Coronavirus in UK

[MenInG]

England death figures: Which age groups are worst affected?

Of the 23,709 confirmed reported deaths so far in hospitals in England of people who tested positive for Covid-19, 12,451 (53%) have been people aged 80 and over while 9,184 (39%) were 60-79, NHS England said.

So 91% of all hospital Covid-19 deaths have been people aged 60 or over.

A further 1,890 (8%) were aged 40-59, with 172 (1%) aged 20-39 and 12 (0.05%) aged 0-19.

The number of deaths announced so far by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust stands at 826 - the highest for any trust in England (though note that NHS trusts serve different-sized catchment populations).

Barts Health NHS Trust has announced 570 deaths and London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust has announced 555 deaths.

Four trusts have announced between 400 and 500 deaths: King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (466), the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (459), the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (428) and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (402).

 

[Abdullah719]

The Department of Health says there have been a further 627 covid-19 related deaths in all settings in UK bringing total to 32,692

 

[MenInG]

Business Secretary Alok Sharma leads daily briefing after £14bn a month scheme to pay furloughed workers extended to October

Official UK death toll rises by 627 to 32,692 but excess deaths - which include those indirectly caused by virus - top 50,000

Number of deaths linked to coronavirus in care homes in England and Wales fell in last week of April

Top US health adviser Dr Anthony Fauci warns states against re-opening too soon and risking new outbreaks in Senate testimony

Russia has second-highest number of confirmed infections after the US, with Putin's spokesman testing positive

South Korea says there are now 101 new cases of coronavirus linked to a nightclub district in Seoul

Wuhan draws up plans to test all 11 million residents, amid new cluster fear

There have been more than 4.2 million confirmed cases globally, with 287,000 deaths and nearly 1.5 million recoveries

 

[MenInG]

The Department of Health says there have been a further 627 covid-19 related deaths in all settings in UK bringing total to 32,692

Further 627 deaths announced across the UK
The official coronavirus death toll in the UK has risen to 32,692 - up 627 on yesterday's figure.

But if "excess deaths" - all those which would not have occurred without the virus - are added, the number of people who have died as a result of the UK pandemic is more than 50,000.

As of 09:00 on Tuesday there have been 2,007,146 tests, with 85,293 tests on 11 May - below the 100,000 target set for the end of April.

Of those daily tests, 3,403 were positive.

A note on Tuesdays:

Due to a lag in reporting deaths around every weekend, Tuesday has seen the highest number of deaths reported in each of the last three weeks. Today's death toll of 627 is a decrease from 693 last Tuesday.

 

[MenInG]

 

[The Viper]

The UK's death toll has risen by 627, taking the total to 32,692

The government has again missed its target of carrying out 100,000 tests a day, with 85,293 tests on Monday

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said England will only take "careful steps" in lifting lockdown measures

He urged employers to use the government's new safety guidelines for workplaces during the crisis

He told workers who have concerns that they should talk to their employer and - if they don't get "any traction" - should contact the Health and Safety Executive, or their local authorities

The HSE is prepared to use its enforcement powers when necessary and will also consider criminal prosecutions, its chief executive Sarah Albon said

Up to £14m extra funding has been made available to the watchdog for extra call centre staff, inspectors and kit, Sharma said

Prof Powis said that the number of people in hospitals with Covid-19 is falling but that it was "critical" people maintained social-distancing

But while numbers in hospital are continuing to fall in London and several other regions, there appears to have been a slight uptick in the North-East of England and the East of England

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Piers ... You have a huge following ... You are using your platform to send negativity ... we all know it’s a bad situation ... but you seem to enjoying the fact that you were one of the first to stat this was a War and maybe the government didn’t react accordingly ... <a href="https://t.co/L6tAZtijeT">https://t.co/L6tAZtijeT</a></p>— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelVaughan/status/1260263989218627586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Serious question Piers ... Are you enjoying this ?? You seem to revel in sending out all the negativity !! I know it’s not good & times are very surreal but you are going too far IMO with this constant barrage of negativity !! <a href="https://t.co/JxSsOxBkXq">https://t.co/JxSsOxBkXq</a></p>— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelVaughan/status/1260257373475799041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

LONDON (Reuters) - At least 20,000 people have died in care homes in England and Wales as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Reuters calculations based on official data.

In the eight weeks to May 1, there were 37,627 people who died in care homes of all causes in England and Wales, according to data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Based on a comparison of the average of weekly deaths in care homes in the same period over five years, Reuters calculated that excess deaths have totalled over 19,900 in England and Wales.

These figures update a Reuters calculation one week ago, published in a Special Report, that estimated the excess deaths to be at least 12,700.

The new total excludes hundreds of further deaths in Scotland and deaths that occurred since May 1. Other care home residents were transferred to hospital and died there. These are also not included in this figure.

Comparisons of excess deaths over average mortality is considered by statisticians the most accurate way to judge the consequence of the pandemic, including deaths directly caused by the pandemic or other deaths indirectly caused, for example by reduction in provision for other health problems.

The United Kingdom’s total COVID-19 death toll now exceeds 40,000, by far the worst yet reported in Europe, new data showed on Tuesday, raising more questions about Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.

Figures published by the Office for National Statistics for England and Wales brought the United Kingdom’s official death toll to 38,289 as of May 3, according to a Reuters tally of death registrations that also includes Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Since then, at least 2,251 people have died from COVID-19 in English hospitals, according to the latest daily data, bringing the true death toll as of Tuesday to just over 40,000.

While different ways of counting make comparisons with other countries difficult, the figure confirmed Britain was among those hit worst by a pandemic that has killed more than 285,000 people worldwide.

The data came a day after Johnson set out a gradual plan to get Britain back to work, including advice on wearing homemade face coverings - though his attempt to lift the coronavirus lockdown prompted confusion.

The leaders of the devolved nations - Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - said that advice given by Johnson only applied to England. They told people to stay at home still.

Such a high UK death toll increases the pressure on Johnson. Opposition parties say he was too slow to impose a lockdown, too slow to introduce mass testing and too slow to get enough protective equipment to hospitals.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-care-homes-reuters-calculation-idUSKBN22O2MV

 

[Saj]

 

[Saj]

 

[The Viper]

UK rail worker died after being spat at by 'COVID carrier': union

A woman who worked at one of London’s busiest rail stations has died after having previously been spat at by a man who said he had the new coronavirus, her union said on Tuesday.

