England’s plan to lift all restrictions by June 21 has been pushed back by the country’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.
Johnson says the date dubbed “freedom day” by many residents, now has to be pushed back by four weeks to allow further vaccinations.
It comes as the highly infectious Delta variant spreads rapidly throughout the country, at a rate of 7 percent week-on-week.
The government fears that if restrictions are fully eased now, hospitalisations could reach the levels they were at during Britain’s first wave.
The new planned date for the full easing of restrictions is July 19, which will give health authorities a further four-week window to fully vaccinate those most vulnerable.
Which Covid-19 vaccine is more effective?
Health authorities have confirmed that both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing hospitalisation.
After two doses, the Pfizer shot is 96 percent effective at reducing hospitalisations, whilst AstraZeneca’s version is 92 percent effective.
The analysis was conducted by Public Health England and is a promising sign as countries begin to move into a post-pandemic world.
“It is absolutely vital to get both doses as soon as they are offered to you, to gain maximum protection against all existing and emerging variants.”
PHE SAYS.
Further work remains underway to establish the level of protection against mortality from the Delta variant. However, as with other variants, this is expected to be high.
The analysis included 14,019 cases of the Delta variant – 166 of whom were hospitalised – between 12 April and 4 June, looking at emergency hospital admissions in England.
Public Health England (PHE) has previously published analysis showing that one dose is 17 per cent less effective at preventing symptomatic illness from the Delta variant, compared to Alpha, but there is only a small difference after 2 doses.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock says the UK vaccination programme continues at pace and has already saved thousands of lives and notes “It is our way out of this pandemic.”
“This evidence of the effectiveness of two doses against variants shows just how crucial it is to get your second jab.”
“These hugely important findings confirm that the vaccines offer significant protection against hospitalisation from the Delta variant.
The vaccines are the most important tool we have against COVID-19. Thousands of lives have already been saved because of them.
It is absolutely vital to get both doses as soon as they are offered to you, to gain maximum protection against all existing and emerging variants.
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at PHE, said:
Vaccines Minister, Nadhim Zahawi says It is extremely encouraging to see research showing that vaccines are continuing to help break the link between hospitalisation and the Delta variant after one dose, and particularly the high effectiveness of 2 doses.
Separate PHE analysis indicates that the COVID-19 vaccination programme has so far prevented 14,000 deaths and around 42,000 hospitalisations in older people in England, up to 30 May.
William is an Executive News Producer at TICKER NEWS, responsible for the production and direction of news bulletins. William is also the presenter of the hourly Weather + Climate segment.
With qualifications in Journalism and Law (LLB), William previously worked at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) before moving to TICKER NEWS. He was also an intern at the Seven Network's 'Sunrise'.
A creative-minded individual, William has a passion for broadcast journalism and reporting on global politics and international affairs.
Australia’s AI workforce revolution: automation paves the way for a four-day work week.
In Short
UiPath’s report highlights the rapid shift towards “agentic automation,” where AI makes autonomous decisions, encouraging businesses to reassess roles and harness automation for productivity. This evolution may enable a four-day work week and necessitates the retraining of staff while ensuring regulations are in place for trust and compliance with AI integration.
The trend towards work reallocation is rapidly advancing, with UiPath’s new report identifying significant shifts in AI and automation.
Key insights from the report suggest a move towards “agentic automation,” where AI begins to make autonomous decisions. Yelena Galstian, Head of Solutions and Customer Advisory at UiPath shares her key insights.
Organisations are encouraged to reassess existing roles and identify areas where automation can enhance productivity.
A critical aspect will be the orchestration of collaboration between human employees, AI agents, and software robots to ensure effective teamwork.
Looking ahead, the motto for businesses is to “redesign and reassign” processes while considering how AI can handle repetitive tasks, allowing human employees to focus on more complex responsibilities.
As organisations embrace these changes, we could see a potential transition to a four-day work week, made feasible through increased efficiency and productivity from AI.
For further insights into the research and methodologies for implementing AI in business, interested parties can connect with the UiPath team through their website.
As global tourism revenue surges, cutting-edge technology and automation are revolutionising the hospitality industry.
Global travel demand remains strong heading into 2025, with industry experts predicting record-breaking tourism revenue.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, global tourism revenue is set to hit $1.9 trillion this year.
With record-breaking growth projected for the travel industry, hospitality leaders are embracing AI, automation, and luxury innovations to enhance guest experiences.
As demand for international travel remains strong, hospitality businesses are adapting to evolving traveler expectations through technology and innovation.
One of the key trends shaping the industry is the rise of artificial intelligence and smart automation.
From AI-powered customer service to energy-efficient hotel management systems, technology is redefining guest experiences.
Luxury boutique hotels like London’s Eccleston Square Hotel are at the forefront of this transformation.
Known as one of the world’s most technologically advanced hotels, Eccleston Square has recently unveiled a major tech upgrade.
The hotel is now using Apple TVs from ROOMNET, an advanced automation system developed with Leading Edge Automation, and a cutting-edge building management system by HSYCO. These innovations enhance operational efficiency while maintaining a commitment to sustainability.
These enhancements work in sync with the hotel’s property management system, MEWS, to create a smarter, more sustainable hospitality experience.
As AI continues to reshape the hospitality landscape, Eccleston Square Hotel’s approach reflects the industry’s broader shift toward innovation, efficiency, and sustainability—paving the way for the future of luxury travel.
Olivia Byrne, Owner and Company Director Eccleston Square Hotel joins Veronica Dudo to discuss.
Reform UK surpasses Labour in polling for first time, with Brexit leader Nigel Farage gaining support amid Conservative decline.
In Short
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has overtaken Labour in a YouGov poll with 25% support, while Labour sits at 24% and the Conservatives at 21%. This shift indicates growing discontent with the government, particularly as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch struggles to regain support.
The poll, conducted among 2,223 adults at the beginning of February, shows Reform UK at 25 percent support, a rise of two points from the previous poll.
Labour has declined by three points to 24 percent, while the Conservative Party has dropped to 21 percent.
While these results are notable, the next general election is not required until August 2029, and Reform’s lead falls within the poll’s margin of error. POLITICO’s Poll of Polls shows Labour and Reform both at 25 percent, with Conservatives at 22 percent.
This polling data is troubling for the government, particularly after Labour’s dominance in the last election, where they achieved a majority with 33.7 percent of the vote. Reform UK was in third place with 14.3 percent.
The findings also reflect poorly on Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who seeks to restore support following recent losses.
YouGov indicates that 24 percent of those who voted Conservative in July would now choose Reform, with 43 percent of Conservative voters in 2024 favouring a merger between the two parties.