All ten boroughs will benefit from £18m national drive to restore ailing parks
Greater Manchester is set to benefit from a national £18m drive to improve or build new playgrounds in deprived communities.
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The fund was first announced in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ budget in November – but tonight the 66 areas around the country which will get a share of the cash has been revealed.
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The cash is ‘to buy new or upgrade playgrounds across the country’, according to an update from Communities Secretary Steve Reed. Areas with the ‘highest income deprivation affecting children and the poorest access to play’ have been chosen, according to the government.
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A further £301m is being invested to revive struggling high streets as part of the government’s ‘pride in place’ strategy, it has also been announced. The details of where this money is to be spent is yet to be announced.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed said: “People have watched their communities decline for too long, with little say over how they’re run. This government is determined to change that – giving communities the tools, the funding and the power they need to rebuild.
“From new playgrounds to reimagined high streets, we’re putting power back in people’s hands. People across the country will see and feel the difference this investment makes, restoring pride in local areas.”
Funding for playgrounds will flow straight to local areas, with no requirements to bid or compete against other places, according to the government. Councils receiving funding ‘will also be encouraged to consider buying British materials’.
The TV host was rumoured to be in talks with producers to join the hit BBC reality gameshow following the success of its first celebrity spin-off series.
This comes after it was rumoured that Hammond would appear in Netflix’s Bridgerton season 5.
🚨 THREE people may be hosting #Strictly , with 2 of the following:
Emma Willis Zoe Ball Alison Hammond Alex Jones Fleur East Angela Scanlon Mel Giedroyc
Speaking at a Q&A with series four leads Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson, Alison teased to an audience full of fans: “You won’t know this yet, but we’ve just been speaking, and apparently there’s a new character!”
Will Alison Hammond appear on Celebrity Traitors?
But, speaking on ITV’s The Jonathan Ross Show, the 51-year-old said: “I can’t do it because I’m doing Bake Off.
“I think it’s the same time when I’m doing Bake Off, so that’s a definite no.”
Set in the Highlands and hosted by Claudia Winkleman, The Traitors follows a group of 22 contestants – the majority of whom are known as faithfuls – as they try to seek out the murderous traitors among them who kill off players in the middle of the night in an attempt to win a cash prize.
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Following the success of the civilian version of the show, the BBC launched its first celebrity spin-off series last autumn, which featured a star-studded cast including Sir Stephen Fry, Jonathan Ross and Paloma Faith.
The series brought in an average audience of 14.9 million people during its run – the biggest TV audience of 2025.
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Hammond continued: “I’m so sorry, I would love to do that.
“I wouldn’t want to be a traitor though, I’d want to be a faithful. I don’t want no stress.”
Instead, Hammond will be fronting the popular Channel 4 baking show alongside comedian Noel Fielding and TV cook Paul Hollywood as a judge.
The trio will welcome cookbook author Nigella Lawson to the show, who joins the judging panel following Dame Prue Leith’s departure from the role.
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Speaking about Dame Prue leaving, Hammond said: “It’s kind of bittersweet. We love Prue.
“She’s incredible – she’s given nine years of her time, but we also want her to go and enjoy life as well.
“I think she’s 86 now. She’s got a wonderful husband and they want to do more things.
“When you’re doing Bake Off, your summer’s gone, literally.
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“It’s very bitter that she’s going, but we’re very excited that we’ve got Nigella Lawson. I can’t wait – I’m actually meeting her next week. We’re going to have a coffee and a little chat. She’s really excited.”
The TV cook announced in January that she was stepping down as a judge after fronting it since 2017, a decision she said came from a desire to “work less and play more”.
The Jonathan Ross Show airs on Saturday at 10pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
He will be joined by: Dr Anna Keay, member of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee and director of the Landmark Trust; St Andrews modern history Professor Chandrika Kaul; retired Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Stewart; Leonie Bell, director of V&A Dundee; Anne Lyden, director general of the National Galleries of Scotland; and Helen Webster, deputy director for cabinet, parliament and governance and secretary for commissions at the Scottish Government.
HAVANA (AP) — Cuba’s power grid collapsed Saturday leaving the country without electricity for a third time in March as the communist government battles with a decaying infrastructure and a U.S.-imposed oil blockade.
The state-owned Cuban Electric Union reported a total blackout across the island without giving a cause for the outage.
Authorities said they were working to restore power.
