Coronavirus in UK

[Rana]

No they are not. When the patient dies we confirm if he/she was covid positive or not and if the death was due to Covid or not, the appropriate death certificate is then produced by the examining doctor and that information is then passed onto the hierarchy. Unless you're accusing all of us health workers, doctors and nurses as frauds.

In other news, there have been 100s of deaths related to Covid outside hospitals, not surprising and sad as being reported now on BBC.

Deaths unknown being reported as Covid 19. ‘Possible cause of death being Covid 19’.

Keep your tone calm with me pal. Friendly advice

 

[Pakpak]

Deaths unknown being reported as Covid 19. ‘Possible cause of death being Covid 19’.

Keep your tone calm with me pal. Friendly advice

Quote an official report that says 'possible death being Covid 19'. Good outlets like BBC never ever post such nonsense.

''Keep your tone calm with me pal. Friendly advice''

Or what? I don't have patience to be calm with trolls who spread misinformation about such a serious issue and then we get more trouble because morons reads such views and spread the disease as people like us are the first ones who have to do deal with people who are misled by false propaganda.
[MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] was correct the amount reported was lower as it was confirmed today MANY hundreds died outside the hospitals of Covid and weren't reported.

 

[Rana]

Quote an official report that says 'possible death being Covid 19'. Good outlets like BBC never ever post such nonsense.

''Keep your tone calm with me pal. Friendly advice''

Or what? I don't have patience to be calm with trolls who spread misinformation about such a serious issue and then we get more trouble because morons reads such views and spread the disease as people like us are the first ones who have to do deal with people who are misled by false propaganda.

[MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] was correct the amount reported was lower as it was confirmed today MANY hundreds died outside the hospitals of Covid and weren't reported.

This is why I think you are still a fool to even suggest BBC or Sky news as a potential source to debunk your theory. They are at the frontline with you to make sure the lockdown stays in place as long as possible, because as long as it remains so does eyeballs on news outlets looking for a breakthrough to end this nightmare.

What are you, a junior nurse wasting his time on PakPassion?

 

[Pakpak]

This is why I think you are still a fool to even suggest BBC or Sky news as a potential source to debunk your theory. They are at the frontline with you to make sure the lockdown stays in place as long as possible, because as long as it remains so does eyeballs on news outlets looking for a breakthrough to end this nightmare.

What are you, a junior nurse wasting his time on PakPassion?

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...glandandwalesprovisional/weekending3april2020

Official government data on deaths by Covid. These are the official numbers who specifically mention deaths by Covid week by week. I don't know how strong your math skills are but you can add the numbers together and they add upto over 12,000 week by week.

And no, I am only a fool who spent 6 years of his life studying for a Medical degree brother, trying to save lives of people like who you spread misinformation. When you see someone dying with this disease infront of you then you'd stop posting conspiracy theories about countries staying in lockdowns. If it were upto me I'd extend the lockdown even more.

 

[saeedhk]

This thread proves Pakistan is truly a land of Zaid Hamids!

 

[Pakpak]

This thread proves Pakistan is truly a land of Zaid Hamids!

[MENTION=2016]Rana[/MENTION] is a very good poster otherwise. So no hard feelings against him, he's not as bad as some of the others.

 

[Pakpak]

[MENTION=2016]Rana[/MENTION] and others: the report for anyone who doesn't wish to read:

''NHS England COVID-19 deaths by date of death, which come from the same source as DHSC but are continuously updated, showed 5,186 deaths by 3 April''

''Of the deaths registered in Week 14, 3,475 mentioned “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”''

The last week or so will be released by end of next week and total deaths would exceed 11,000 if everything adds up.

And [MENTION=2016]Rana[/MENTION] not really wasting time here, I barely average 12 posts a month, surely I am allowed to browse and post on whatever time I get off.

I am out of this thread, I hope everyone stays safe and stays inside.

 

[Firebat]

UK care homes 'left behind'

Care homes in the UK have been "left behind" when it comes to personal protective equipment and testing for coronavirus, Baroness Ros Altmann has told the BBC.

"There are a lot more people apparently dying in care homes without having seen a doctor, without the normal care and treatment that you would hope they were able to receive," added the former pensions minister.

She said that the health system was "stacked against" people in care homes, after new figures were released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

The figures, which cover every community death linked to Covid-19 in England and Wales, showed that a total of 406 such deaths registered up to 3 April had occurred outside of hospitals.

