COVID-19: UK set to reach herd immunity 'milestone' within days, say scientists

Britain is set to reach herd immunity against COVID-19 within days marking a "milestone" in the fight against coronavirus, according to scientists.

Latest stories

  • The Duchess of Cambridge’s secret power comes down to one personality trait

    Among the heartache, grief and loss at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral on Saturday there was an outstanding ray of positivity that it was impossible to ignore, and one that couldn’t have been more simple and more powerful. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, stood tall and graceful. Her poise, elegance and quiet confidence reassured us that the monarchy is in good hands. She has often been described as selfless and resilient, but on Saturday it became clear that it is her positivity – a characteristic she has had all her life – that outranks all these other qualities and stands her in such good stead. Not only can Prince William count on her, but his rather confused brother and the wider Royal family can also be grateful they have such a positive influence in their midst. Joining the Royal family is far from easy, with its endless demands and lack of freedom. Catherine, now aged 39 and mother of three small children, quickly understood what her life would be and has been determined to make the very best of it. She accepted and understood what the country and the monarchy expected of her with elegance and dignity. Her beauty is not skin deep. Instead of complaining about her position, she has learnt to appreciate what it can offer to others. Watching her after the funeral was impressive. The royals were expected to follow the Queen and be driven from St George’s Chapel the short journey to Windsor Castle, but at the last minute they decided they would all walk back in the glorious sunshine.

  • Thousands could fly to England from India before it joins Covid travel ‘red list’

    Thousands could fly to England from India before it joins Covid travel ‘red list’. UK government accused of acting too slowly as fears grow over new variant discovered in subcontinent

  • As Alexei Navalny is moved to hospital, a new approach to Russia is needed

    If the west is really not interested in pushing back at Russian aggression with equally bold moves, it should give up the pretence that it is serious about taming an increasingly feral Putin

  • Florida just signed into law one of the most dangerous bills in America

    The ‘anti-riot’ bill brought in by Governor DeSantis means fully peaceful protesters can be arrested — yet includes protections for counter-protesters who kill people with their vehicles

  • SNP's plan to scrap NHS dental charges could see services cut

    The SNP’s plan to scrap charges for NHS dentistry could mean cuts to services and may see more patients forced to turn to the private sector for treatment, Anas Sarwar has warned. The Scottish Labour leader, who worked as an NHS dentist in Paisley before entering politics, said he supported the principle of free care but was concerned at a lack of detail announced by Nicola Sturgeon. A pledge to scrap dentistry charges, expected to cost £100 million a year initially, was one of a series of expensive giveaways included in the SNP manifesto last week. Mr Sarwar warned the policy could prove counterproductive if it was not implemented properly, and said the nationalists had a track record of failing to properly fund services. “The devil is in the detail,” said the Glasgow MSP. “What risks happening is, and this has happened too many times under this government already, is you reduce the number of treatments that are available on the NHS, meaning you're pushing more people to getting private treatments. "I think we need to see the detail of what this policy means in practice before we can make a wider comment on whether it is fit for purpose or not.

  • Lady Louise – the close bond between the Queen, Prince Philip and their youngest granddaughter

    Over the past 10 days, as all eyes have been on Windsor following Prince Philip’s death, a sombre little face has cropped up again and again. Always in the background, poised and respectful, quietly allowing more senior members of the family to take centre stage, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor seemed to grow into a fully fledged member of the Firm in front of our eyes. She accompanied her parents everywhere last week, standing between them as they viewed floral tributes to her grandfather outside St George’s Chapel, attending a church service, going with them to meet members of the Windsor Estate staff to share memories and condolences and, on Saturday, watching on as her father, uncles and aunts and older cousins followed her beloved grandpa’s coffin.

  • India Added To UK's Covid Travel 'Red List', Announces Matt Hancock

    The restrictions will come into force from Friday morning.

  • European Super League: why punishing the breakaway 12 could backfire badly

    Everyone seems united against the new proposals, but can they really be stopped?