Power outages, whether nationwide or regional, have become relatively common in the last two years due to breakdowns in the aging infrastructure. The breakdowns are compounded by daily blackouts of up to 12 hours caused by fuel shortages, which also destabilize the system.
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The last nationwide blackout occurred on Monday. Saturday’s outage was the second in the past week and the third in March.
The blackouts have a significant impact on the population, whose lives are disrupted by reduced work hours, lack of electricity for cooking, and food spoilage when refrigerators stop working, among many other consequences.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel has said the island has not received oil from foreign suppliers for three months. Cuba produces barely 40% of the fuel it needs to power its economy.
Cuba’s aging grid has drastically eroded in recent years. But the government also has blamed the outages on a U.S. energy blockade after U.S. President Donald Trump in January warned of tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba. The Trump administration is demanding that Cuba release political prisoners and move toward political and economic liberalization in return for a lifting of sanctions. Trump also has raised the possibility of a “friendly takeover of Cuba.”
It’s also been named as one of the best places in Britain to eat noodles
Are these the best noodles in Cambridge?
After a long and stressful day at work, many people will reach for their favourite comfort food for a quick mood booster. Noodles are a popular option thanks to their versatility, how easy they are to make, and how warming they are when drenched in a cosy broth.
In Chinese culture, long noodles symbolise longevity and are an essential dish to have for celebrations such as New Year and birthdays. Cambridge is lucky to have plenty of restaurants serving up a range of noodles that are tasty enough to soothe any issue you might be facing.
The CamBites series sees our reporters going around Cambridgeshire in search of the best food that doesn’t cost a lot of money. The Two Treasure Hand Pulled Noodle Bar caught my eye, not only because it was named one of the best places to get noodles in Britain by The Observer, but also because you can watch the noodles being made.
I visited the noodle bar on a Tuesday at lunchtime with a friend expecting it to be fairly empty. However, when we arrived, the restaurant was absolutely packed with solo diners and groups of friends enjoying steaming bowls of noodles.
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You order before finding a table so there were lots of people huddled around the short but inviting menu. While queuing to order, you can watch the chefs hard at work making the hand pulled noodles right in front of you with an incredible ease.
I decided to try the pickled cabbage beef brisket ramen, which cost £13.80, and my friend went for the garlic chilli oil beef brisket ramen, which cost £12.80. We were pointed to a cosy little table right next to the kitchen and waited for our noodles to appear.
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Before long, my steaming bowl of noodles had arrived in a wonderfully colourful broth. The soup was topped with a dash of chilli oil, fresh coriander, pickled vegetables, and a generous portion of shredded spring onion.
The broth had a slightly sour flavour with a nice chilli kick that just tingled on the tongue and helped to clear out my sinuses. The heaps of noodles were bouncy, soft, and worked perfectly with the umami soup.
The pickled vegetables added a lovely crunch to the dish. The beef brisket was extremely tender and could easily be pulled apart using chopsticks.
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My friend’s noodle bowl did not come with a broth but was still topped with plenty of vegetables and beansprouts. The noodles were thick and springy but still as soft as the thinner noodles in the soup dish.
The garlic flavour was strong and the dish was a bit less spicy than the pickled cabbage option if you are not a fan of spice. If you want to make it hotter, each table has extra chilli oil you can add.
An extra bonus the restaurant does is free noodle refills. If you have finished your meal and still have lots of soup left, you can get another lot of noodles for free.
However, we didn’t need extra noodles as we were so full that we had to take home some of our food. Two Treasure is armed with plenty of tubs for takeout so they clearly have people taking home their leftover food regularly.
The noodle spot is truly a treasure in a city with loads of restaurants serving up bowls of ramen. Two Treasure Hand Pulled Noodle Bar is a must-visit for a quick dose of comfort food.
Two Treasure Hand Pulled Noodle Bar can be found at 85 Regent Street. The restaurant is open everyday from 11.30am to 9pm.
All of our food reviews are paid for by the writer. The establishments do not know we will be reviewing their food, allowing us to make fair judgements on each place.
The woman, named locally as Amy Doherty, was found injured at a property in the Summer Meadows Mews area of the city, but sadly died later in hospital
A murder investigation is underway after the death of a woman, who has been named locally as Amy Doherty.
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Police were called to the Summer Meadows Mews area of the city at around 10.20am on Saturday, March 21, after the woman was found injured.
She tragically died later in hospital. She has been named locally as mum-of-two Amy Doherty, who was in her late 20s. A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
On Saturday night, the Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairi McHugh said he was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the death of Amy.