Of those extra deaths, 217 took place in care homes, 33 in hospices, 136 in private homes, three in other communal establishments and 17 elsewhere.

About 410,000 people live in 11,300 care homes for older people in the UK, supplied by 5,500 different providers.

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-52275989

 

[Rana]

[MENTION=2016]Rana[/MENTION] is a very good poster otherwise. So no hard feelings against him, he's not as bad as some of the others.

With all due respect brother. I apologise for the harsh tone. This isn’t an easy time for anyone. We have not met our parents for 5 weeks now. My mother has been begging us to see my 3 year old but we have not given in to make sure that we respect what the government says. We just hope that the government at some point tells us it’s ok to do things that we used to do in the past. Otherwise we firmly stand alongside whatever I government and NHS is asking us to do.

 

[Firebat]

UK death toll passes 12,000

Coronavirus-related deaths in UK hospitals have risen to 12,107, an increase of 778 on yesterday's total.

The UK Department of Health said as of 09.00 BST on Tuesday, 302,599 people have been tested of whom 93,873 were positive.

Overall, 382,650 tests have been concluded, with 14,982 tests carried out on Sunday, excluding Northern Ireland.

 

[Pakpak]

With all due respect brother. I apologise for the harsh tone. This isn’t an easy time for anyone. We have not met our parents for 5 weeks now. My mother has been begging us to see my 3 year old but we have not given in to make sure that we respect what the government says. We just hope that the government at some point tells us it’s ok to do things that we used to do in the past. Otherwise we firmly stand alongside whatever I government and NHS is asking us to do.

It is a very hard time ofcourse. I haven't seen my parents, brother for quite a while and me and my wife obsess about Covid all the time incase I get it or she gets it at her work and then gives it to me due to my asthma which can be deadly in my case for me.

As for the government, you're right in giving them blame as this would not have happened had they took care of it earlier. I am sure you remember Boris shaking hands openly and bragging about doing so. They took steps way too late.

I hope everything comes back to normal sooner or later. I miss my Nandos meals now and then

 

[Firebat]

The wildlife species enjoying lockdown

As the UK enters it fourth week of lockdown, conservationists say they have seen some hidden benefits of the restrictions in the natural world.

With fewer people in urban environments and much less traffic on the roads, scientists say there could be gains particularly for our native mammals.

David Wembridge, of the People's Trust For Endangered Species, said: "In the places that are normally noisy, busy and dominated by human activity, there will be a lot more space for animals and wildlife so a lot of species will respond to that."

Prof Dawn Scott, from Keele University, added: "If you go out exercising and you're on your own, it's quite quiet and you're likely to come across things you've not seen before - animals such as foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, deer - animals that usually are quite sensitive to disturbance."

 

[Firebat]

The wildlife species enjoying lockdown

As the UK enters it fourth week of lockdown, conservationists say they have seen some hidden benefits of the restrictions in the natural world.

With fewer people in urban environments and much less traffic on the roads, scientists say there could be gains particularly for our native mammals.

David Wembridge, of the People's Trust For Endangered Species, said: "In the places that are normally noisy, busy and dominated by human activity, there will be a lot more space for animals and wildlife so a lot of species will respond to that."

Prof Dawn Scott, from Keele University, added: "If you go out exercising and you're on your own, it's quite quiet and you're likely to come across things you've not seen before - animals such as foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, deer - animals that usually are quite sensitive to disturbance."

Planet seems to be healing with decrease in human acitivity

 

[Rana]

It is a very hard time ofcourse. I haven't seen my parents, brother for quite a while and me and my wife obsess about Covid all the time incase I get it or she gets it at her work and then gives it to me due to my asthma which can be deadly in my case for me.

As for the government, you're right in giving them blame as this would not have happened had they took care of it earlier. I am sure you remember Boris shaking hands openly and bragging about doing so. They took steps way too late.

I hope everything comes back to normal sooner or later. I miss my Nandos meals now and then

One thing I would like this government to do is allow nurseries and primary schools to open in 3-4 weeks.

I feel so sorry for parents who are stuck at home with these toddlers, very young children who need to develop in a safe and open environment with other children. We live in a flat and it’s so difficult to look after a child with erratic sleep patterns.

She had started her pre-school and we could see some excellent improvements in her social behaviour, language and creativity. That had just stopped!

 

[Firebat]

Coronavirus: Another 778 deaths in UK hospitals takes total past 12,000

Another 778 patients with coronavirus have died in hospitals across the UK, taking the nationwide total to 12,107.