Belly Mujinga, 47, who worked in the ticket office at Victoria station and had an 11-year-old daughter, was on the concourse in March when a man assaulted her and a female colleague.

“The man coughed over them and told them he had the virus,” the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) said in a statement.

Both women fell ill within a few days of the incident and Mujinga, who had underlying respiratory problems, was later taken to hospital and put on a ventilator.

She died on April 5, 14 days after the assault at Victoria.

“We are shocked and devastated at Belly’s death,” Manuel Cortes, TSSA General Secretary, said in a statement. “She is one of far too many front-line workers who have lost their lives to coronavirus.”

British Transport Police said they had launched an investigation into the incident.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-spat-at-by-covid-carrier-union-idUSKBN22O2V1

 

[MenInG]

Millions of self-employed people whose business has been affected by coronavirus can apply for grants from the UK government from Wednesday

People in England can spend more time outside, meet a friend at the park and move home, as the UK government begins easing some lockdown measures

Employees who cannot work from home are being "actively encouraged" to return to their workplaces

Childminders in England can reopen from Wednesday if they are caring for children from the same household

But the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are keeping stricter measures in place and retaining the message to stay at home

Garden centres have become the first businesses allowed to reopen to the public - first in Wales and from today in England - since the government shut down non-essential shops

And young people in the UK have told of their job despair during the pandemic

 

[MenInG]

'No surprise' UK economy has shrunk - chancellor

The UK chancellor, Rishi Sunak has said it is "no surprise" that the economy shrank by 2% in the three months to March.

Sunak told Sky News the UK was facing "severe impact" from the coronavirus, "in common with every other country around the world".

"That's why we've taken the unprecedented action that we have to support people's jobs, their incomes, livelihoods at this time, and support businesses, so we can get through this period of disruption and emerge stronger on the other side," he said.

The Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told the BBC on Wednesday that it was "fairly clear" the country would be in recession when figures for the second quarter of 2020 were released later in the year.

Social embed from twitter

 

[MenInG]

Rising infection rates abroad are a warning for Britain: PM

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that increasing rates of infection in other countries which have relaxed some rules to tackle the outbreak was a warning to Britain not to move too fast.

"We are watching intently what is happening in other countries and it is very notable that in some other countries where relaxations have been introduced there are signs of the R (reproduction number) going up again, and that is a very clear warning to us not to proceed too fast or too recklessly," Johnson told parliament.

 

[the Great Khan]

the farming out of old people to the care homes is a cynical policy that is a crime against humanity. Its as if they culled the old to save the NHS..a blood price..sick..

 

[MenInG]

UK's four nations report more coronavirus deaths

Separate daily coronavirus death figures have been published by the four nations in the UK.

Another 244 people who tested positive for Covid-19 have died in England, NHS England said, bringing the total there to 23,952.

Meanwhile, 61 more people have died after testing positive in Scotland, bringing the total there to 1,973.

A further 22 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in Wales, taking the total there to 1,154.

And two more people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health in the nation said. This brings the total there to 449.

The tallies for individual nations can differ from the UK-wide total, because they are calculated on a different timeframe.

 

[MenInG]

UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson to return to the House of Commons to "correct the record" after accusing him of misleading MPs over advice to care homes.

During Prime Minister's Questions Sir Keir said: "Until 12 March, the government's own official advice was - and I’m quoting from it: 'It remains very unlikely that people receiving care in a care home will become infected'."

Johnson had told the house that "it wasn't true that the advice said that".

A page on the government's website, which was withdrawn on 13 March, says: "This guidance is intended for the current position in the UK where there is currently no transmission of COVID-19 in the community.

"It is therefore very unlikely that anyone receiving care in a care home or the community will become infected."

 

[MenInG]

UK deaths with coronavirus rise by 494

The number of people who have died in UK hospitals and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus has reached 33,186, up by 494 from the previous day, the Department of Health says.

The latest figures also showed there were 87,063 tests provided on Tuesday - short of the government's 100,000 tests-per-day target.

In total 1,522,258 people have been tested for coronavirus to date, of whom 229,705 tested positive.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As of 9am 13 May, there have been 2,094,209 tests, with 87,063 tests on 12 May. <br><br>1,522,258 people have been tested of which 229,705 tested positive. <br><br>As of 5pm on 12 May, of those tested positive for coronavirus, across all settings, 33,186 have sadly died. <a href="https://t.co/at0NCqAILf">pic.twitter.com/at0NCqAILf</a></p>— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1260555502100140034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

Housing minister Robert Jenrick defends the UK government's record on care homes following criticism

UK says it has missed its 100,000 tests target again

People in England who cannot work from home have been encouraged to return to their workplaces

Unlimited exercise, meeting a friend at the park and moving house are also now allowed, under new rules

The UK economy contracted by 2% in the first three months of the year, official figures show

 

[The Viper]

What did we learn from Downing Street briefing?

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick detailed the changes to social distancing measures that came into effect in England

He outlined the government's plan to restart the housing market and construction industry in England, stressing the strict safeguards in place

But he acknowledged allowing house viewings "may seem confusing at first glance, especially when people have been separated from their loved ones for so long"

Jenrick defended the government handling of the spread of coronavirus in care homes, stressing today’s £600m package to help with infection control and staff levels

He said ministers were working with schools and unions in England to "provide as much comfort" as possible to teachers that it would be safe to return to work next month

Deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries highlighted the downwards trend in hospital admissions across the UK, saying numbers were down 15% in a week

Asked about social "bubbles" allowing people to meet up with friends and family outside their household, she said it would provide a "positive mental health boost" but it was "really important to think through the implications" of such a move

Jenrick said the government was in talks with theatres and museums about how they could reopen "when the science and medical opinion allows"

 

[MenInG]

Experts fear months of NHS disruption - latest UK news

It could take months for the National Health Service to return to normal, experts warn. Routine medical care such as cancer treatment and surgery have been disrupted by the coronavirus crisis - but those needing attention have been urged to come forwards

A test to find out if people have already had the virus has been approved in England. But it's still not clear if having coronavirus anti-bodies makes us immune

Around 100 children in the UK have been affected by a rare inflammatory disease linked to coronavirus - it causes a reaction similar to septic shock syndrome and has also been seen in the US and Europe. Parents were warned in April to look out for symptoms, which can include a high temperature, low blood pressure, a rash and difficulty breathing
Article share tools

 

[princeuk]

Therefore England’s taxpayer should not be responsible for Scotland’s economy.

Umm, Scots pay taxes as well and have done so since eternity.