“On behalf of the people of Derry and surrounding areas, I would like to extend the heartfelt sympathy & condolences to her family and loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time,” he said.
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“No words can ease the pain of such a loss, but please be assured that the community stands with you in grief, support, and solidarity.
“We all mourn together, and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
“We call on everyone to come together in compassion, to support one another, and to honour Amy’s memory in the days ahead.”
DUP Councillors Julie Middleton, Niree McMorris and Chelsea Cooke issued a joint statement and said: “As women representing the City at Council, this is utterly devastating news for our city. The loss of a woman’s life in such circumstances is both shocking and deeply distressing for the entire community.
“Our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with the victim’s family and loved ones as they face unimaginable grief. No family should ever have to endure such heartbreak.
“This is a stark reminder that violence, particularly against women, has no place in our society. Every woman and girl should feel safe in their own home and community.
“We must ensure that those responsible for such heinous acts are brought before the courts and held fully accountable.
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“We would appeal to anyone who may have information, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward to the PSNI and assist with their investigation.
“As a community, we must stand together to support the victim’s family and to send a clear message that such violence will never be tolerated.”
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson added: “There is widespread shock and devastation across the city to learn that police have launched a murder inquiry after the woman’s death.
“Our heartfelt thoughts are with this woman’s loved ones as they face the unimaginable loss which this horrific crime has brought upon them.
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“A young woman’s life was taken in the latest act of violence against women and girls and I appeal to anyone with information to bring it forward to the PSNI.
“The Executive’s Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls sets out how it aims to tackle this scourge in our society. But we must all do more to confront the causes and cultures behind this violence and to do everything possible to bring the harm and abuse of women to an end.”
Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin from the Police Service’s Major Investigation Team said: “Officers attended a property in the Summer Meadows Mews area of the city at around 10.20 am and located an injured woman at the scene.
“She was taken to hospital by our colleagues in the NIAS where she sadly died.
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“A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
“Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones, who are left trying to come to terms with this shocking loss.
“Our enquiries are continuing, and I am appealing to anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact our officers on 101 quoting reference 469 – 21/03/26.”
Information can also be provided, with total anonymity, to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
World Open snooker final: When is Ronnie O’Sullivan playing and how can I watch? | Wales Online
Need to know
Ronnie O’Sullivan takes part in the World Open final on Sunday after making a world-record 153 break in the quarter-finals
Ronnie O’Sullivan is into the 2026 World Open final(Image: VCG via Getty Images)
Everything you need to know about Ronnie O’Sullivan’s World Open final showdown:
Date of the final: The 2026 World Open final is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2026. The match follows a best-of-19 frames format, split into two sessions across the day at the Yushan Sports Centre in Yushan, China.
Start of first session: The match begins with its opening session at 6am UK time (2:00pm local time). This segment will include the first nine frames.
Start of second session: The concluding session will start at 11:30am UK time (7:30pm local time). Play will continue until completion, with the first competitor to reach 10 frames being crowned champion.
O’Sullivan’s opponent: “The Rocket” will face Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in the final. Un-Nooh saw off Judd Trump in the semis, beating the Englishman 6-4.
Journey to the final: O’Sullivan advanced to the final after edging a dramatic 6-5 victory over Wu Yize. Facing a 43-0 deficit in the last frame, Ronnie produced an outstanding 89 counter-clearance to silence the crowd and reach his 66th ranking final.
Record-breaking feat: Earlier in the competition, O’Sullivan captured global headlines by recording a 153 break – a world record – during his quarter-final whitewash of Ryan Day. A free ball at the beginning of the frame allowed him to go beyond the standard 147 maximum.
What’s at stake: Winning on Sunday would see O’Sullivan take home the £175,000 top prize and secure his first ranking title in two years. It would also strengthen his standing at the very top of the sport.
How to watch: Viewers in the UK can catch all the action live on Eurosport and discovery+. Worldwide coverage is also provided through the World Snooker Tour’s broadcast and streaming partners.
Kent County Council director of public health Dr Anjan Ghosh said the spread is linked to the movement of people away from Kent.
He told a briefing three scenarios were being looked at over the next four weeks, with the most likely being that students who have travelled away from Kent will “incubate” the bug and there could be “household” cases elsewhere.
He added that these cases would be “containable”.
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What is meningitis? The key symptoms to look out for
It comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the number of cases linked to the outbreak has reached 29, up from 27 previously.
Some 18 cases have been confirmed, alongside a further 11 “probable cases” – all with links to Kent, the UKHSA said.