The number of tests for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, has also risen by 14,982 to 382,650, although this figure includes some patients being tested more than once.

According to the Department of Health, 93,873 people have now tested positive in the UK.

Once again, figures were also provided by health authorities in each of the home nations, which collate their stats at different times throughout the day and so may not tally up to the government's overall total.

NHS England announced another 744 coronavirus patients had died in hospitals in England, taking the total in the country to 11,005.

Those latest fatalities were aged between 34 and 102 - and 58 of those (aged between 38 and 96) had no known underlying health conditions.

London recorded the most new deaths with 206, followed by the North West with 143 and the Midlands with 109.

There were 95 in East England, 93 in the North East & Yorkshire, 73 in the South East and 25 in the South West.

Earlier, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that there had been another 40 deaths in hospitals in Scotland.

Public Health Wales confirmed another 19 deaths, while Northern Ireland announced another 10.

According to the regional statistics, the number of deaths of COVID-19 hospital patients stands at:

England - 11,005
Scotland - 615
Wales - 403
Northern Ireland - 134

However, the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics released earlier on Tuesday suggested the UK's true coronavirus death toll is far higher than the government's tally.

The numbers showed that 10% of coronavirus-related fatalities in the week ending 3 April did not happen in hospital, with more than half of those happening in care homes.

It came after news at Monday's government coronavirus briefing that 92 care homes had reported outbreaks of the disease in the 24 hours before the conference.

England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said 13.5% of care homes have been affected by the virus, admitting that he would like to see testing increased at care homes.

According to data from some European countries, about half of COVID-19 deaths are happening in care homes.

With the death toll continuing to climb, the UK lockdown is set to be officially extended when the unprecedented measures are formally reviewed on Thursday.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is deputising for the prime minister as he recovers from COVID-19, said social distancing was having an impact but that the UK had still not reached the peak of the outbreak.

Speaking at the same Downing Street news briefing on Monday evening, chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance predicted that this would be a "difficult week" for the UK in terms of deaths.

He said once the UK reaches the peak of its outbreak, the number of cases and deaths will plateau for a few weeks before starting to head downwards.

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-another-744-die-in-hospitals-in-england-11973021

 

[Robert]

London, United Kingdom - Concerns have been raised that right-wing voices in the United Kingdom could fuel Islamophobia, after a commentator suggested a "spike" in coronavirus cases during Ramadan.

Andrew Pierce, a journalist for the Daily Mail tabloid, tweeted on Sunday: "If families gather for holy month of Ramadan will there be a huge spike in Covid cases. Doctors are very worried."

His tweet was met with anger by academics, journalists and activists alike who accused him of raising unsubstantiated claims.

An article published by The Times on the same day evoked similar sentiments, after it, too, suggested an increase in coronavirus cases due to a predicted increase in gatherings during Ramadan - despite social distancing regulations - leading with the headline, "Experts fear a spike in UK coronavirus cases during Ramadan".

Among those critical of this rhetoric was Miqdaad Versi, a spokesperson for the Muslim Council of Britain. Speaking to Al Jazeera English, he said it was of paramount importance "to guard against far-right rhetoric" which scapegoated Muslims as a "threat to the rest of society".

If families gather for holy month of Ramadan will there be a huge spike in Covid cases. Doctors are very worried

— Andrew Pierce (@toryboypierce) April 12, 2020
"We've witnessed these through a number of false stories peddled from the start of the pandemic, such as all mosques being kept open, Muslims secretly congregating - and even that Muslims were going to gather together in the month of Ramadan, all against government guidance," said Versi.

Given that the first five doctors to die from coronavirus were from Muslim backgrounds, Versi added such narratives erased the sacrifice of those on the front lines.

"These stories are not only untrue and dangerous, but also undermine the mammoth work of Muslims in supporting the national effort, from working on the front line, with a number of Muslim medics having lost their lives, to setting up community initiatives to help those who are vulnerable.

"We can only urge mainstream commentators to avoid such an irresponsible and reckless framing, especially at a time when community solidarity is all the more important," he added.

Tell Mama, a group which monitors anti-Muslim attacks, reported dozens of incidents in March, where far-right groups were supposedly spreading conspiracy theories blaming Muslims for the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group have also had to debunk numerous social media posts spreading fake news. Among them was a tweet alleging some Muslims in Wembley, northwest London, were ignoring social distancing regulations by praying on the road.

