Thread by @Telegraph

Matt Hancock will soon give a coronavirus update as England's second lockdown comes to an end

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You can watch live here ⬇️

Matt Hancock has begun today's Downing Street press conference by saying the national restrictions have been working

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The study from @imperialcollege shows that the national restrictions have brought down cases by a third.

Over the last week the average number of positive tests is now 14,778, down from a peak of 25,331 on November 16

Today there are 15,712 patients in hospitals across the UK with Covid. That is down from 16,612 on November 23.

In England, in the week before the peak, the number of cases grew by 11%, but in the last week cases have dropped by 30%

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"In technical terms the R rate is back below one but only just," Mr Hancock adds

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The Health Secretary says, "While we can let up a little, we can't afford to let up a lot"

The UK has access to 357m doses of seven different vaccines, Matt Hancock says

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Today the UK begins the rollout of its university student testing programme.

In Liverpool where over 300,000 people with and without symptoms got tested, it managed to bring case rates down by over three quarters, Mr Hancock says

Matt Hancock urges anyone offered a test to take it, telling them "you might just save a life"

It will be another week or two before the impact of lockdown on hospital admissions is known

Matt Hancock says couples living apart in Tier 2 will only be able to see each other outside

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Coronavirus testing for students had not been made mandatory because it "brings in all sorts of other considerations," Mr Hancock says

Do you think coronavirus testing should be compulsory for university students travelling home for Christmas?

"The NHS is always at its busiest in January, February and into March. It's crucial going into that period that we have this under control," says NHS England national medical director Professor Stephen Powis

Matt Hancock says that some areas could be moved into a lower tier when the rules are reviewed after 14 days

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"I have absolutely no doubt that the military will continue to play a really important part in the community testing programme," says General Sir Gordon Messenger

Mr Hancock says there will be extra funding of up to £14 a test for local authorities

The Health Secretary says ministers are looking at whether hospitality venues could refuse those who haven't had the vaccine

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