UK Edition
National statistics on the number of Covid hospitalisations are published daily on the Government's website and are frequently referred to by ministers.
But they may far overstate the levels of pressure on the NHS. Leaked figures reveal that more than half of cases are patients who only tested positive after admission.
It suggests vast numbers are being classed as hospitalised by Covid when in fact they were admitted to hospital with other ailments, with the virus simply picked up by routine testing.
The numbers, covering all NHS trusts in England, show that as of last Thursday just 44pc of patients classed as being hospitalised with Covid had tested positive before they were admitted to hospital.
Science Editor Sarah Knapton explains what we can learn from the data.
Meanwhile, 77 countries are under review by government scientists for a possible move to the green list for quarantine-free foreign travel, it has emerged.
The Joint Biosecurity Centre is understood to be reviewing the destinations before ministers decide on a final list due to be unveiled next week.
It is the first insight into the size of the potential "long list" of countries whose Covid status means they can be rated as "possibles".
But do not pack your bags just yet. Sources warned many of the countries might not make the cut once the assessment had been completed. See your current green list options - and our picks for UK summer breaks.
Freed burglars to wear 24-hour tags under crackdown
Burglars released from jail are to be made to wear tags 24/7 to tackle reoffending under Boris Johnson's crackdown on crime. The Prime Minister will announce today that 19 police forces covering nearly half the country will be able to use the GPS tags to check burglars, muggers and other thieves' movements after they have been freed from prison. It is part of Mr Johnson's Beating Crime Plan, which will also include enhanced stop-and-search powers for police as well as new unpaid community work schemes where offenders in high-vis jackets will have to clean graffiti and litter from neighbourhoods. Home Affairs Editor Charles Hymas has full details of the strategy, which comes as concern grows in Whitehall about a sharp rise in violent crime after lockdown.
Britannia rules the water with Team GB's fourth gold
Team GB have secured their first ever one-two finish in an Olympic swimming event for 113 years, with Tom Dean beating Tokyo room-mate Duncan Scott to gold by 0.04 seconds in a dramatic finale to the men's 200m freestyle. After Magic Monday, the gold rush continued early today with the swimmers taking Team GB's tally of gold medals to four after four days. Jeremy Wilson in Tokyo says it makes it the best ever start to a summer Olympics. Read everything else you missed overnight. For more analysis, I can suggest trying our free Olympics Briefing newsletter.
Daily dose of Matt
Today's cartoon | View Matt's latest cartoon - and all his work from this month.
Also in the news: Today's other headlines
Squeaky clean | Do not rinse plates before putting them in the dishwasher to limit the impact on the environment, Boris Johnson's COP26 spokesman has suggested. Allegra Stratton also gave the ideas of freezing leftover bread to reuse rather than throwing it away and ordering shampoo in cardboard packaging. Read Ms Stratton's article for The Telegraph on the "microsteps" that families may wish to adopt.
- Trans inclusivity | Civil servants asked to sign off with pronouns
- Novels, not novelty | Booker Prize longlist goes back to basics
- Anita Rani | 'Would I have reached Strictly final without brown face?'
- Loch Lomond | I tried to save my drowning wife, says husband
- Sir Simon Rattle | Last Night of the Proms too 'jingoistic' for me
Around the world: US to continue Taliban strikes
The United States has said it will continue launching air strikes against the Taliban while it withdraws from Afghanistan, amid warnings that civilian deaths could soon be the highest in more than a decade due to a surge in violence by the militant group. Read how the Taliban is now expected to target the country's more heavily populated urban centres. For more pictures of the day from around the world, view our gallery.
Comment and analysis
- Sherelle Jacobs | Tory biosurveillance fantasy is chilling and farcical
- Kate Andrews | PM's narrative does not inspire economic confidence
- Matthew Lynn | Starmer has not got a clue about modern jobs
- Suzanne Moore | Mystery of Cummings? There is no mystery left
- Reader letters | Pinging brings destruction of small businesses
Editor's choice
- Behind the veil of the Spencers | Lady Kitty and the Earl's absence from her wedding
- Shapewear | It is time for the return of the hourglass figure, says Boris Johnson's daughter
- Home and Away star's death | Dieter Brummer and the dark side of soap stardom
Business and money briefing
Analysis | As the NHS strained under a Covid surge in mid-January, Australians were hitting the beach. But the zero-Covid policy has backfired. As major economies reopen, Sydney has been plunged into its strictest lockdown since the start of the pandemic, bleeding billions of dollars a week as tourism, hospitality and construction remain closed.
- China | Hinkley nuclear plant at risk from crackdown
- Pensions | This choice could cost you 90pc of your allowance
- Alex | View today's cartoon strip on the world of finance
Sport briefing
Rugby Union | Winning a Lions series these days seems to take more than just a herculean effort on the pitch, it is also about winning mind games off it, even on social media. And on that front, Warren Gatland has South Africa on the run. Gavin Maris says Rassie Erasmus' Twitter rants raise a genuine question: Who is really in charge of the Springboks?
- Varane to United | Madrid defender to sign for £42m
- Rooney | 'Tackle' puts Derby player out for 12 weeks
- John Terry | Leaving Aston Villa step towards ultimate goal
Tonight's dinner
Baked sweet potatoes with harissa chickpeas and tahini sauce | A deliciously flavourful take on a mid-week classic by Diana Henry. View the recipe and try our Cookbook newsletter.
And finally... for this morning's downtime
'Dad was a misunderstood war hero' | Katharine Campbell thinks her father, Lord Sholto Douglas, had post-traumatic stress disorder - but was treated like a "demented old man"? She tells of her fear that other veterans have been misdiagnosed.
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