Suriyah Bi is a lecturer at London's School of Oriental and African Studies, conducting research into how British Muslims prepare and cope with the coronavirus. Speaking of her findings, having so far surveyed 283 people, Bi told Al Jazeera:

"Blaming Muslims for the spread of the virus is absolutely unfounded, as our ongoing study demonstrates that 100 percent of British Muslims who have thus far taken part in the study are strongly adhering to social distancing measures and are not attending religious and social gatherings."

In 2018, the Royal College of Psychiatrists voiced concerns over the disproportionate and "significant, negative impact" of racism on "a person's life chances and mental health" in communities from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. Citing the findings of the report, Bi voiced additional concerns over how scapegoating narratives could "pose a risk to public health" as such could exacerbate the "social-psychological impact" of a community already under strain.

"We know that the first 10 doctors who have died from the virus [in the UK] are BAME, and the population is known to be at greater risk of infection. We do not know if socio-psychological factors, including those brought on by Islamophobia and discrimination, increase risk levels.

"Indications from a cross-section of data from mental health, socioeconomic status and discrimination suggest there is a correlation. Thus, we must treat any scapegoating narratives as posing a risk to public health."

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...ict-ramadan-virus-spread-200413170844190.html

Disgraceful dog-whistling to spread Islamophobia.

 

[Robert]

Quote an official report that says 'possible death being Covid 19'. Good outlets like BBC never ever post such nonsense.

''Keep your tone calm with me pal. Friendly advice''

Or what? I don't have patience to be calm with trolls who spread misinformation about such a serious issue and then we get more trouble because morons reads such views and spread the disease as people like us are the first ones who have to do deal with people who are misled by false propaganda.

[MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] was correct the amount reported was lower as it was confirmed today MANY hundreds died outside the hospitals of Covid and weren't reported.

Always glad to hear from the medical profession [MENTION=21699]Pakpak[/MENTION].

 

[The Viper]

 

[MenInG]

The government press conference saw questions go to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, NHS England's Prof Stephen Powis, and Public Health England's Prof Yvonne Doyle. Here's what they told us:

The government is not going to "choose between" the economy and public health as this would be "self-defeating"

It accepts there will be an economic shock but expects the economy will see a "relatively swift bounce back". It thinks the cost of not taking drastic measures would be bigger than the cost of the borrowing it is doing

There is "no truth" in reports that PPE producers have been told to prioritise NHS England over other nations

The wage furlough scheme will open for applications around 20 April. There will be a delay of a few days between submitting applications and receiving cash, so the government can do a fraud check and other background work

 

[KingKhanWC]

It's called a gesture of goodwill in the time of a crisis, i fully understand you point bro, the past tory governments havecwrecked havoc on social cuts, be it nhs, or others

This was my point, the Tories are a joke of a party. Boris voted against pay rises for nurses and now I believe there should be a criminal investigation into this party. They have caused the deaths of many NHS staff, doctors and nurses.

I find it crazy people are taking this lightly and still clapping these clowns when their policies are causing deaths in huge numbers.
[MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] used to say UK has trident, UNSC member , blah blah but now we have Turkey sending us aid lol.

There is no Great in Britain anymore, time to change the name of the country.

 

[Manunited18]

This was my point, the Tories are a joke of a party. Boris voted against pay rises for nurses and now I believe there should be a criminal investigation into this party. They have caused the deaths of many NHS staff, doctors and nurses.

I find it crazy people are taking this lightly and still clapping these clowns when their policies are causing deaths in huge numbers.

[MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] used to say UK has trident, UNSC member , blah blah but now we have Turkey sending us aid lol.

There is no Great in Britain anymore, time to change the name of the country.

Yes but the past tory policys can't be dropped on the current lot they need to be given a chance, and the chancellor recently just before covidc19 announced a Hugh spending spree, unlike any previous Tory government i can remember, as for boris with his recent close encounter with death will bring home that nhs and it's staff are a Hugh priority as well as other social services and hence these services will be funded comprehensively going forward

 

[MenInG]

Heathrow Border Force officer dies after catching coronavirus

A UK Border Force officer who worked at Heathrow Airport has died after contracting coronavirus.

The unnamed man is thought to have died last week after feeling unwell at work.

The Public and Commercial Services Union has called for all officers to be equipped with protective equipment and described the situation as a "disgrace".

Elsewhere in the UK:

Wales' Health Minister Vaughan Gething has said he is sorry that 13,000 letters for people most vulnerable to coronavirus were mistakenly sent to the wrong addresses. More than 80,000 people are meant to get a "shielding letter".