Dr Ghosh told the briefing that three “rough” scenarios are being modelled for the next four weeks, as “that’s the time it takes for this whole thing really subside”.
The first scenario is that the outbreak remains contained in Kent.
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“Second scenario is that there are people who’ve left, they’ve gone off campus, and many of them don’t stay in Kent, they go and stay elsewhere,” Dr Ghosh said.
“They were incubating when they left, and then they become cases, and there are small household, sporadic clusters outside of Kent.”
He stressed these cases would be “containable”.
The third scenario, described by Dr Ghosh as the “worst-case scenario”, would result in another cluster outside of Kent.
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However, he said this is “highly unlikely”, with the second scenario “most likely to be the case”.
How to check your vaccination record on the NHS app
Go to The NHS App
Open the GP Health Record tab – read and click through the security warning
Open the Immunisations tab
Scroll down through your list of vaccines and related information
If you do not see a meningitis vaccination, that does not mean you have not already had one. There are a number of reasons why the NHS app may not have all your immunisations records, including:
Old records – vaccinations from many years ago may not be recorded on the app
Overseas jabs – vaccinations received abroad are not automatically added to the app
GP record gap – if your doctor has not updated their records, there will be a gap in the app
Access rights – you may need to ask your GP to enable your ‘detailed coded record’
Your GP or a pharmacist will be able to see your full NHS Summary Care Records (SCR), so if in doubt speak to one of them.
Meningitis symptoms
a high temperature
cold hands and feet
vomiting
confusion
breathing quickly
muscle and joint pain
pale, mottled or blotchy skin (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
spots or a rash (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
headache
a stiff neck
a dislike of bright lights
being very sleepy or difficult to wake
fits (seizures)
And in babies:
refuse feeds
be irritable
have a high-pitched cry
have a stiff body or be floppy or unresponsive
have a bulging soft spot on the top of their head
Different types of meningitis
Viral
Viral meningitis is the most common form. It is rarely life-threatening but can still cause serious illness. It tends to resolve on its own, though can leave infected feeling very unwell during recovery.
Mollaret’s meningitis is a rare and recurring form of the disease. Mollaret’s is a chronic condition, most often linked to infection with the Herpes Simplex virus type 2.
Bacterial
Bacterial meningitis is a serious and fast-moving condition that requires urgent hospital admission and prompt treatment with antibiotics to prevent life-threatening complications.
Meningococcal disease. This term covers two major illnesses, meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning), which can occur independently but more often together, making it especially dangerous.
Pneumococcal meningitis is a life-threatening infection that causes inflammation of the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord, it requires swift medical intervention.
TB meningitis is caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. This form of the disease is linked to tuberculosis and can be difficult to diagnose due to its gradual onset.
Group B streptococcal (GBS) meningitis is the leading cause of meningitis in babies, and can cause septicaemia and pneumonia, making it a significant concern in newborns.
Neonatal meningitis affects newborns and is divided into “early onset” and “late onset”, depending on how soon after birth the condition develops.
E. coli meningitis is the second most common bacterial cause of meningitis in newborns. E. coli meningitis is a serious condition primarily affecting the very young.
Hib meningitis is like pneumococcal meningitis, and is a life-threatening disease causing inflammation around the brain and spinal cord – though it has become much less common due to vaccination.
Listeria meningitis is caused by Listeria bacteria found in certain foods like unpasteurised soft cheeses, pâté, and shellfish. This form can lead to potentially fatal complications.
Other
Fungal meningitis is a very rare form of the disease and shares similar symptoms but typically develops more gradually rather than suddenly.
Chemical meningitis is unlike most other forms because it is not caused by an infection. Instead, it is triggered by exposure to a particular substance or chemical that causes inflammation.
Parasitic meningitis is extremely rare and occurs when certain parasites infect and inflame the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Cryptococcal meningitis is caused by a fungus found in soil and bird droppings, and is most commonly seen in people with weakened immune systems.
Non-infectious meningitis. Not all meningitis is the result of an infection; this variety is triggered by non-infectious causes like certain medications or other medical conditions.
Malignant/carcinomatous meningitis is a serious condition when cancer cells spread to the meninges. It is associated with advanced cancer and presents significant treatment challenges.
The 2025 tour was a major success, selling more than 200,000 tickets and proving the show’s popularity.
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In 2026, the action is set to return, promising to be even more thrilling.
