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

  • The Government said a further 13 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Thursday, bringing the UK total to 127,583. Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have been 152,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. The Government also said that, as of 9am on Thursday, there had been a further 2,613 lab-confirmed cases in the UK. It brings the total to 4,428,553.
  • Cases in our region: County Durham: 38,166, was 38,149; Darlington: 7,566, was 7,560; Gateshead: 13,804, was 13,800; Hartlepool: 8,935, was 8,935; Middlesbrough: 12,542, was 12,527; Newcastle: 23,752, was 23,735, North Yorkshire: 29,998, was 29,972; North Tyneside: 12,554, was 12,550; Northumberland: 17,558, was 17,548; Redcar and Cleveland: 9,341, was 9,334; South Tyneside: 11,381, was 11,379; Stockton-on-Tees: 15,967, was 15, 959; Sunderland: 22,139, was 22,132; York: 12,297, was 12,290.
  • Britain’s services sector rebounded in April, with growth hitting a seven-and-a-half-year high thanks to a surge of “pent-up demand” as lockdown restrictions eased further, according to figures. The closely watched IHS Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) recorded a better-than-expected reading of 61 for April, up from 56.3 in March and the fastest pace of growth since October 2013. A reading above 50 signals growth. The reopening of shops and outdoor dining on April 12 helped firms across the sector enjoy soaring demand, while the road map for lifting lockdown further also boosted forward bookings and new projects.
  • Older black adults remain the ethnic group least likely to have received a coronavirus jab, with figures suggesting around three in 10 have not been vaccinated. The lowest rates were estimated among those aged 50 and over identifying as black Caribbean and black African, at 66.8 per cent and 71.2 per cent respectively, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. This compares with 93.7 per cent of white British adults, with estimates for all ethnic minority groups lower than this. Rates were also estimated to be lower in people of Muslim or Buddhist faiths, those who do not speak English, those living in more deprived areas and disabled people.
  • The number of people furloughed on Government support in the UK dropped in March as businesses across the country prepared to reopen. Provisional figures show 14 per cent of eligible people in the UK were furloughed on March 31, compared to 16 per cent a month earlier. It marks the last set of data before pubs and non-essential shops were allowed to open for the first time in months. In April, thousands of businesses across the UK that had been closed since the start of the year welcomed back customers and staff. The latest figures do not include this period. They show that 1.06 million people in the accommodation and food services sector were furloughed on March 31, down by just 130,000 from the end of February.
  • The UK’s largest holiday company is to offer coronavirus tests for a fraction of standard prices to “make travel a possibility”. Tui said its cheapest package will be available for just £20, and consist of a lateral flow test and PCR test, which will be a requirement for people returning to or visiting England from green list destinations under new Government rules. A £50 package contains an additional PCR test, which will be needed for those travelling from a country on the amber list. PCR tests alone typically cost £120 each, although several travel companies offer them for £60.
  • Covid-19 vaccinations after the shocking discovery that it leaks people’s vaccination details. According to The Guardian, the booking system makes personal vaccination details easily accessible with basic personal details. The website allows users to book appointments using their NHS number. If users do not have their NHS number at hand, they can book an appointment with basic identity information. The process discloses a user’s vaccination process which means anybody with basic personal details of a friend, family member or colleague could easily access private medical information.