More than £1.1bn has been handed to UK businesses through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has accepted assurances from the UK Government that suppliers of personal protective equipment (PPE) are not being ordered to prioritise the NHS in England over Scotland and Wales .

 

[The Viper]

UK coronavirus toll could be far higher than previously shown

The United Kingdom's true death toll from coronavirus far exceeds estimates previously published by the government, according to broader official data that include deaths in the community such as in nursing homes.

Even before the new figures, the official British death toll was the fifth-highest globally, and a senior scientific adviser to the government has said the country risks becoming the worst-hit in Europe.

On Tuesday, it was announced a further 778 people had died in the 24 hours to Monday evening in British hospitals after contracting coronavirus, making a total count of 12,107 people who had died of the virus in hospital since the outbreak began.

But figures released on Tuesday showed that number to be a vast under-counting of those who had died.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has included those who died in nursing homes in their tally, and said 5,979 people in England had died by April 3 with COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, mentioned on their death certificates - 15 percent more than the numbers published by the health service at that time.

"I am not remotely surprised there would be an undercounting," Bill Hanage, associate professor of epidemiology at Harvard's TH Chan School of Public Health, told Reuters.

"The UK hospital death toll that you are seeing - the one on the news each night - is a composite of things that have been trickling in over a period of time. It is not an exact number and does not include the numbers dying in places such as nursing homes."

The new numbers, which reflect both deaths caused primarily by COVID-19 and where it is mentioned as a factor, show how limited official data has been so far.

"That would give us a very different picture of where we are on the curve at the moment," said Al Jazeera's Charlie Angela, reporting from London. "At the moment, the government are saying we're about 10 days off the peak, but if those figures were to include the number of deaths in the community, it could paint a very different picture."

Public Health England Medical Director Yvonne Doyle said the government was working with the ONS to speed up the information.

"We just need to be absolutely clear that the cause of death that is attributed is correct and that is what takes time on the death certificate to get right," she said, adding the government hoped to produce more rapid data, preferably on a daily basis.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/thousands-died-uk-government-reporting-200414184316282.html

 

[MenInG]

Quarter of Scottish coronavirus deaths in care homes

A quarter of Scottish deaths linked to coronavirus have occurred in care homes, new figures suggest.

The National Records of Scotland (NRS) said 962 deaths had now been registered in Scotland where the virus was mentioned on the death certificate.

The majority of these deaths occurred in hospital, but 25% were in care homes and 13% in other settings.

 

[Rana]

UK Covid 19 Exit Strategy: Does the UK actually have a plan?

Since the outbreak, I have seen the UK go government just follow what other countries are doing and acting accordingly. They have not once demonstrated any initiative and clearly seem to have no plan.

We are into the 4th week of a 3 week lockdown, yet there has been no formal announcement of its extension. Also, no clear guidance of what they want to do. Italy and Spain, who the UK copy are announcing exit strategies. France, who the UK believe are on the same level with have announced a date on which they will begin the exit strategy by opening schools and universities.

Is the UK government the most clueless out of all the highly developed countries of the world?

 

[Manunited18]

Since the outbreak, I have seen the UK go government just follow what other countries are doing and acting accordingly. They have not once demonstrated any initiative and clearly seem to have no plan.

We are into the 4th week of a 3 week lockdown, yet there has been no formal announcement of its extension. Also, no clear guidance of what they want to do. Italy and Spain, who the UK copy are announcing exit strategies. France, who the UK believe are on the same level with have announced a date on which they will begin the exit strategy by opening schools and universities.

Is the UK government the most clueless out of all the highly developed countries of the world?

Uk are 2-3 weeks behind Italy, Spain, France, in the pandemic and also according to medical science weve still not hit the peak, so obvious solution is continue with the lock down. Until the infections and deaths dramatically decline Then theres no other way as the testing has been nothing short of a joke.

 

[Firebat]

That's out of order: Covidiot cricketers moan they are 'bored' as police break up their game while officers also confront jet skiers and driver is stopped with trampoline on her roof

Nineteen covidiots were stopped by Lancaster Police in Moor Park, Preston, for playing cricket during lockdown on Easter Monday.

They said they were 'bored' after being spotted by passerby Paul Winstanley, who filmed the cricketers.

The cricketers were given advice about social distancing rules by officers, but were not fined.

Some of the men are seen sitting on the ground clearly less than two metres apart.

Under coronavirus guidelines, group exercise is also outlawed.