 

[Rana]

Umm, Scots pay taxes as well and have done so since eternity.

Yeah I think the Scots should cover their own Economy if they don’t want to go with Lockstep. Is that too hard to understand?

 

[Firebat]

BREAKING: UK death toll rises by 428

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As of 9am 14 May, there have been 2,219,281 tests, with 126,064 tests on 13 May. <br><br>1,593,902 people have been tested of which 233,151 tested positive. <br><br>As of 5pm on 13 May, of those tested positive for coronavirus, across all settings, 33,614 have sadly died. <a href="https://t.co/VrfhlNVWar">pic.twitter.com/VrfhlNVWar</a></p>— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1260919297288933376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A further 428 people have died with Covid-19 in the UK, the government's latest daily figures show.

It brings the total number of deaths in hospitals and the wider community to 33,614.

The government carried out or posted out 126,064 tests on Wednesday, the figures also show.

This is the third time it has met its 100,000 a day target, according to its criteria.

 

[Rana]

BREAKING: UK death toll rises by 428

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As of 9am 14 May, there have been 2,219,281 tests, with 126,064 tests on 13 May. <br><br>1,593,902 people have been tested of which 233,151 tested positive. <br><br>As of 5pm on 13 May, of those tested positive for coronavirus, across all settings, 33,614 have sadly died. <a href="https://t.co/VrfhlNVWar">pic.twitter.com/VrfhlNVWar</a></p>— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1260919297288933376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A further 428 people have died with Covid-19 in the UK, the government's latest daily figures show.

It brings the total number of deaths in hospitals and the wider community to 33,614.

The government carried out or posted out 126,064 tests on Wednesday, the figures also show.

This is the third time it has met its 100,000 a day target, according to its criteria.

What’s going on with Testing? It keeps going down every day instead of going up

 

[Firebat]

What’s going on with Testing? It keeps going down every day instead of going up

This 126,064 tests is the highest number of tests in a day that they have published in the entire pandemic.

 

[Firebat]

Measures to protect UK economy predicted to cost £123bn

UK government measures to protect the economy during the coronavirus crisis are forecast to cost £123bn for the current financial year, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said.

The OBR said it also estimates that the direct impact of policy measures, such as the furlough scheme, will raise cash borrowing by £103.7bn for the year.

On Tuesday, UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that the furlough scheme - i.e. paying a percentage of wages to workers on leave because of coronavirus - would be extended to October.

The government is also offering grants for self-employed people whose businesses are affected by coronavirus.

The OBR estimated that a three-month lockdown, followed by a partial lifting for three months, would necessitate public sector borrowing of £298.4bn.

That represents a £25.5bn increase on the forecast from last month.

The OBR estimates that the UK economy is likely to contract by 35% in the second quarter of 2020, before bouncing back quickly.

 

[Rana]

This 126,064 tests is the highest number of tests in a day that they have published in the entire pandemic.

Oh Right, I thought it was the 76000 figure

 

[the Great Khan]

estimated 10,000 people a day are being infected in the UK..

 

[the Great Khan]

also Roche have started selling a new anti body test with 99.8% accuracy..many countries have ordered it including the uk..this should help with the eventual traffic light/immunity certification..

 

[MenInG]

Here's what we learned from today's UK briefing

The transport secretary has announced nearly £2bn to upgrade the UK's road and rail network, including £1.7bn for local roads
The £2bn is not new funding - it is being reallocated from previous budgets

The new antibody test will be rolled out in the "days and weeks to come" and will initially focus on NHS and care workers, according to Prof Van-Tam

He also said pressure on hospitals is "beginning to ease"

Some 126,064 coronavirus tests were provided in the UK on Wednesday - the highest daily testing figure so far

The government wants the NHS to take up routine operations "as soon as it is physically and humanely possible"
Officials must see how socially distanced training goes before competitive football matches are allowed to return

And Shapps is "optimistic" he will agree a bailout with Transport for London, following the warning that London's transport network company needs a government grant by the end of the day

 

[The Viper]

Coronavirus: A quarter of COVID-19 patients who died in England had diabetes

A quarter of people who died with coronavirus in hospitals in England had diabetes, officials say.

People with dementia or lung problems are also among those most at risk of dying after contracting COVID-19, according to new NHS figures.

Statistics from NHS England show that of the 22,332 people who died since 31 March, 5,873 (26%) of them were diabetic.

The breakdown of those who had type 1 and type 2 has not been released. According to diabetes.co.uk 6% of the UK population is diabetic.

Also, 18% of people who died after testing positive for COVID-19 - 4,048 deaths - had dementia as an underlying health condition and 15% (3,254 deaths) had chronic pulmonary disease.

Some 14% (3,214 deaths) had chronic kidney disease as an underlying health issue.

It is the first time NHS England has published a breakdown of deaths by pre-existing conditions.

Meanwhile, latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics show an average of 148,000 people in England had coronavirus at any given time between 27 April and 10 May.

An average of 0.27% of the community population, or one in 370 people - excluding health and care workers - were infected with the virus over the period, the results of a pilot study suggest.

There seemed little difference between young and older people when it came to who caught COVID-19, even though it has been widely reported that the elderly are more vulnerable to the virus.

In the study, the estimated percentages who tested positive for COVID-19, broken down by age, were: 2-19 years old: 0.32%; 20-40 years old: 0.26%; 50 to 69 years old: 0.32%; 70 years and over: 0.23%.

However, among people working in patient-facing healthcare and social care roles, 1.33% tested positive.

Professor Partha Kar, national speciality adviser for diabetes for the NHS, said: "It is clear that people with diabetes are more at risk of dying from COVID-19.

"And more detailed analysis is currently under way to understand the link between the two although initial findings indicate that the threat in people under 40 continues to be very low.

"The NHS has put extra measures in place so that people living with diabetes can manage their condition better during the pandemic, including a range of online services, video consultations with your local clinical team and a dedicated helpline for those who need advice."

It comes as another 428 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the UK have died, taking the total to 33,614.

The latest daily figure released by the Department of Health is for coronavirus-related fatalities in hospitals, care homes and the community, reported in a 24-hour period up to 5pm on Wednesday.

There have been the most number of COVID-19 tests carried out in the UK in a 24-hour period so far in the pandemic.

There was a total of 126,064 tests on Wednesday.

