Health

Coronavirus cases are falling again in Norfolk and Suffolk, but this will not be the only number civil servants pore over when deciding which tier to place the region in.

Families and loved-ones will be able to form “Christmas bubbles” to allow them to reunite over the festive period, the government has announced.

The region’s coronavirus infection rate is continuing to show encouraging signs, with all but two areas seeing declines, according to the latest figures.

Thousands of extra staff and volunteers are being recruited across Norfolk and Waveney to create a huge team to deliver the eagerly-awaited Covid-19 vaccines.

The region’s mental health trust has seen a “big increase” in new patients amid the coronavirus crisis, according to its chief medical officer.

Lockdown is to be replaced with a new tiered system, but there is no guarantee the region will be in the lowest tier.

England will face tiered coronavirus restrictions until the end of March. As the lockdown ends on December 2, more parts of the country are expected to be placed into higher tiers than they were before the national restrictions were imposed.

Coronavirus case rates have continued to fall in four of Norfolk’s districts - but health bosses have urged caution and said people need to keep vigilant to bring the numbers down.

National lockdown restrictions will end on December 2 with shops, gyms, pubs and restaurants allowed to reopen and limited numbers of spectators allowed back in grounds to watch football and other sports.

The East Anglian Air Ambulance is preparing to restart transferring patients between hospitals in a bid to support NHS and frontline emergency services with the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Staff at a meat processing factory in Eye are to be tested for coronavirus after three cases were confirmed among its workforce.

A coronavirus vaccine produced in the United Kingdom can prevent up to 90pc of people from getting Covid-19, new data has show.

Two Norfolk MPs and the county council leader have called for Norfolk to be placed in the lowest tier of Covid-19 restrictions once lockdown is over, saying the move would be “only sensible”.

England will enter a strengthened three tier system when national lockdown measures end on December 2.

England will exit the current national lockdown into a strengthened three tier system of local restrictions on December 2, Downing Street has said.

Suffolk’s first site for delivering Covid-19 vaccinations is to be ready in less than two weeks time, it has been confirmed – with Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich understood to be the first choice.

There is growing speculation that families could be allowed to join a temporary bubble to meet up over Christmas.

Suffolk is in line to get 75,000 rapid tests per week in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Health secretary Matt Hancock has said that he has formally asked the regulator to assess the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for use in the UK.

The number of beds occupied by coronavirus patients at the county’s biggest hospital has risen by more than 60pc in the space of a week.

A multi-million pound support package aimed at ensuring Norfolk’s children do not go hungry over the winter period has been unveiled.

The number of daily coronavirus cases in Norfolk has rocketed again.

Concern is growing over the increasing rate of coronavirus cases in people aged 60 and over in Norfolk - the age group generally most likely to need hospital treatment due to Covid-19.

Norfolk’s public health chief has urged people self-isolating to stick to the advice amid signs people are becoming ‘weary’ over the restrictions.

More than 50 Norfolk care homes and care settings have coronavirus outbreaks, with single cases in just over 70 more, worried council bosses have revealed.

South Norfolk has hit a new record high number of coronavirus cases for the ninth day in a row, the latest figures have revealed.

Marshals could be used outside schools to make sure pupils stick to social distancing rules to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Mouthwash could become just as important as wearing face coverings after a study found it kills off coronavirus within 30 seconds

Five motorcycles have been stolen in west Suffolk after thieves targeted bikes listed for sale on Facebook.