Sports therapist Paul spotted them in Preston and tweeted: 'Seventeen people enjoying a game of cricket.

'How stupid can you be...idiots...'

Officers from Lancashire Police arrived shortly after Paul called 101.

It said on Twitter: 'Ourselves and colleagues from [MENTION=102920]lanc[/MENTION]sSpecials attended a report of several males playing cricket on Moor Park, Preston.

'Nineteen adult males who claimed to be 'bored' have been suitably advised regarding social distancing.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...-game-officers-confront-jet-skiers-punks.html

 

[Rana]

Uk are 2-3 weeks behind Italy, Spain, France, in the pandemic and also according to medical science weve still not hit the peak, so obvious solution is continue with the lock down. Until the infections and deaths dramatically decline Then theres no other way as the testing has been nothing short of a joke.

They are 2-3 weeks behind but their lockdown is even more a joke. It’s not a lockdown at all. Anyone can go and meet his friends without the Police doing anything. And why does the scientists keep saying that we are going through the peak now on the 5 PM briefing?

750 deaths three days on the trot. The peak is over and now we are on a plateau

 

[HitWicket]

They are 2-3 weeks behind but their lockdown is even more a joke. It’s not a lockdown at all. Anyone can go and meet his friends without the Police doing anything. And why does the scientists keep saying that we are going through the peak now on the 5 PM briefing?

750 deaths three days on the trot. The peak is over and now we are on a plateau

People are as free to go and visit their friends as they are in these other countries. Realistically the police won't be able to stop the majority of these (hopefully) very small amount of idiots.

When people talk about the peak they're generally referring to the amount of cases. When looking at the deaths it's probably better to look at a selection of days (maybe a 7 day moving average for example) given the obvious issue of what day a death gets associated with due to reporting differences.

 

[Abdullah719]

A further 761 people have died with coronavirus in UK hospitals over a 24-hour period, according to the latest government figures.

In total 12,868 deaths have been reported in hospitals across the country.

 

[Manunited18]

They are 2-3 weeks behind but their lockdown is even more a joke. It’s not a lockdown at all. Anyone can go and meet his friends without the Police doing anything. And why does the scientists keep saying that we are going through the peak now on the 5 PM briefing?

750 deaths three days on the trot. The peak is over and now we are on a plateau

For some reason the deaths that are reported at begining of week compared to back end of the week are lower, as we get closer to weekend they will rise again

 

[MenInG]

Northern Ireland lockdown extended by three weeks

Northern Ireland's lockdown is to be extended by three weeks, First Minister Arlene Foster has said.

New powers to enforce guidelines on people staying at home and businesses remaining closed came into force on 28 March.

The powers outlined by the first and deputy first ministers banned gatherings of more than two people and stipulated there should be reasonable excuses for leaving the home, such as obtaining necessities, seeking medical help and exercise.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said: "Lives are being saved by these measures."

 

[MenInG]

A further 761 people have died with coronavirus in UK hospitals over a 24-hour period, according to the latest government figures.

In total 12,868 deaths have been reported in hospitals across the country.

 

[Saj]

Coronavirus UK daily briefing - main headlines

The UK is to introduce a new social care brand to replicate the NHS blue badge for carers

"Priority drops" of protective equipment for care facilities will continue for three weeks while an online system is created

There will be new guidance to allow people to say goodbye to loved ones "where possible", the health secretary says

The lockdown is "having the impact we hoped", the UK's deputy chief scientific officer says

Different regions of the UK are expected to be on the same curve as London

The UK is expected to make its decision on whether to extend the lockdown after tomorrow's experts' meeting

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

The UK government is expected to announce a three-week extension to the coronavirus lockdown later today.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he did not want to "waste" the efforts of the public by lifting the lockdown measures too early, because coronavirus would "run rampant once again".
Hancock told BBC Breakfast there would be more detail in the official announcement but that the government had been clear it was "too early to make a change".
"Whilst we have seen a flattening of the number of cases, and thankfully a flattening of the number of deaths, that hasn't started to come down yet," he said.

 

[Firebat]

Coronavirus: Another 740 COVID-19 deaths in hospitals in England

Another 740 patients with coronavirus have died in hospitals in England.

NHS announced the increase, which takes the total in the country to 12,396.

Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty had warned of a possible spike in deaths from COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, today due to a probable lag in reporting over the Easter weekend.

Health authorities across the other home nations have also updated their hospital figures, which are collated at different times throughout the day and so may not tally up to the Department of Health's overall total.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced another 80 deaths in Scotland.

