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Coronavirus: The 9 major developments that happened on Wednesday

Watch: NHS England to move into highest alert level

Here’s what you need to know on 4 November. This article was updated at 3.30pm.

Deaths: A further 302 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England, with deaths dating between 30 March and 3 November. There were 44 more deaths in Wales, 50 in Scotland and 10 in Northern Ireland.

Politics: Boris Johnson has indicated the new coronavirus restrictions could be in place beyond 2 December if the R rate does not drop. MPs are due to vote on bringing in a second lockdown in England for 28 days in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon, which if successful, will be in force from midnight on Thursday morning. Read more here.

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NHS: NHS England announced it would be moving into its highest alert level at midnight on Thursday, with warnings of a serious situation. There are the equivalent of 22 hospitals worth of coronavirus patients being treated across England at the moment. Read more here.

Lockdown: Pubs are allowed to sell takeaway pints during the second lockdown in England, according to new rules from the government. English pubs and restaurants have welcomed the latest government U-turn, after previous warning the ban would result in “thousands of gallons of beer (being) poured down drains”. Read more here.

The Met Police has confirmed it will have more officers on the ground in London on Wednesday to deal with any potential problems on the eve of the new lockdown. People have been urged not to have any parties or gatherings that would break the current rules before new ones are enforced. Read more here.

Watch: Small chance of coronavirus vaccine before Christmas

Vaccine: The director of the Oxford vaccine trial has said there is a "small chance" it will be ready by Christmas. Andrew Pollard told the Science and Technology Committee he is optimistic about the trial but can’t know for sure. Read more here.

Economy: Job postings have dropped by 25.9% year-on-year according to new industry data. But figures are still growing 9.7% month-on-month as the UK saw some recovery in October. Read more here.

Science: The peak of a second wave of infections may already have passed, an expert has stated. Tim Spector, the principal investigator for the Zoe COVID Symptom Study app, believes that cases are already on the decline. Read more here.

New research has revealed how a severe case of the coronavirus can damage the lungs. Scientists analysed the organs of 41 people who died with the infection at the University Hospital of Trieste in Italy between February and April and found most of the victims had “extensive lung damage” caused by a “profound disruption of the normal lung structure”. Read more here.

Coronavirus: what happened today

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