Five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Thursday morning.
1. Covid loan anti-fraud effort likened to Dad's Army
Government work to tackle fraud of Covid loans during the pandemic was like a "Dad's Army operation", according to a former Treasury minister. Lord Agnew, who stepped down in January over the government's performance on fraud, has told MPs the pandemic created "a happy time to be a crook". The Treasury says it struck the right balance between issuing loans quickly and guarding against fraud.
, the UK Health Security Agency has confirmed. The recipient, who had tested positive for Covid, says he was "disgusted" by the message, which was left in December.care home in Douglas has closed to visitors amid a near-50% weekly rise in Covid cases on the Isle of Man. Salisbury Street Care Home was shut following an outbreak affecting residents and staff, although some visits will be permitted on compassionate grounds. More than 185 new cases were reported on the island on Wednesday, bringing the total to 944 - up by 300 in the last seven days.With the Covid testing regime winding down,and new variants, scientists say.
. Carmarthenshire doctor Dr Rhys Thomas teamed up with colleagues in the US to create a simple but powerful device that can remove virus particles from the air. And Ysgol Gymraeg Ffwrnes Llanelli decided to buy materials - a fan, filter card and tape - for the DIY machines, rather than shelling out on pre-made purifiers. Several schools in the county are now using them.