Wales has recorded 32 more deaths, and Northern Ireland recorded another 18.

In each country, the number of deaths now stands at:

England - 12,396
Scotland - 779
Wales - 495
Northern Ireland - 158
The Department of Health's total is expected to be released shortly.

However, it has now been well established that the UK's true COVID-19 death toll is far higher than the daily hospital figures would suggest.

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics suggested there were around 75% more coronavirus-related fatalities in England and Wales last month than previously reported by the government.

More than half of those happened in care homes, while others took place in people's homes and in hospices.

On Wednesday, the National Records of Scotland revealed that - as of 12 April - almost 25% of 962 registered deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned in the death certificate in Scotland had occurred in care homes.

With Professor Whitty having warned that the number of deaths will keep rising for some time to come, the UK is braced for an extension to its lockdown.

The lockdown has surpassed the original three-week timescale laid out by Prime Minister Boris Johnson last month; however, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told Sky News it will take time for the measures to be phased out.

He told Kay Burley@Breakfast: "It is too early to say now that we should remove the measures.

"People can see that while we may be reaching a peak the numbers aren't coming down yet."

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is deputising for Mr Johnson, and fellow ministers are expected to sign off the extension later today after receiving advice from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-another-740-covid-19-deaths-in-hospitals-in-england-11974044

 

[Firebat]

BREAKING: Another 861 COVID-19 deaths in UK hospitals takes total past 13,000

The number of coronavirus patients who have died in UK hospitals has gone past 13,000 after another 861 deaths.

The Department of Health announced the increase, which takes the total to 13,729.

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-another-740-covid-19-deaths-in-hospitals-in-england-11974044

 

[Firebat]

Coronavirus: Veteran, 99, raises £14m for NHS as he completes garden challenge

A 99-year-old war veteran who has raised more than £14m for the NHS by walking around his garden has now completed his challenge.

Captain Tom Moore, who turns 100 at the end of the month, smashed his original target to raise £1,000 for the NHS fighting COVID-19, by walking 100 lengths of his Bedfordshire garden.

After completing the challenge - with a guard of honour from the 1st Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment - he told Sky News that the response he has received has been "absolutely amazing", as he praised the NHS.

He said: "They're doing such a magnificent job and every day, they're putting themselves in danger, and they're doing it cheerfully and they're continuing to do that, and good for them."

After his final lap, Cpt Moore's achievement was trending on Twitter with many well-wishers offering their congratulations, describing him as "truly amazing and inspiring", a "legend", and "an extraordinary fundraiser".

The NHS posted "we salute you", while the Ministry of Defence called Cpt Moore "one of our own" as it thanked him for his efforts.

He has received multiple messages of thanks from NHS workers, sports personalities and politicians, and there are even calls for him to be knighted.

Cpt Moore told Sky News: "That makes me laugh, because I never ever anticipated such a thing - although I'm buzzing at the sound of Sir Thomas Moore, sounds quite good."

Dressed in a blazer and tie and displaying his war medals, he vowed to continue while the donations keep coming in.

Raised in Yorkshire, Mr Moore served in India, Burma and Sumatra during the Second World War, and said he had been inspired by the care he received from the NHS when he broke his hip and when he was treated for cancer.

He added: "With this invisible enemy that we've got, we've all got to look forward to the future when we've beaten this enemy.

"Whatever people think, we shall get better. Things will be better tomorrow."

Health Secretary Matt Hancock paid tribute to Mr Moore at the government's daily Downing Street news conference on Wednesday, calling him "an inspiration to us all".

After hearing the remarks, Mr Moore said: "I was absolutely amazed that somebody like him would talk to me.

"I mean he is such an important person in our government and for him to make a reference to me is great."

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavi...nhs-as-he-completes-garden-challenge-11973950

 

[MenInG]

UK lockdown measures extended

The UK's coronavirus lockdown measures will be extended for at least three more weeks, First Secretary of State Dominic Raab has announced.

 

[MenInG]

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says lockdown restrictions will continue for "at least" another three weeks

It comes as the UK recorded another 861 coronavirus deaths in hospital, taking the total to 13,729

The Treasury says loans to all medium-to-large firms will now be included in the government's £330bn ($411bn) coronavirus support package for the economy

Captain Tom Moore, a 99-year-old war veteran who walked 100 laps of his garden, has raised more than £17m for the NHS

The director of a large NHS trust has contacted the BBC asking for the phone numbers of Burberry and Barbour because he does not have enough gowns for his staff working on coronavirus wards

And plans to allow MPs to take part in some parliamentary business virtually have been approved
Article share tools

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

London buses will temporarily become middle-door only boarding from Monday in a bid to improve social distancing and protect drivers, says Transport for London (TfL).

