Final unlocking ‘risks 200 Covid deaths a day’

Latest updates and essential advice from The Independent [View in browser]( [Alternate text] Daily briefing July 13, 2021 Today’s essential news from the source you trust This morning’s headlines Lifting the final coronavirus restrictions will [pile pressure on the NHS](, England’s chief medical officer has warned, as government officials said a summer wave of Covid may lead to hundreds of daily deaths within weeks. Speaking at Downing Street as Boris Johnson confirmed plans to lift restrictions from next Monday, Chris Whitty said the suggestion of no pressure on the NHS was “not fully realistic”. At the same time, modelling for the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), shows that ending restrictions could lead to between 1,000 and 2,000 hospital admissions a day within weeks, with up to 200 deaths daily now thought to be likely. The new modelling from experts from the University of Warwick, Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine predicts a summer wave of Covid infections in the coming weeks, with Warwick making a central estimate of around 33,700 deaths by June next year. The size and scale of infections, hospitalisation and deaths will depend on how the public responds to measures being eased from next week. Marcus Rashford has insisted he will [“never apologise for who I am”]( after being subjected to racist abuse in the wake of England’s Euro 2020 final defeat. The forward was one of three players, alongside Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, who failed to score in the decisive penalty shootout against Italy on Sunday night. In the aftermath of the game, all three players were targeted with a torrent of racist abuse on social media, described by England manager Gareth Southgate as “unforgivable”. On Monday, Rashford responded to the abuse he had received by posting a defiant message to Twitter. “I’ve grown into a sport where I expect to read things written about myself,” Rashford said. “Whether it be the colour of my skin, where I grew up, or most recently, how I decide to spend my time off the pitch. I can take critique of my performance all day long... but I will never apologise for who I am and where I came from.” Climate change [should be treated as an emergency in the same way as Covid-19](, according to a new study. Governments should keep the public informed about climate emergencies in the same way they have with data during the pandemic, research led by the Glasgow Caledonian University Centre for Climate Justice said. The study comprised an online survey and interviews with participants from public, private and third-sector organisations in the Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa. Participants in the study observed that climate change, “despite being more deadly than the virus”, has “failed to elicit the same level of urgency” among governments and civil society. . We need your support The Independent employs over 100 journalists around the world to bring you news you can trust. Please consider showing your support with a contribution. [Contribute]( . Top stories [Flash floods in London after torrential rain batters capital]( [Dutch PM apologises for relaxing Covid rules too soon as cases surge]( [One fifth of donations to Tories ‘has links to property sector’]( . . Stories chosen for you - [‘A fire they poured petrol on’: PM and Patel condemned over football racism ‘hypocrisy’]( - [‘Cat curfew’: Outrage over Australian plans to keep cats at home 24/7]( - [Tyrone Mings calls out Priti Patel over claim she’s ‘disgusted’ at racist abuse]( - [Harry Kane: If you abuse anyone you’re not an England fan and we don’t want you]( - [Opinion: Housing policy has toxified the Tories – and voters will have revenge]( . News you can trust The Independent has a 100% NewsGuard trust rating [NewsGuard] [Find out more]( . If you can spare two minutes we’d love to hear your [feedback]( on our newsletters [Alternate text] Join the conversation or follow us [Twitter]( [Facebook]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's News email. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent News Daily Briefing email, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.