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavi...nts-who-died-in-england-had-diabetes-11988326

 

[Markhor]

I don't understand why the dental practices remain shut when GP surgeries are still open albeit with limited face-to-face appointments, and pharmacies are STILL open and seeing members of the public on a daily basis.

They could reopen with adequate PPE and prioritising only severe cases, with appropriate screening at entrance.

There are patients currently who cannot eat or sleep who are in agony, in whom simple analgesia and antibiotics are insufficient.

I've lost count of patients asking me for dental repair kits so they can do a DIY job, but they are becoming difficult to get in stock. Meanwhile the urgent dental care hubs are totally inundated and the guidance around what they can do is confusing.

 

[MenInG]

What's the latest in the UK?

When cancelled operations and other treatments resume in the National Health Service, there must be adequate safety measures, health unions say. That includes speedy testing and sufficient availability of personal protective equipment for staff

Meanwhile doctors have been told not to speak out about shortages of protective equipment, the BBC has been told

A row over whether it is safe to reopen schools on 1 June is ongoing. Unions say it would put the health of teachers at risk and it is still too early. On Friday one of England's largest group of primary schools says they will open their 35 schools on 1 June

A large rail company has revealed its plans for social distancing on board its trains. Avanti, which runs services on the West Coast mainline, says passengers must wear face masks on board and that they should not turn up without a booking

And Wales's plan for exiting the lockdown is to be published today

 

[MenInG]

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Britain’s parliament on Wednesday that his government moved swiftly to protect the country’s vulnerable care homes. Under increasing pressure to defend his record on fighting Covid-19, he said: “We brought in the lockdown in care homes ahead of the general lockdown.”

An examination by Reuters of the guidance issued to care homes, as well as interviews with three care home providers, has provided no evidence that any such early lockdown was ordered.

The government's handling of care homes has emerged as a major controversy in parliament. According to a Reuters analysis of official figures (here), the pandemic has resulted in over 20,000 deaths in UK care homes.

The prime minister’s spokesman told reporters on Wednesday that in his comments earlier that day to parliament, Johnson was referring to government advice to care homes, issued on March 13. This advice, he said, was “recommending essential visits only, that obviously came before we took steps nationwide in relation to social distancing.” The government issued a general lockdown order to the nation on March 23.

The March 13 guidance (bit.ly/2WWkoFW) by the government was equivocal, a review of the documents shows. The advisory, reviewed by Reuters, did not impose a ban on visits from family or friends.

Instead, the document from Public Health England, an official agency, advised home providers to “review their visiting policy by asking no one to visit who has suspected Covid-19 or is generally unwell, and by emphasising good hand hygiene for visitors.” Balancing those restrictions, it said that care home policies “should also consider the wellbeing of residents, and the positive impact of seeing friends and family.”

At a press conference on March 16, Johnson commented that “absolutely, we don’t want to see people unnecessarily visiting care homes.”

Reuters found no official guidance which made that advice mandatory. The news agency asked 10 Downing Street, Johnson’s office, if it could point to any official order that care homes must close to outside visitors, prior to the broader UK lockdown on March 23. A government spokeswoman referred Reuters to the March 13 advice. Asked if there were further instructions to care homes between March 13 and the March 23 general lockdown, the spokeswoman said there were not.

In a statement, the government said it had been “keeping in regular contact with care homes to provide guidance on reducing the spread of infection. We have continued to review and update our guidance, in line with the latest scientific advice.”

The government’s cautious approach to imposing restrictions was signaled earlier in March by Chris Whitty, the chief medical adviser. At the launch of the government’s coronavirus action plan, on March 3, Whitty told journalists that specific advice for care homes would be issued in future, “but one of the things we are keen to avoid … is doing things too early.” He explained that premature action would bring no benefit “but what you do get is a social cost.”

A Reuters investigation last week (here) detailed how the government's focus on shielding hospitals, to prevent emergency wards from being overwhelmed, left care home residents and staff exposed to COVID-19. To free up hospital beds, many patients were discharged into homes for the elderly and vulnerable, many without being tested for the coronavirus that causes the disease.

On May 5, when Reuters initially asked the Department for Health and Social Care when an order was first given to ban care home visits by family and friends, a press officer responded: “There was no order, care providers make their own decisions about visitors.”

Later that day, another press officer said the guidance was issued in a document dated April 2 (here), which said visits should only be made in exceptional circumstances, such as when residents are dying. That guidance was issued 10 days after the national lockdown and 20 days after the earlier, more nuanced advice to care homes.

Joyce Pinfield, who runs two care homes and is on the board of directors at the National Care Association, a body which represents care providers, said she spent time Wednesday after Johnson’s comments to parliament trying to find out when the order to lock down care homes was made. She said she found no trace of any order prior to the wider UK lockdown on March 23 and the April 2 instruction closing homes to outside visits, and concluded there hadn’t been one.

“The guidance should have been far better,” she said. “It was left to care providers to make their own decisions.”

Pinfield’s view was echoed by Julie Nicholls, the manager of the Appleby Lodge residential home in Cornwall. Nicholls said care home managers were left to make their own decisions about whether to restrict visits. She closed her care home on March 13, the day after the government moved the threat level of the virus to “high” and the prime minister warned the nation to expect to lose loved ones.

Nicholls said she “definitely didn’t have any government guidance” to close before the general lockdown ordered by Johnson on March 23. “There was never a formal order,” she said.

Opposition MPs have accused Johnson this week of misleading parliament over the government’s handling of the coronavirus.

Labour leader, Keir Starmer, confronted the prime minister in parliament on Wednesday with Public Health England guidance for care homes that was in place from February 25 to March 12. This stated, as reported by Reuters on May 5, that “it remains very unlikely that people receiving care in a care home will become infected.” A government spokesman told Reuters in early May that the advice “accurately reflected the situation at the time when there was a limited risk of the infection getting into a care home.”

Johnson replied to Starmer that “it wasn’t true that the advice said that.”

After the debate, Starmer wrote to Johnson asking him to correct his remark. The prime minister responded that he stood by his comments and accused the Labour leader of selectively and misleadingly quoting from the documents.

 

[Firebat]

Police in England and Wales issue 14,000 lockdown fines

More than 14,000 fines for alleged breaches of lockdown regulations have been handed out by police in England and Wales.

The UK's largest force - the Metropolitan Police in London - also issued the most penalty notices, with 906. By contrast, Warwickshire Police issued only 31.

Welsh police forces were responsible for 799 of the fines, issued between 27 March and 11 May, compared to 13,445 in England.

