BORIS Johnson will address the nation at 5pm on Wednesday evening in a Downing Street press conference.

The Prime Minister is likely to mention a study into the Oxford vaccine study he has described as a “game changer”.

Mr Johnson has also announced a “national clap” for Captain Sir Tom Moore who sadly passed away on Tuesday after testing positive for Covid-19.

Here is what the Prime Minister is expected to talk about this afternoon.

Captain Sir Tom Moore

The Prime Minister will pay tribute to the WW2 veteran who sadly passed away on Tuesday after testing positive for Covid-19.

Mr Johnson urged the British public to partake in a ‘national clap’ tonight at 6pm in memory of Captain Tom when speaking to MPs in commons on Wednesday.

The 100-year-old captured the hearts of the nation last year after raiding a record-breaking £33 million for the NHS by completing laps of his garden at the start of the pandemic.

The Prime Minister told the Commons: "We all now have the opportunity to show our appreciation for him and all that he stood for and believed in.

"That is why I encourage everyone to join in a national clap for Captain Tom and all those health workers for whom he raised money at 6pm this evening."

Somerset County Gazette: Captain Sir Tom Moore. (PA)Captain Sir Tom Moore. (PA)

Oxford vaccine study

Mr Johnson will likely hail the “game changer” study into the Oxford vaccine today after it was revealed the vaccine could cut transmission of Covid-19.

Landmark research from Oxford University found a single jab could reduce positive cases by 67% and could cut transmission by two thirds.

The findings indicate that those who have been vaccinated are not only protected from the disease, but that they are not likely to pass on the virus to anyone.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “This is a hugely encouraging study and further reinforces our confidence that vaccines are capable of reducing transmission and protecting people from this awful disease.

“This report shows the Oxford vaccine works and works well.”

Somerset County Gazette: Oxford vaccine. (PA)Oxford vaccine. (PA)

South African variant

The Prime Minister is likely to provide an update on the spread of the South Africa variant of coronavirus.

This week, targeted coronavirus testing has been rolled out across areas of England as authorities work to contain the spread of the South African variant.

Door-to-door deliveries began on Tuesday with extra testing in eight postcode areas of the country, as urgent efforts got under way to swab 80,000 people in a bid to stop transmission.

Somerset County Gazette: Mass testing in response to South African variant. (PA)Mass testing in response to South African variant. (PA)

Vaccine rollout

Boris Johnson will likely update the nation on the national vaccine rollout as more than 10 million people have currently received the first dose of a vaccine.

On current trajectory, just under 400,000 vaccine doses are administered every day which means the UK is track to meet the mid-February target and their plan to vaccinate all adults by August.