These are the UK coronavirus stories you need to know about today.
Up to 1 in 8 may have tested positive for COVID-19
About 1 in 8 people in England would have tested positive for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in December, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed.
In Wales, around 1 in 10 people would have been positive, and in Scotland the proportion was 1 in 11, the ONS said.
The proportion was lowest in Northern Ireland, with an estimate of 1 in 13 with antibodies last month, the numbers suggested.
In England there was a significant difference in antibody size between regions, from 16.8% in Yorkshire and The Humber compared to 4.9% in the South West.
The provisional analysis was based on the results of a blood test taken from a randomly selected basement of people aged 16 years and older.
Lawrence Young, a pathologist and professor of molecular oncology at Warwick School of Medicine, told the Science Media Center that the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 found in the UK is “more widespread and could account for the bring about the higher levels of infections as detected by antibodies “.
Estimates came from a longitudinal study to detect COVID-19 in the general population carried out in partnership with Oxford University, the University of Manchester, and Public Health England.
Mortality COVID-19
More than 90,000 people have now died from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, new figures have revealed.
There were 17,751 deaths recorded in England and Wales in the week ending January 8, an increase of 7682 on the previous week, ONS figures showed.
Of the deaths recorded in the first week of January, 6057 reported COVID-19, making up 34.1% of deaths in England and Wales.
Of those deaths with COVID-19, 88.6% recorded this as the leading cause of mortality.
Statisticians warned that the latest figures affected Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Bank Holiday.
Scotland’s Lockdown Confirmation until mid-February
Scotland’s pandemic lock was extended until at least mid-February.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she hoped schoolchildren would gradually return to classes in the middle of next month.
Ms Sturgeon told MSPs that Scotland was living in a “very precarious position”.
She said: “Any break from locking down while numbers are high, even if they are in decline, could quickly reverse the situation.
“We think the locking restrictions – and the sacrifices that everyone is pursuing – are starting to take effect. However, it’s important to be careful.”
There have been level 4 restrictions in most of Scotland since Boxing Day.
Vaccine roll
The Department of Health and Social Care said it was an “important milestone” in the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines, saying 4.06 million people in the UK were given the first doses of vaccine up to 17 January.
They said more than half of people aged 80 and over and more than half of former care home residents had been vaccinated.
The DHSC said 10 major vaccine centers would start operating today in England.
The 10 new vaccination sites are at:
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Bournemouth International Center
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Taunton Racecourse
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Blackburn Cathedral
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Salt Hill Activity Center, Slough
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Norwich Food Court, Castle Quarter
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The Lodge, Wickford, Essex
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The Princess Royal Sports Center, Lincolnshire
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St Helens Rugby Field
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Park and Bike at Askham Bar, York
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Olympic Office Center, Wembley, London
Immunity Response Study into COVID Long
The risk of developing prolonged COVID may be established shortly after infection with SARS-CoV-2 with the patient’s early immune response, according to a study prediction.
A research team led by Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge found that an early strong immune response, in the absence of systemic inflammation, was associated with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19.
A more severe and more advanced disease was associated with profound persistent dysregulation in circulating immune cells and with evidence of early systemic inflammation.
The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, was based on 207 COVID-19 patients with a range of infectious diseases taken at regular interviews over three months after symptoms onset. These were compared with samples from 45 healthy controls.
The scientists noted an early, strong immune response in infected people who had the asymptomatic or slightly symptomatic disease.
Among hospitalized patients, a variable early immune response was delayed, and profound anomalies in several white cell subsets were present.
Dr Laura Bergamaschi, the first author of the study, said: “It is the numbers of immune cells that are still showing an anomaly even when everything else seems to have found its own solution. may be important in prolonged COVID For some cell types, they may be just slow to regenerate, but for others, they involve some types of T and B cells , something seems to be continuing to drive the action. “
Dr Paul Lyons, senior co-author, said: “Our evidence suggests that the journey to true COVID-19 may be established immediately after infection, or at the latest around the time. This finding could have a significant impact on how the disease needs to be managed, as it suggests that we need to start treatment to stop the disease. a system of early damage. “
Experts called for larger studies to confirm the results.
University of Warwick scientist Professor Young said: “This could mean that early intervention with treatments that target the virus and / or the immune system could prevent it. severe disease and even prolonged COVID development. “
Young people ‘unable to get involved’ during Pandemic
The pandemic has taken a “terrible toll” on young people’s mental health, says a new report.
The Prince’s Trust Tesco Youth Index found that 26% of people aged 16 to 25 said they had not been able to cope with life since the outbreak began.
This increased to 40% for those not in work, education or training.
It also found that 50% of the 2,180 young people who were consumed reported that their mental health had deteriorated due to COVID-19.
Jonathan Townsend, the charity’s chief executive, said: “The pandemic has wreaked havoc on young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
“They are facing a riotous education, a declining job market, and loneliness from their friends and loved ones, and as a result, too many are losing all hope at the moment. future.
“As always, it is the unemployed young people – and those with few qualifications and little confidence – who have even more negative experiences.”
Matt Hancock is lonely after being ‘Pinged’
Matt Hancock / Twitter
Matt Hancock is self-absorbed after being pinged by the NHS coronavirus app on Monday night. England’s Secretary of State for Health and Social Care said he would work from home for the rest of the week and not leave home until Sunday.
“I know from the app that I’ve been in close contact with someone who has been positive, and this is how we break the distribution chains,” he said in a video posted on Twitter.
Mr Hancock revealed at the end of March last year that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
See more global coronavirus updates in the Medscape Coronavirus Resource Center.