Sajid Javid, who has had two doses of vaccine, says his symptoms are mild. Beta variant of coronavirus spreading in France may evade vaccines, a scientist involved in advising the UK government has warned

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3.48pm BST

Italy reported 13 coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday against 11 the day before, the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections rose to 3,121 from 2,898.

Italy has registered 127,864 deaths linked to Covid-19 since its outbreak emerged in February last year, the second-highest toll in Europe after Britain and the eighth-highest in the world. The country has reported 4.28 million cases to date, Reuters reports.

3.39pm BST

Rachel Clarke, an NHS doctor and author, has pointed out that the UK’s health secretary has given incorrect advice about lateral flow tests (LFTs) in the video he posted on Twitter to announce his positive Covid-19 test.

In the video, Sajid Javid says: “I was feeling a bit groggy last night so I took a lateral flow test this morning.”

If you feel unwell:

Please *don’t* do what Sajid Javid describes here.

LFTs are for those without symptoms, as the NHS website clearly states.

A negative LFT does *not* rule out Covid.

If you have Covid symptoms, book a PCR test & self-isolate until the result is back https://t.co/aK9qGDRugy

Here’s the NHS guidance on LFTs. They’re for asymptomatic testing. If you have symptoms, you need to book a PCR test.

[Sajid Javid] please will you consider deleting this video? It contradicts NHS advice & may well mislead the public.

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Source: The Guardian