Covid news: UK passes 40m vaccine first doses but expert warns full lockdown easing is ‘foolish’

See how we covered Saturday’s events live

Coronavirus in numbers

Pushing ahead with full lockdown easing on 21 June would be “foolish” and a “major risk”, an expert has warned, amid a surge in new cases of coronavirus.

Professor Stephen Reicher, who sits on the SPI-B advisory committee, said that the rise of the Delta variant meant the government’s own criteria did not support taking the final step to reopening.

It came as reports suggested ministers are considering delaying the full reopening date - or “Freedom Day” - by a fortnight to 5 July.

However further good news arrived on the vaccine front as the UK hit another milestone, with 40 million first doses administered in just six months.

And Chris Hopson, the chief executive of NHS Providers, said data from Bolton suggested that vaccines had “broken the chain” between coronavirus infection and serious illness.

Delta variant hospitalisations are increasing but not “very significantly” and, in Bolton at least, typically involve individuals who are “a lot younger and a lot less at-risk of very serious complication” or death – reducing the demand for critical care, he said.

On Friday daily coronavirus cases surpassed 6,000 for the first time since March and health secretary Matt Hancock said on Friday it was “too early to say” whether current plans could go ahead.

Saturday’s daily figure for new cases was down slightly, at 5,765, but that is still higher than Thursday’s tally.

Read more:

• UK’s daily infections pass 6,000, the highest level since late March
• Nearly 400,000 people still have long Covid a year after initial infection
• Pfizer jab recipients have fewer antibodies against Delta variant
• Which countries are on the travel ‘green list’?

Key Points

• UK passes 40m first-doses milestone
• Younger hospitalisations ‘suggest vaccines have broken the chain'
• 21 June reopening ‘foolish’ and ‘a major risk’, adviser says
• Another 5,765 UK cases recorded in one day
• Ministers ‘considering two-week delay’ to lockdown easing

[5 June 2021 18:45 · Peter Stubley]

The coronavirus pandemic will restrict D-Day commemorations for the second year running, with travel restrictions preventing many veterans and officials from attending.

In the small town of Carentan in Normandy this afternoon, Charles Shay was the only veteran at a ceremony to mark the 77th anniversary of the assault that helped bring an end to the Second World War.

The 96-year-old Mr Shay, who now lives in Normandy, was a 19-year-old US Army medic when he landed on Omaha Beach on 6 June 1944.

“We have no visitors coming to France this year for two years now. And I hope it will be over soon,” he told The Associated Press.

Charles Shay, a 96-year-old native American from Maine, salutes during a D-Day ceremony in Carentan, Normandy (AP)

[5 June 2021 18:58 · Peter Stubley]

Cruise ships return to Venice after restrictions eased

Protesters turned out in Venice today to demonstrate against the return of cruise ships, as a liner set sail from the city for the first time since coronavirus restrictions were eased.

Local residents held flags saying “No big ships” as the 92,000 tonne MSC Orchestra departed Venice port en route for Croatia and Greece.

“We are here because we are against this passage but also against a model of tourism that is destroying the city, pushing out residents, destroying the planet, the cities, and polluting,” said Marta Sottoriva, a 29-year old teacher and Venice resident.

Environmental protesters demonstrate against the return of cruise ships to the lagoon city (AFP via Getty Images)

[5 June 2021 19:09 · Peter Stubley]

If you live in the Scottish Highlands, then you could be visited by the ‘Jabbernaut’ - a mobile vaccination clinic that travels to more remote areas.

Today it was in the small village of Brora.

[5 June 2021 19:22 · Peter Stubley]

That’s it for our live coverage for today. Thanks for reading.

[5 June 2021 19:23 · Peter Stubley]