  • New images from 'Line Of Duty' hint at what happened to DI Kate Fleming

    Pictures from the new episode give hope to Vicky McClure fans.

  • Trump says he is ‘beyond seriously’ considering 2024 presidential run, misses ‘helping people’

    Former president gives first sit down interview with major news network since he left for Florida

  • The quiet making of our future queen

    It is arguably one of the best photographs ever to have been taken of the Duchess of Cambridge. Capturing not only the sombre mood of the occasion but also the steely determination of a family in mourning, Kate’s sorrowful green eyes stared straight down the lens as she was pictured arriving at Windsor Castle for the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral on Saturday. Taken by Getty photographer Chris Jackson, who is married to the Duchess’s stylist Natasha Archer, the extraordinary image revealed the steady yet serious gaze of a Royal whose decade in the monarchy has been characterised by quiet confidence and calm self-composure. Resplendent in the Queen’s pearls, even behind a black face mask, the 39-year-old mother of three managed to exude both style and substance as she was thrust back into the spotlight for her first major Royal event since that Oprah Winfrey interview. Despite having effectively been thrown under a bus by the Duchess of Sussex’s suggestion that she had made her cry during a bridesmaid’s dress fitting – and not the other way round – it was Kate who was the first in the 30-strong congregation to engage Prince Harry in polite conversation following the 3pm ceremony at St George’s Chapel. Having repeatedly looked over at her brother-in-law, seated opposite, during the 50-minute service while both William, 38, and Harry, 36, buried their heads in their orders of service, the woman once cruelly dubbed “Waity Katie” showed just how much she shares what Prince Philip once described as the Queen’s “abundance of tolerance”.

  • Wearing two masks can double effectiveness of face coverings, study finds

    If done properly, doubling-up eliminates gaps and poor-fitting areas

  • ‘I don’t need lectures from you’, Keir Starmer tells anti-lockdown landlord sharing misinformation

    Pub owner tells Labour leader he has ‘failed to be the opposition’ on Covid-19

  • Mare of Easttown: Kate Winslet ‘hid in boot of car’ to make ‘nervous’ co-star comfortable during sex scene

    Co-star Angourie Rice reportedly told her, ‘Thank god, Kate, thank you so much!’

  • Virus variant identified in India could ‘catch out’ the vulnerable – expert

    Professor Danny Altmann, of Imperial College London, warned variants ‘do pose a threat’ and ‘we still have a very large vulnerable population’.

  • No man-to-man for Prince Charles and Harry as Duke heads back to US

    The Duke of Sussex will return to California without having a private meeting with his father, The Telegraph understands. Many family members had hoped the pair would take the opportunity to spend some time together alone, to air their differences face to face. But despite a 10,000-mile round trip, the Duke was either unable, or unwilling, to pin down the Prince of Wales, who is still coming to terms with the death of his father. While the Duke’s travel plans have not been disclosed, he is thought likely to return home to his pregnant wife, the Duchess of Sussex, 39, and their son Archie, who turns two next month, within the next day or two. The lack of any time spent with his father suggests that feelings over his Oprah Winfrey interview are still running high and the fallout remains raw.

  • Luxury homes left teetering over cliff after Wales beach landslide

    Thousands of tons of rocks fell onto the beach in Nefyn, near Pwllheli, North Wales - just minutes after people had been walking on the sand. Large parts of clifftop gardens and even furniture have tumbled down to the sand, leaving several large properties even closer to the cliff edge. Credit: Wales News

  • AstraZeneca issues legal notice to Indian manufacturer over vaccine delivery delays

    Indian government has put a temporary hold on all major exports of SII, a decision that affects 190 countries

  • What time is Nicola Sturgeon speaking today? Scottish first minister to make lockdown announcement

    There were 232 positive coronavirus tests in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of positive cases in Scotland since the start of the pandemic to 223,914

  • Olivia Colman said she was too ‘middle-aged’ for Marvel five years before MCU casting

    Despite doubts she’d ever achieve her career ‘dream’, Oscar winner will reportedly star in new Marvel series