
All of those who are eligible for jabs and boosters are being urged to come forward for their own safety “but for your freedoms too”.
With regards to boosters, Mr Javid reminded everyone who falls into one of the eligible categories that they can book once they reach six months from their second dose.
Sajid Javid said: “Little steps make a big difference, and they are more important now than they have ever been. If we all play our part, then we can give ourselves the best possible chance in this race, get through this winter, and enjoy Christmas with our loved ones.””
The Health Secretary also outlined a number of steps that people can take to stay safe and mitigate their risk:
* Meet outdoors where it is possible
* Let fresh air in indoors or wear face coverings in crowded spaces
* Take lateral flow tests as part of your weekly routine
Dr Jenny Harries, UK Health Security Agency’s chief executive, and Professor Stephen Powis, the national medical director for NHS England, have joined Mr Javid at the press conference. Dr Harries has been outlining some of the most recent Covid stats, and the impact that the vaccination and booster programmes are having on serious illness and death.
Speaking at the Downing Street briefing, she said: “What we can see is that the cases now are almost as high as they were in July and actually not far off where they were last winter.
“What we are not seeing is that dip down again at the other side of the peak and that is really important because we are kicking off the winter at a really high level of cases.
“Fortunately that is not currently working through into serious disease and deaths.”
Questions from the public and press
Ruth, from Cornwall, presented a question about the mandatory use of face coverings, due to a rise in cases.
Mr Javid said: “We still feel it’s absolutely the right decision to start to learn to live with this virus.”
The Goverment’s “plan B” measures for the colder months would include making face masks mandatory, he added.