This live two-hour arena event will see the return of the famous Gladiators, who will face contenders in a live adaptation of the well-loved TV show.
Fans can expect to see familiar events, daring stunts, intense battles, and the memorable Eliminator finale.
It will feature stars from the popular BBC series, celebrating the revival of one of Britain’s most loved entertainment brands.
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The live show combines nostalgia with innovative live production to create an event filled with surprises and challenges for all contenders.
The show is a fully immersive experience, transforming arenas into modern battlegrounds with custom-built sets, impressive lighting, and theatrical staging.
The list of venues and dates are as follows:
Saturday, October 10 – Aberdeen – P&J Live
Sunday, October 11 – Aberdeen – P&J Live
Saturday, October 24 – Glasgow – OVO Hydro
Sunday, October 25 – Glasgow – OVO Hydro
Saturday, November 7 – London – OVO Arena Wembley
Sunday, November 8 – London – OVO Arena Wembley
Saturday, November 14 – Manchester – AO Arena
Sunday, November 15 – Manchester – AO Arena
Saturday, November 21 – Newcastle – Utilita Arena
Sunday, November 22 – Newcastle – Utilita Arena
Saturday, November 28 – Liverpool – M&S Bank Arena
Sunday, November 29 – Liverpool – M&S Bank Arena
Saturday, December 5 – Birmingham – BP Pulse Live
Sunday, December 6 – Birmingham – BP Pulse Live
When do tickets for the Gladiators Live Tour 2026 go on sale?
Tickets will be available for purchase on Friday, March 27.
All tickets can be purchased through the LiveNation and Ticketmaster websites.
Donald Trump has issued a new chilling threat to Iran and given a 48 hour deadline for them to open the Strait of Hormuz, or face their power plants being “hit and obliterated”
00:22, 22 Mar 2026Updated 00:27, 22 Mar 2026
Donald Trump has threatened Iran with a 48 hour deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz, or face their power plants being “hit and obliterated”.
It comes after foreign ministers of G7 nations have said they are “ready to take necessary measures to support global supply of energy”.
In a statement, they said: “We condemn in the strongest terms the (Iran) regime’s reckless attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Iraq, in line with UNSC Resolution 2817. The Iranian regime’s unjustifiable attacks against these states also threaten regional and global security.
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“We call for the immediate and unconditional cessation of all attacks by the Iranian regime. We reaffirm the importance of safeguarding maritime routes, and safety of navigation, including in the Strait of Hormuz and all associated critical waterways, as well as the safety and security of supply chains and the stability of energy markets.
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“We stand ready to take necessary measures to support global supply of energy such as the stockpile release decided by International Energy Agency members on March 11.”
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Follow our live blog for the latest updates by clicking here.
As hundreds of students queued for a third day to get vaccinated, the Health and Social Care Secretary paid tribute to everyone working to keep cases down, including schools and parents
Wes Streeting has urged the public to “keep looking after one another” as the number of cases linked to the meningitis outbreak in Kent rose to 34.
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As hundreds of students queued for a third day to get vaccinated, the Health and Social Care Secretary paid tribute to everyone working to keep cases down.
Some 23 cases have been confirmed alongside a further 11 cases that “remain under investigation”, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in an update on Saturday morning. Eighteen of the 23 confirmed cases are meningitis B.
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Speaking to this newspaper, he said: “As we mark a week since the first confirmed case of the Kent meningitis outbreak, I want to first take a moment to again share my condolences with the families of the two students who tragically died. And my thoughts remain with all those ill in hospital fighting this terrible disease.
“It has been an incredibly difficult week for those affected and for those working on the front line response to this outbreak. As we look ahead to another challenging week, I wanted to pay tribute to the Herculean efforts of everyone who has worked tirelessly to care for those affected and keep people safe.
“To the UKHSA and other public health officials working to contain the outbreak. The NHS team who stood up a vaccination programme within one day of it being announced, distributed more than 7,000 doses of antibiotics, and those caring for young patients in hospital. The school, college and university staff keeping students and parents informed, helping young people through the distress of this outbreak, and keeping their education going. And the thousands of students, pupils, and other members of the public who have so readily and responsibly come forward for antibiotics and vaccination.
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“I am incredibly grateful to you all. Thank you. We are continuing to urge people in Kent and across the country to keep following the advice, keep living your lives, and keep looking after one another.”
The latest figures come as more than 500 people, students and others eligible, lined up outside the University of Kent campus clinic for meningitis B jabs at the start of the weekend.
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