UK

Boris Johnson has been unable to say how many people weren’t traced by the NHS Test and Trace scheme as a result of 16,000 positive coronavirus cases being missed. An “IT failure” within Public Health England has been blamed by ministers for a delay in the reporting of 15,841 COVID-19 cases in England. It means

Almost half of the nearly 16,000 people with coronavirus missed by the Test and Trace system still have not had their contacts traced, the health secretary has admitted. An “IT failure” within Public Health England – a problem with an Excel spreadsheet reaching its maximum size – has been blamed by ministers for a delay

There has been a delay in nearly 16,000 positive coronavirus results being added to the official figures, the government has announced. It comes as a further 22,961 lab-confirmed cases of the coronavirus were recorded in the UK, taking the total number to more than 500,000 since the outbreak began. The government said that, due to

The coronavirus pandemic “will be bumpy through to Christmas” and potentially beyond that, Boris Johnson has warned, as he said it is is “too early to say” whether local lockdowns are effective in bringing down infection rates. The prime minister was asked specifically about Oldham, which has seen its COVID-19 infection rate double despite being

“Significant gaps remain” between the UK and the EU as Brexit negotiations continue, the European Commission’s president said, but talks will continue in an attempt to strike a deal. On Twitter, Ursula von der Leyen said she has had a “good phone call” with Boris Johnson, during which they discussed how negotiations have been progressing

Liverpool, Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough have become the latest regions to enter local lockdowns, resulting in more than a third of the UK population living under heightened restrictions. The new restrictions on northwest England, similar to those imposed in the North East earlier this week, took effect from 12.01am on Saturday. During his announcement Health Secretary

There is “some limited evidence” that the recent sharp increase in new coronavirus cases in England is levelling off, the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said. New cases of COVID-19 in England were around 8,400 per day in the latest week up to 24 September – down from around 9,600 per day during

Pressure is mounting on an MP who broke coronavirus rules to quit, after she was accused of making “a huge error of judgement”. Margaret Ferrier has already been kicked out of the SNP parliamentary party but is facing calls to leave the Commons completely over her actions. She travelled from Scotland to London on Monday

Turkey and Poland have been added to England’s quarantine list, meaning travellers from the countries will have to self-isolate for two weeks. People arriving from those destinations after 4am on Saturday will be required to quarantine, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced. The Caribbean islands of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba have also been added

The EU Commission says it will start legal action against Boris Johnson’s bid to potentially override parts of the Brexit deal. Brussels claims the prime minister is breaching the “good faith” promise both sides signed up to in the withdrawal agreement struck and passed by parliament last year. President Ursula von der Leyen said given

Boris Johnson has warned Britons that the “only way” to avoid a new national lockdown is to follow the latest coronavirus rules. The prime minister, flanked by his chief medical and scientific advisers for the 100th coronavirus briefing from Downing Street since the start of the pandemic, said the UK faced a “critical moment” in

Service restrictions have been put in place at a hospital in Wales after 82 cases of coronavirus were confirmed. A major outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant. Live updates on coronavirus from UK and around world Image: Royal Glamorgan Hospital The hospital said the “significant temporary service restrictions”,

Four more areas in North Wales are being put in local lockdown following a rise in coronavirus cases, the health minister has said. Vaughan Gething says the measures are in place for Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Wrexham, and will affect half a million people. From 6pm on Thursday: People will not be allowed to enter

Deaths involving COVID-19 have increased for the second consecutive week in England and Wales. There were 139 deaths which mentioned coronavirus on the certificate – up from 99 the previous week, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). COVID-19 deaths still only accounted for 1.5% of all deaths. Live updates

Household mixing in any setting is to be made illegal in large parts of the north east of England as the number of coronavirus cases “continues to rise sharply”. It was already illegal for two households to mix indoors or in the garden, but until now it was only guidance that they should not meet

Tighter social restrictions could be imposed if coronavirus infections continue to rise, a minister has suggested. Helen Whately said “we don’t want to” bring in measures taking the UK back towards a second national lockdown but cautioned the government is keeping a “constant eye” on COVID-19 cases. Asked on Sky News’ Kay Burley show what