Gabriel Scally

2020 has not been a festive year for Europe, but as it comes to an end, many governments across the continent are scrambling to avoid stringent lockdowns during the Christmas season.

The prime minister says rapid mass testing could allow a return to normal.

Too little, too late, too flawed The UK government and its advisers were confident that they were "well prepared" when covid-19 swept East Asia. The four-pronged plan of 3 March to contain, delay, research, and mitigate was supported by all UK countries and backed, they claimed, by science.1 With over 30 000 hospital and community deaths by 12 May, where did the plan go wrong?2 What was the role of public health…

Exclusive: contact tracers say 'target-driven' culture puts them under huge pressure to achieve results

China, Portugal and Sweden are also not on the list.

"We are seeing numbers of cases per day, and numbers in hospital, that we just could not have comprehended prior to Christmas."

Scientists suggest delaying big family events as lockdown may not suppress virus enough

Scientists have repeatedly warned of a second surge of covid-19 infections as restrictions ease in the UK, but it hasn't happened – were they wrong or is it still to come?

Cramped living conditions may be accelerating UK spread of coronavirus. Analysis shows Covid-19 disproportionately affecting those living in 'the equivalent of Victorian slums'

The UK performed a significant U-turn in its handling of the coronavirus pandemic this week. After days of savage criticism in the press over its laggardly testing strategy, Britain's top health minister made a bold new pledge.