The largest number of fines issued in a single day was on 11 April, the Saturday of the Easter weekend, when 600 penalty notices were handed out.

 

[Firebat]

Over 12,000 Covid deaths in England and Wales care homes

Official figures show that 12,256 residents of care homes in England and Wales died with Covid-19 mentioned on their death certificates.

That's more than a third higher than previously quoted figures - because some of the residents were admitted to hospital before they died, and so were counted in the main hospital statistics.

The figures from the Office for National Statistics cover the period between 2 March and 1 May. They provide the most extensive picture yet of the damage done by coronavirus in the social care system.

Covid-19 became the leading cause of death for men in care homes and the second leading cause for women.

In total, there were 45,889 deaths of care home residents, more than a quarter of which involved coronavirus.

 

[Abdullah719]

Department of Health announces 384 new COVID-19 related deaths in all UK settings bringing the total to 33,998.

 

[Abdullah719]

 

[MenInG]

Downing Street has rolled back on the idea of exempting travellers from France from incoming quarantine rules, with only freight drivers and experts working on anti-Covid-19 efforts being able to avoid the 14-day isolation period.

Boris Johnson used his TV address last Sunday to announce that quarantine restrictions would soon be imposed on people entering the UK, but only mentioned those arriving by air. It later became clear that the rules would also apply to arrivals by road, rail and sea.

Later on Sunday, after a call between Johnson and the French president, Emmanuel Macron, Downing Street said “no quarantine measures would apply to travellers coming from France at this stage”.

Asked about it on Friday, however, Johnson’s spokesman said: “There isn’t a French exemption. What the statement at the weekend said was they were quoting measures applied to France [at that stage], and that was a joint statement between ourselves and the French.”

 

[MenInG]

From today's briefing:

A further £600m ($730m) has been made available to care homes in England this week, on top of other injections of money over the past few months

All care home residents and staff will be tested for coronavirus by June

Each care home will have a named clinical lead from the NHS. They will also get help with accessing technology to help residents speak safely to GPs and other health workers

Care homes should be transparent with families about the situation within the home

Younger disabled people in care homes should have access to testing but the priority is older people because they are most vulnerable

The R-number - or the average number of people infected by each infected person - is somewhere between 0.7 and 1

 

[MenInG]

From today's briefing

 

[KingKhanWC]

A fast growing trend is emerging , more and more people are just carrying on with their business.

UK govt has left little confidence in people.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Of course there has been, the pubs are shut! )

Exactly...

That was a dumb stat to bring up...

Average Excess deaths 30 odd thousand higher then in other years.
That’s the stat we should all be worried about.

What is dumb is people not doing their research and seeing pubs closed, thus assumimg.

Never assume.

Firstly people do not drink as much in pubs due to the expense and also its not usually a nightly outing.

Doctors fear that people could be drinking so much alcohol during the coronavirus lockdown that a ‘second health crisis’ is on the way.

Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2020/04/16/drin...ealth-crisis-alcoholism-12564601/?ito=cbshare

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/

Please laugh at doctors and call them dumb because you know better. lol

 

[Saj]

Over 12,000 care home residents in England and Wales have died with coronavirus

It’s now the leading cause of death in care homes for men, and the second leading cause for women.

 

[HitWicket]

What is dumb is people not doing their research and seeing pubs closed, thus assumimg.

Never assume.

Firstly people do not drink as much in pubs due to the expense and also its not usually a nightly outing.



Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/

Please laugh at doctors and call them dumb because you know better. lol

You're quite literally the one that provided the statistical facts indicating there'd been no notable change in alcohol sales during the lockdown...

 

[KingKhanWC]

You're quite literally the one that provided the statistical facts indicating there'd been no notable change in alcohol sales during the lockdown...

More people are drinking at home, this was my point. Shop sales have increased according to stats and I know people with off licences who have told me people are drinking dailly. Not sure why you want to deny this even after doctors are saying this may cause another health issue for many many people.

I dont care if people drink or do drugs, not my problem. My larger point was people are stuck inside and ruining their health via intoxicants, over eating, lack of exercise. When such people emerge with weak immune systems, it could likely cause a second wave.

 

[HitWicket]

More people are drinking at home, this was my point. Shop sales have increased according to stats and I know people with off licences who have told me people are drinking dailly. Not sure why you want to deny this even after doctors are saying this may cause another health issue for many many people.

I dont care if people drink or do drugs, not my problem. My larger point was people are stuck inside and ruining their health via intoxicants, over eating, lack of exercise. When such people emerge with weak immune systems, it could likely cause a second wave.

Of course more people are drinking alcohol at home given outside lockdown approximately 30% of alcohol is bought in licensed premises and therefore naturally shop sales have also increased.

The fact of the matter is though that you yourself have provided stats that (on a second look) if anything indicate a strong likelihood that total alcohol sales are actually down in lockdown compared to normal outside it...

 

[KingKhanWC]

Of course more people are drinking alcohol at home given outside lockdown approximately 30% of alcohol is bought in licensed premises and therefore naturally shop sales have also increased.

The fact of the matter is though that you yourself have provided stats that (on a second look) if anything indicate a strong likelihood that total alcohol sales are actually down in lockdown compared to normal outside it...

I must have missed them and if so I will take it back. Please copy and paste these stats.

 

[HitWicket]

I must have missed them and if so I will take it back. Please copy and paste these stats.

You provided the following article: https://www.theguardian.com/busines...il-sales-to-record-low-but-alcohol-sales-rise

This claims that in lockdown there's been a 31.4% in alcohol sales in off licenses and a 10% increase in sales in supermarkets in lockdown compared to outside. Given approximately 31% of alcohol sales outside lockdown are in licensed premises those stats indicate that total alcohol sales have seen a decrease and not just by a very small amount.

 

[KingKhanWC]

You provided the following article: https://www.theguardian.com/busines...il-sales-to-record-low-but-alcohol-sales-rise

This claims that in lockdown there's been a 31.4% in alcohol sales in off licenses and a 10% increase in sales in supermarkets in lockdown compared to outside. Given approximately 31% of alcohol sales outside lockdown are in licensed premises those stats indicate that total alcohol sales have seen a decrease and not just by a very small amount.

Copy and paste the quote. I read this "while off-licence sales of alcohol soared 31.4% in volume terms!"

This is in the lockdown. Simply show me where they are down in the LOCKDOWN. ??

 

[HitWicket]

Copy and paste the quote. I read this "while off-licence sales of alcohol soared 31.4% in volume terms!"

