Sir Ian McKellen gets 'painless' coronavirus vaccine, encourages everyone to do the same 'for society'

bring in new national Covid restrictions within 24 hours as cases continue to rise. He has also called for the government to come up with a plan on children’s learning and for working parents.

direct to your inboxThe new variant of coronavirus has a much quicker rate of transmission than the original strain, research has confirmed.Prof Axel Gandy, from the statistic section of Imperial College London, told Radio 4 the higher rate of infection means that transmission of the disease would have tripled even during England's November lockdown.Researchers at Imperial College London have now confirmed the new strain increases the R number - the number of people that one infected person will

direct to your inboxSome schools could remain shut until mid-February as the new variant of the coronavirus continues to surge across the country.While primary schools in Greater Manchester are due to return on Monday, about a million pupils in primary schools in the south are not due to return until January 18.But fears are being raised that their scheduled return could actually be pushed back by another month, as cases continue to rise especially in London and the South East.Education

100-guest wedding where half of the attendees also caught the killer bug. Joginder Kaur felt ‘pressured’ to attend the massive ceremony despite UK government restrictions only allowing 30 people in mid-September.

direct to your inboxLuke Yates has left Salford to link up once again with former Red Devils boss Ian Watson at Huddersfield.The Australian quickly became a fan favourite with his all-action performances after joining the club from London Broncos. But despite the forward signing a new long-term contract to remain at the AJ Bell Stadium earlier this year, Watson made it one of his priorities to take Yates with him to the John Smith’s Stadium.And M.E.N.

coronavirus, as a new variant of the virus spreads. Tim Spector OBE is the lead scientist on the ZOE Covid Symptom Study app and Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London, and he has urged people to be cautious and to look out for the symptoms.

direct to your inboxCoronavirus infection rates in Greater Manchester have continued to creep up.The rate of infection in our region is up 3.4 per cent week-on-week as of December 16, according to the latest figures.In London, where tough Tier 4 measures have been introduced, infection rates are up 114 per cent week-on-week.‘Christmas bubbles' in London have been cancelled and people are being urged to stay at home. It marks a huge u-turn for the government, who until yesterday planned to relax

direct to your inboxA new strain of coronavirus driving spirally infection rates in London has already spread to every region in the UK, a health boss has warned. Scientists first became aware of the variant, now identified as VUI 202012/01 in October, after analysing a sample from September.

“It’s a very special day, I feel euphoric,” Sir Ian McKellen said after receiving the first of two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at Queen Mary University Hospital in London, England, per the Evening Standard. With more than 1.65 million people dead from COVID-19, Sir Ian, 81, said it was everyone’s duty to get vaccinated and help stop the spread of the disease.

Ian McKellen has safely received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with the veteran actor urging others to get vaccinated when they can. "It's a very special day, I feel euphoric!" the Lord of the Rings star said after getting the vaccine at the Queen Mary University Hospital in London on Wednesday, the Daily Mail reported.