Augustine. To the WHO. And at this critical moment, protecting the WHO’s credibility is a paramount priority.” “We have deep concerns about the way in which the early findings of the COVID 19 investigation were communicated and questions about the process used to reach them.””It is imperative that this report be independent, with expert findings free from intervention or alteration by the Chinese government.

Several buildings and four levels of structured parking are being proposed. The building heights range from 10 15 stories (which could be permitted in Urban Design District 8 if bonus criteria are met). The uses are mostly commercial. Rothbury’s Reg Warnes built a 5ft snow sculpture of Captain Sir Tom Moore in his garden (Image: ChronicleLive)Sign up to our newsletter for the latest Northumberland newsSign up to our newsletter for the latest Northumberland newsSubscribeWhen you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights.

You can unsubscribe at any time.Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow meSee ourprivacy noticeThe South African variant of Covid 19 is now in the North East.A case has been confirmed in Middlesbrough, with the Gazette reporting that while enhanced contact tracing is in place, the case has no obvious links to international travel.It is the first confirmed case of the mutant strain in our region.As of Wednesday, a spokesperson for the LA7 council group told ChronicleLive that there had not yet been a case detected in that area, which covers between Northumberland and DurhamDespite tougher border restrictions, the South African variant has been slowly spreading around England in recent weeks.Scientists are worried about the strain as they fear existing vaccines may not work as well against it.The Middlesbrough case is linked to the Marton and Coulby Newham areas and was identified as part of random sequencing by Public Health England.Read MoreCovid 19 vaccine take up lower in Newcastle BAME and low income communities, health boss confirmsMiddlesbrough Council has now set up surge testing in the town on Saturday.testing in which those living in certain postcode areas are advised to get tested even if they do not have symptoms, has been rolled out in other parts of the UK when a case is identified.The Department for Health and Social Care has previously “strongly encouraged” people to get tested to help “control and suppress the spread”.Esther Mireku, Consultant in Public Health, said: “I urge everyone over the age of 16 in the Marton and Coulby Newham areas to come forward for a test. This will help us understand more about the potential spread of this new variant.”While the overall Covid infection rate in Middlesbrough has now halved from its peak in early January, it has still not decreased as much as we would have liked.”The high prevalence of Covid in the town, combined with the reporting of this variant, are a reminder to everyone of the importance of staying at home as much as possible and following hands face space when out for an essential reason.”As of Friday, the town infection rate was 319 per 100,000 of population. It peaked at 676 on January 5.Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: “New variants are popping up in different towns and cities around the country.”What really important now is that we establish whether the variant has spread further around Middlesbrough.”I don want people to be unduly alarmed.