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Coronavirus: The 7 major developments that happened on Thursday

Watch: Slough, Stoke-on-Trent and Coventry to move into Tier 2

Here’s what you need to know on 22 October. This article was updated at 3.45pm.

Deaths: Scotland has recorded 17 further deaths, and Northern Ireland has recorded five, linked with COVID-19. A further 152 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England, though the deaths are from between 3 September and 21 October.

Scotland: People in Scotland have been warned to expect a “digital Christmas” this year. An advisor to Nicola Sturgeon said he hoped there would be some form of normality, but said that usual multi-household gatherings would not be possible. Read more here.

Local lockdowns: Stoke-on-Trent, Coventry and Slough are to move into Tier 2 of the coronavirus restrictions amid rising rates of infections in the regions. Discussions have also begun with Warrington about moving into Tier 3. Read more here.

Hospitals in Liverpool are treating more people now for coronavirus than during the first wave of the pandemic, according to a medical director. The Liverpool City region is in Tier 3, the toughest of the restrictions. Read more here.

Economy: The UK government has announced new measures to support businesses and employees hit by Tier 2 local lockdown restrictions. Chancellor Rishi Sunak on Thursday told parliament that hospitality businesses in Tier 2 areas would be eligible for new grants. Read more here.

Shielding: Scientists have expressed shock that shielding remains paused and said vulnerable people may feel pressured to go back to work. Advice has remained the same that vulnerable people don’t need to shield, even if they live in a Tier 3 area. Read more here.

Vaccines: The Oxford-Astra Zeneca vaccine team has said the inoculation behaves as desired. It has been hailed as a “wonderful example of cross-disciplinary collaboration”. Read more here.

Watch: UK scientist says coronavirus likely to be around forever

Coronavirus: what happened today

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