This is in the lockdown. Simply show me where they are down in the LOCKDOWN. ??

I'm referring to total alcohol sales given this is clearly what is most relevant to alcohol consumption, not just sales in off licenses.

If sales in off licenses and supernarkets account for less than 69% of alcohol sales outside lockdown then a 31.4% increase in off-licence sales and 10.3% increase in supermarket sales represents a clear reduction in total alcohol sales across the country compared to outside lockdown.

 

[KingKhanWC]

I'm referring to total alcohol sales given this is clearly what is most relevant to alcohol consumption, not just sales in off licenses.

If sales in off licenses and supernarkets account for less than 69% of alcohol sales outside lockdown then a 31.4% increase in off-licence sales and 10.3% increase in supermarket sales represents a clear reduction in total alcohol sales across the country compared to outside lockdown.

This is wasting my time now. More people are drinking at home, the doctors are warning of a new health crisis. Believe what you like. If you want to drink a bottle every night, go for it. Not my issue.

 

[HitWicket]

This is wasting my time now. More people are drinking at home, the doctors are warning of a new health crisis. Believe what you like. If you want to drink a bottle every night, go for it. Not my issue.

Whether people are drinking at home or not is irrelevant, it's their total alcohol intake that matters and you've provided stats that have shown people are on average drinking less. That's the relevant bit of info.

Doctors of psychology speculating based prior to the collection of any data themselves (and added to from an article using misleading stats for the US) isn't really much use either, especially when you've already provided stats.

 

[Robert]

What is dumb is people not doing their research and seeing pubs closed, thus assumimg.

Never assume.

Firstly people do not drink as much in pubs due to the expense and also its not usually a nightly outing.



Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/

Please laugh at doctors and call them dumb because you know better. lol

Oh, you assume that people will drink more because booze is cheaper to buy if you drink at home. In that case why go to a pub at all, ever?

What do you really know of drinking culture? I suspect not much.

You tell us not to assume and yet you make assumption after assumption based on little knowledge.

 

[MenInG]

The children's commissioner for England has called for teachers' unions and the government to "stop squabbling" and agree a plan for the safe reopening of schools

Later on Saturday, Graham Norton will front Come Together on BBC One, a replacement for the Eurovision song contest which has been cancelled due to the pandemic

In Scotland, a 10th resident has died of coronavirus at a care home on the Isle of Skye

A trial to see whether medical sniffer dogs can be trained to detect coronavirus has begun in the UK

 

[Firebat]

BREAKING: Latest UK death figures

Here are the latest numbers of people who have died after testing positive for Covid-19 in the four UK nations:

In England a further 181 people have died, taking the total number of deaths in hospitals there to 24,527
In Scotland, there have been a further 41 deaths, taking the total to 2,094
In Wales, there have been a further 18 deaths, taking the total to 1,191
In Northern Ireland, there have been a further four deaths, taking the total to 473
Figures for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are mostly hospital deaths.

UK-wide figures published by the Department of Health - which use a different timeframe to those of individual nations and also include deaths in the community and care homes - will be published later.

 

[Firebat]

The latest from around the UK

The public is being urged to avoid beauty spots on the first weekend since the government eased some lockdown measures in England.

There is no longer a limit on how far people can travel to take exercise, and councils in areas with beauty spots are concerned that visitors may come in large numbers.

In other developments:

The children's commissioner for England has called for teachers' unions and the government to "stop squabbling" and agree a plan for the safe reopening of schools

Later on Saturday, Graham Norton will front Come Together on BBC One, a replacement for the Eurovision song contest which has been cancelled due to the pandemic

In Scotland, a 10th resident has died of coronavirus at a care home on the Isle of Skye

A trial to see whether medical sniffer dogs can be trained to detect coronavirus has begun in the UK

 

[Firebat]

Questions remain over safety of reopening schools

There's still some disagreement on how likely children are to actually catch the coronavirus. But it's clear that if and when they do, the infection is generally very mild.

And with a respiratory infection, if you're not as severely affected - so you're not coughing and sneezing - you won't infect other people as much.

Dr Mike Tildesley, an epidemiologist at the University of Warwick who's studying the pattern of this outbreak, says opening schools will need to be done in careful stages - researchers will watch the infection rate and learn more at every phase.

"So we know that the average transmission rate for a child will be lower than the average for an adult," he said. "But is the average child 10 times less transmissible? Half as transmissible? We don’t know the answer to that and that’s quite a big difference."

In Friday's government coronavirus briefing, Jennie Harries, the deputy chief medical officer for England, sought to allay parents' anxiety by pointing to the low risk of anyone within a school being infected.

"In an average school - with 100 children the likelihood of anybody having this disease is very small and diminishing with time," she said. "I think we just need to keep that in perspective."

To protect teachers and their pupils, social distancing - which is a particularly alien concept for small children - will need to be a part of school life.

One aim of a phased reopening is to provide the space for that.

 

[Firebat]

Department of Health announces 468 new COVID-19 related deaths in all UK settings bringing the total to 34,466.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As of 9am 16 May, there have been 2,489,563 tests, with 136,486 tests on 15 May. <br><br>1,742,028 people have been tested of which 240,161 tested positive. <br><br>As of 5pm on 15 May, of those tested positive for coronavirus, across all settings, 34,466 have sadly died. <a href="https://t.co/NUmxLoGRgx">pic.twitter.com/NUmxLoGRgx</a></p>— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1261654598005272576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Firebat]

More than 130,000 tests in UK on Friday

There were 136,486 coronavirus tests in the UK on Friday, according to figures from the Department of Health.

The numbers include tests processed in laboratories as well as home testing kits which have been sent out - whether or not they have been processed.

The number of people tested on Friday was 78,537.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to reach 200,000 lab tests a day by the end of May.

Meanwhile, as of 17:00 on Friday, 34,466 people died after testing positive for Covid-19 across all settings in the UK, according to the department's figures

 

[Firebat]

Several hundred protest against lockdown in London

Several hundred people have been protesting against the lockdown in Hyde Park in central London.

Scotland Yard said six people had been arrested as of 14:00 BST (13:00 GMT). Piers Corbyn, the brother of the former Labour leader, was among those taken into custody.

The protesters said they objected to their rights of free speech and movement being curtailed by the regulations introduced to control coronavirus. One group chanted "no 5G" and "no vaccines".

The protest was one of a number around the country resulting from flyers distributed on social media.

