A case of the coronavirus variant first discovered in South Africa has been found in Middlesbrough. The positive case was identified as part of the random sequencing by Public Health England and enhanced contact tracing has taken place. The are no obvious links to international travel.

Middlesbrough Council is setting up an additional test centre at the Parkway Centre in Coulby Newham.

Meanwhile, there is currently no evidence to suggest the South African variant is more serious than others and all positive tests will be analysed to identify any further spread.

With less than 48 hours to go until hotel quarantine is introduced, a statement issued on Saturday morning by Heathrow airport said “significant gaps still remain”.

This comes after it emerged border officials had not even been told how the system would work while MPs have cautioned over chaotic scenes at airports. Staff working this weekend remain unaware of what rules they will be enforcing come Monday.

The statement read: “We have been working hard with the Government to try to ensure the successful implementation of the policy from Monday, but some significant gaps remain and we are yet to receive the necessary reassurances.

“We will continue to work collaboratively with Government over the weekend but Ministers must ensure there is adequate resource and appropriate protocols in place for each step of the full end-to-end process from aircraft to hotel to avoid compromising the safety of passengers and those working at the airport.”

In a world first, young volunteers will receive a jab in a bid to assess their resulting immune response as part of the Oxford vaccine trials.

In order to test the vaccines efficacy in those under 18, some 300 volunteers aged between six and 17 will receive the jab.

Andrew Pollard, professor of paediatric infection and immunity at Oxford University, and chief investigator on the trial, said: “While most children are relatively unaffected by coronavirus and are unlikely to become unwell with the infection, it is important to establish the safety and immune response to the vaccine in children and young people as some children may benefit from vaccination.”

Doses will begin to be administered in the next fortnight with up to 240 children receiving the jab and the others being given a control meningitis jab.

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With schools in England set to reopen on 8 March Lord Adebowale, chair of the NHS Confederation, has expressed concern that this date is far too early.

Speaking to the BBC Radio 4 programme, Lord Adebowale said the NHS workforce was still “on its knees” and “cannot afford another peak.”

He warned that ministers needed to be “very cautious” about any easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

“I understand the pressure to open schools. We need to do so very safely. I think mid or late-March is when we should be re-assessing.

“We have had a number of false dawns when we have set dates, taken the action, then find ourselves having to row back very quickly,” he added.

The Health Secretary has said vaccines, drugs and treatment could mean we eventually live with coronavirus as we do the common flu. Hancock said he hoped that new treatments designed to tackle coronavirus will make covid a “treatable disease” by the end of 2021.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Hancock said every adult in the UK may be offered the vaccine “a bit before” September as the rollout gains momentum.

He added that the development of new drugs could turn “Covid from a pandemic that affects all of our lives into another illness that we have to live with, like we do flu. That’s where we need to get Covid to over the months to come.”

Latest data shows around 90 per cent of over 70s have so far come forward for their first dose and the NHS are urging the remaining individuals to contact them. This comes as the government launch their plan to boost vaccine uptake in communities, from vaccination buses to WhatsApp groups and charity engagement.

Professor Stephen Powis, the NHS medical director, said: “People in the priority groups have not missed their chance to get jabbed and if you are aged 70 and over and haven’t yet taken up the offer please do come forward and make an appointment – the vaccine is safe, simple and will offer you and those around you crucial protection against this virus.”

Nearly 30 ministers will visit vaccination centres or conduct virtual meetings this weekend, including Priti Patel, home secretary, who will visitthe Guru Nanak Gurdwara Temple in Bedford.  Gavin Williamson, education secretary, will visit the Whitemoor Lakes site in Staffordshire.

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s rolling coverage of the latest on coronavirus in the UK.