'Don't wreck this now': Van-Tam's warning as some regions see rise in COVID cases

Professor Van-Tam: Vaccines don't save lives in fridges

England’s deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said that there was no evidence of increased risk of blood clots with the AstraZeneca jab, adding that “vaccines don’t save lives if they’re in fridges”.

EU Plans Digital Vaccine Passports to Save Summer Holidays

The UK will examine European Union proposals for a vaccine passport in the hope of reviving international travel for the summer holidays. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Britain was working with the EU and countries around the world on the issue. But England's Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said there was still "great uncertainty" around holidays on the continent, partly because the EU’s vaccination programmes were behind the UK's. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said plans for a "digital green pass" will be set out this month, which would allow people to prove they have had a jab or show the results of Covid tests. Report by Avagninag. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Hancock and Van-Tam urge public not to 'wreck it now'

Health secretary Matt Hancock and deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam urged the public to not 'wreck' progress in light of rising case numbers in parts of the UK.

Government reinforces stay at home message

The government has reinforced its stay at home message, saying it is too early to relax the rules despite the roadmap being set out and cases of coronavirus falling. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van Tam said people should not "wreck this now". Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Maharashtra reports 67,123, Karnataka registers 17,489 COVID cases

Maharashtra reported 67,123 fresh COVID cases, 56,783 discharges, and 419 deaths on April 17. While Maharashtra's capital reported 8,834 new COVID-19 cases, 6,617 discharges and 52 deaths in last 24 hours. On the other side, Karnataka today registered 17,489 new positive cases, 5,565 discharges and 80 deaths. Kerala also reported 13,835 new cases, 3654 recoveries and 27 deaths today. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh reported 11,269 new coronavirus cases, 6,497 recoveries, and 66 deaths in last 24 hours.

Kiren Rijiju tests positive for COVID-19

Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has tested positive for COVID-19. He took to Twitter handle and shared the information that he has tested positive for the virus. He is in self-isolation.