 

[Firebat]

Scotland Yard said six people had been arrested as of 14:00 BST (13:00 GMT). Piers Corbyn, the brother of the former Labour leader, was among those taken into custody.

The protesters said they objected to their rights of free speech and movement being curtailed by the regulations introduced to control coronavirus. One group chanted "no 5G" and "no vaccines".

Certainly one of the strangest things I've read recently.

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

Piers Corbyn, brother of the former Labour leader, was among the people arrested during a protest against the coronavirus lockdown.

Dozens of people defied social distancing to gather at Speakers' Corner in London's Hyde Park.

The protesters said they objected to their rights of free speech and movement being curtailed by the regulations introduced to control coronavirus. One group chanted "no 5G" and "no vaccines".

There is no evidence to link 5G and Covid-19.

A flyer advertising the protest called for "no to mandatory vaccines, no to the new normal, and no to the unlawful lockdown".

David Samson, 50, told the PA news agency: "I never thought I'd see, in my generation, the suppressing of civil rights" over a "fake virus".

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said it was "disappointing" that the group gathered "in clear breach of the guidance, putting themselves and others at risk of infection".

He said officers urged the group to disperse but "they clearly had no intention of doing so", leading to 19 arrests. A further 10 were issued with a fixed-penalty notice.

The protest was one of a number around the UK, including Southampton and Belfast.

 

[MenInG]

Boris Johnson has acknowledged frustration over the "complex" easing of England's coronavirus lockdown.

The PM wrote in the Mail on Sunday that more complicated messages were needed during the next phase of the response and as restrictions changed.

But Mr Johnson said he trusted the "good sense of the British people" to observe the new rules and thanked the public for "sticking with us" so far.

It came as No 10 announced up to £93m to speed-up a new vaccine research lab.

The new fund will accelerate construction of the not-for-profit Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre in Oxfordshire so it can open a year earlier than planned, the government said.

Ministers hope the centre will be a "key component" of the UK's coronavirus vaccine programme.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: "Once a breakthrough is made, we need to be ready to manufacture a vaccine by the millions."

But Mr Johnson cautioned that, while the UK is "leading the global effort" to find a jab, "a vaccine might not come to fruition".

In his article, Mr Johnson said changes to lockdown restrictions in England - such as unlimited exercise outdoors - were possible due to the public's "good common sense".

In a reference to confusion and criticism of the government's new message urging people to "stay alert", Mr Johnson said the government was attempting something that has "never had to be done before".

The government changed its slogan from "stay at home" to "stay alert" in England on 10 May. The stay home message remains the same in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which have their own powers over restrictions.

"I understand people will feel frustrated with some of the new rules," the PM wrote.

"We are trying to do something that has never had to be done before - moving the country out of a full lockdown, in a way which is safe and does not risk sacrificing all of your hard work.

"I recognise what we are now asking is more complex than simply staying at home, but this is a complex problem and we need to trust in the good sense of the British people."

He added that he wanted to thank the public personally "for sticking with us and - most of all - for being so patient".

"And I want to reassure you that there is a route out of this."

The PM's words came as the government sought to reassure parents in England it will be safe to send their children back to school next month.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told Saturday's daily Downing Street briefing "we owe it to the children" to get pupils back in school.

Mr Williamson said he knew some parents were "very anxious" about reopening schools, but said it would be a "cautious, phased return".

It followed a row over the government's plan to begin a phased reopening of primary schools in England no earlier than 1 June.

Teachers' unions have said the date is too soon to be safe - and the British Medical Association has said it is right to be cautious.

England is the only UK nation to set a date for schools to start to reopen. Schools in Wales will not reopen on 1 June, while those in Scotland and Northern Ireland may not restart before the summer holidays.

Meanwhile, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said different approaches to tackling coronavirus across the UK nations will not "help us out of this crisis".

The number of people who have died with coronavirus in the UK across all settings increased by 468 on Saturday.

It takes the total number of UK deaths, in all settings following a positive coronavirus test, to 34,466.

There were 136,486 tests in the UK on Friday - the highest daily figure so far in the UK. Boris Johnson has set a target of 200,000 tests a day by the end of May.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-52694623

 

[Abdullah719]

Coronavirus: Schools safe to reopen, Michael Gove insists

Spoiler

Michael Gove has insisted England's schools are safe to reopen, but acknowledged that "you can never eliminate risk".

Mr Gove told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show the key was to make schools safe with smaller classes and staggered arrivals.

The government has set out plans to begin a phased reopening of primary schools in England from next month.

Labour's Angela Rayner urged the government to publish the scientific advice guiding those plans for 1 June.

Teaching unions, backed by the British Medical Association, have raised concerns about safety.

Speaking to Andrew Marr, Mr Gove could not guarantee that teachers and pupils would not catch coronavirus.

But the former education secretary said the UK can "learn" from children returning to schools in other European countries, such as Denmark.

"The only way ever to ensure that you never catch coronavirus is to stay at home completely. But there is always, always, always, in any loosening of these restrictions, a risk of people catching the coronavirus," the Cabinet Office minister said.

"You can never eliminate risk," he said. "It is the case that it is extremely unlikely that any school is likely to be the source of a Covid outbreak."

Under government plans, children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 in England will return to school on 1 June.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said on Saturday that the government's approach was based on the "best scientific advice with children at the very heart of everything we do".

Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner told Andrew Marr: "I urge the government to publish the science and to ensure testing and tracing is in place to safeguard.

"Councils want to make sure their citizens are safe. I support them in trying to do that."

Some local authorities in the north of England have challenged the government's timetable, with Liverpool and Hartlepool councils saying schools will not reopen at the start of next month as coronavirus cases continue to rise locally.

Meanwhile, schools in Wales will not reopen on 1 June, while those in Scotland and Northern Ireland may not restart before the summer holidays.

https://www.bbc.com/news/education-52697488

 

[Firebat]

Latest death figures for England, Scotland and Wales

In England a further 90 people have died, taking the total number of deaths in hospitals there to 24,617

In Scotland, there have been a further nine deaths, taking the total to 2,103

In Wales, there have been a further 12 deaths, taking the total to 1,203

Figures for Scotland and Wales are mostly hospital deaths.

UK-wide figures published by the Department of Health - which use a different timeframe to those of individual nations and also include deaths in the community and care homes - will be published later.

 

[Firebat]

School row and travel concerns: Latest in UK

This is what's been happening so far:

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has acknowledged frustration over the "complex" easing of England's lockdown, writing in the Mail on Sunday that more complicated messages were needed during the next phase

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said he was confident children and teachers would be safe when schools return in England - but any reopening would be "staged and careful"

The World Health Organization's chief scientist said children didn't seem to be getting severely ill from Covid-19, but there was less data on how effectively they spread the virus to others

A business lobby group has expressed concerns about potential plans to bring in a 14-day quarantine for those arriving in the UK via air

The UK economy is now over "the worst" of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and is entering a recovery phase as restrictions are loosened, the head of the Office for Budget Responsibility has said

 

[MenInG]

The UK's daily figure for coronavirus deaths has dropped to 170 - the lowest since the day after lockdown began

The UK is providing an additional £84m to accelerate the search for a vaccine, Business Secretary Alok Sharma says

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

Police have interviewed a man in connection with an incident involving a railway worker who died with coronavirus.

Belly Mujinga died after being spat at by a member of the public claiming to have COVID-19 on the concourse of Victoria Station in London.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "Following a number of inquiries into an incident at London Victoria station on March 21, officers identified a 57-year-old man from London in connection.

"He was interviewed under caution today at a London police station.

"Detectives will continue to collate evidence and investigate the circumstances behind the incident.

"They are not looking to identify anyone further in relation to the incident."

Her husband, Lusamba Gode Katalay, said: "They weren't given masks, or gloves, so they were exposed to everyone. It's her employer, the company and the state who have to look at that."

According to her family, Ms Mujinga and her colleague had asked not to be sent back out and to instead work from inside the ticket office following the incident.

But their request was refused and they were told people were needed to work outside.

Staff at Victoria Station had expressed their shock at Ms Mujinga's death and voiced fears for their own safety.

Gate worker Victor Bangura, 34, said: "I was very shocked. It is the last person I would expect it to happen to.

"She was a nice person, looked healthy, she was a mother. Imagine you see someone now like me and the next time they are dead."

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavi...ay-worker-who-was-spat-on-at-station-11990196

 

[Firebat]

Scotland aims to ease lockdown on 28 May

Coronavirus lockdown measures in Scotland could begin to be lifted from 28 May, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

The first minister said this would mean people could meet someone from another household as long as social distancing is maintained.

More outdoor activities will also be allowed.

Ms Sturgeon also announced that coronavirus testing will be extended to everyone in Scotland over the age of five who is displaying symptoms.

Tests can be booked online and will be available at one of Scotland's five drive-in testing centres, or at one of the 12 mobile testing units.

Although anyone can now request a test, priority will still be given to key workers.

Spoiler

The list of symptoms which would require someone to self-isolate was updated on Monday to include loss of smell or taste. The other symptoms are a new, continuous cough or a fever.

The Scottish government will publish more details on Thursday of its "phased approach" to easing the lockdown restrictions.

The first minister said that if progress was being made on suppressing the virus, the first phase would start from 28 May.

She said the aim would be to allow:

- More outdoor activity, such as being able to sit in the park
- Meeting up outdoors with someone from another household, as long as people stay socially distant
- Some outdoor sporting activities, like golf and fishing
- Opening of garden centres and recycling facilities
- The resumption of some outdoor work.

Ms Sturgeon said more information would also be given about when schools might reopen.

"Within two weeks, my hope is that we will be taking some concrete steps on the journey back to normality," she said.

"As I've said before, it won't be normality as we knew it because the virus will not have gone away, but it will be a journey to a better balance - I hope - than the one we have today."

She said that sticking with lockdown restrictions for "a bit longer" was important so the next steps could be taken with confidence.

The first minister added that current lockdown advice in Scotland remained in place.

Some lockdown measures were eased in England last Wednesday, allowing people from different households to meet outdoors.

People are also allowed to travel to other areas of England to visit destinations like parks and beaches.

However, the changes did not apply to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, who are working to their own timetables.



Thursday's "route map" will take into account the latest figures on the spread of the infection and the death rate data which will be published by the National Records of Scotland on Wednesday.

On Monday, Ms Sturgeon said 2,105 patients had now died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus, up two from 2,103 on Sunday.

But she issued a note of caution over the death figures, saying that registrations tend to be lower at the weekend.

There are now 1,427 patients in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, up 119 from 1,308 on Sunday.

Of these, 63 are in intensive care, a rise of four.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-52707747

 

[Firebat]

NHS England announces another 122 hospital deaths

NHS England has announced another 122 coronavirus deaths, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths in hospitals in England to 24,739.

Meanwhile, in Scotland there were two further deaths, Wales reported four more people had died, while another six were announced in Northern Ireland.

The death numbers announced on Sundays and Mondays are typically lower than the other five days of the week, because of fluctuations in how quickly deaths are reported.

The total UK-wide figure will be announced later - that also includes deaths in care homes and the community.

 

[Firebat]

Over two million claims for UK self-employment scheme

There have been more that two million claims for the UK’s grant scheme for self-employed people, the chancellor has said.

Rishi Sunak told MPs that the total value of the claims made as of yesterday stood at £6bn, after applications opened last week.

Grants will be calculated for 80% of average monthly profit over a period of up to three years.

The maximum payment will be £7,500, intended to cover March, April and May.

 

[Firebat]

All over-fives to get tests in UK

Everyone over the age of five living in the UK will soon be eligible to be tested, the health secretary has just told MPs.

The move has been agreed by Matt Hancock and his counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Testing in England and Scotland is currently limited to key workers, hospital patients, care home residents, the over-65s and those who need to leave home for work.

In Northern Ireland and Wales, it is confined to key workers, hospital patients and care home residents.

 

[MenInG]

60 new UK deaths in last 24 hours

The UK Department of Health says 34,796 people have died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Sunday, up by 160 from 34,636 the day before.

In the 24-hour period up to 9am on Monday, 100,678 tests were carried out or dispatched, with a total of 67,409 people tested and 2,684 positive results.

Overall a total of 2,682,716 tests have been carried out, and 246,406 cases have been confirmed positive.

As always, there are two important caveats to mention with these figures

There has typically been a reporting lag over the weekend and today’s figures – which represent the lowest daily death toll since 24 March – might not be a true indicator of future numbers.

And most experts accept the total death toll attributable to the virus is much higher than that officially recorded by the Department of Health, with ONS figures indicating thousands of excess deaths over the past two months.

The number of people in hospital has fallen by 13% to 9,408.

As for testing, 100,678 tests were carried out in the past 24 hours, marginally above the government’s 100,000 end of April target.