Passengers will also not be required to "touch in" and have been told not to approach the card reader near the driver.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "I will continue to do whatever it takes to keep our heroic transport workers as safe as possible.

"But I would like to remind Londoners that you shouldn't be travelling by any mode of transport unless it is absolutely necessary, and public transport is only open for critical workers."

TfL said the measure will "add another layer of protection on top of the other robust safeguards in place".

 

[Firebat]

The “harsh reality” is that the UK was too slow on “a number of things” and will “probably have the highest death rates in Europe” says UCL’s Professor Anthony Costello.

 

[Firebat]

UK government: Do not book summer holidays

Downing St has said that government guidelines and official foreign office advice "do not allow for people going on holiday".

The prime minister's spokesman said that travelling within the UK for holidays was "not something which the current guidelines allow for" and Foreign Office advice "continues to be that you should go abroad for essential travel only".

Earlier Transport Secretary Grant Shapps suggested people should not book summer holidays for later this year.

 

[Firebat]

More flights to get Brits home from India

The government has announced it is arranging an extra 17 charter flights to bring a further 4,000 British nationals back home from India.

Jan Thompson, the acting high commissioner in Delhi, said the flights would leave from Amritsar, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Goa, Mumbai and Bangalore next week. The Foreign Office said the most vulnerable would be given priority for the flights, which would cost up to £591.

So far the UK has arranged the repatriation of about 5,000 Britons on 19 chartered flights.

Officials estimate there are still a further 15,000 Britons in India seeking to return after the country was subject to severe transport restrictions to combat Covid-19.

Ms Thompson said the existing waiting list was “large” and only those travellers who had previously registered with the High Commission were likely to get a seat on these latest charters.

But she acknowledged there would have to be future flights to continue returning one of the largest groups of UK nationals still stranded overseas.

Many UK travellers in India have expressed their frustration at the Foreign Office’s handling of the repatriation effort, which some have said was slow and lacking transparency compared with other countries.

 

[Firebat]

BREAKING: UK reports 847 more virus deaths

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As of 9am 17 April, 438,991 tests have concluded, with 21,328 tests on 16 April. <br><br>341,551 people have been tested of which 108,692 tested positive. <br><br>As of 5pm on 16 April, of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 14,576 have sadly died. <a href="https://t.co/BkOC0O9EUy">pic.twitter.com/BkOC0O9EUy</a></p>— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1251134956555907072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Slog]

This thread proves Pakistan is truly a land of Zaid Hamids!

[MENTION=2016]Rana[/MENTION] is British

 

[MenInG]

New cases in hospital 'becoming flat' - Vallance

Referencing the graph below, Sir Patrick says the number of new cases reported in hospital has "become flat" over the last few days.

"We would expect this to start decreasing in terms of total number of cases," he says.

Some areas using more transport than others - Vallance

Chief scientific adviser to the government, Sir Patrick Vallance, says there is a little bit of "unevenness" in transport usage across the country, especially where cases of the virus are lower than other areas.

"Don't think just because you haven't seen it near where you are, it may not be there," he tells the public.

 

[Saj]

The UK's opposition party has criticised what it sees as the government's unwillingness to discuss its lockdown exit strategy.

Speaking to the BBC earlier, the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "In other countries across Europe governments are openly talking about the exit plan.

"I don't think the British are uniquely unable to understand the difference between lockdown and what comes next."

He added: "The planning hasn't been as quick as it should have been... If mass community testing is part of the answer along with tracing, and it could well be, then testing has to be ramped up very, very fast.

"Decisions need to be made in the near future if we're going to have an effective exit strategy when we need it."

 

[Rajdeep]

Another 847 deaths today with close to 6k new cases. Even though cases are going down in other European countries....Birtain is unable to contain. Govt has been a massive failure.

 

[The Viper]

Former director at the World Health Organisation Anthony Costello says the UK should have learnt from countries like Italy and South Korea at the start of the coronavirus epidemic, but instead was "a bit blasé".

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is my exchange with ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/MattHancock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MattHancock</a>⁩ in which I ask him why UK airports remain open. It makes no sense to me - and I’m not sure from his response that it does to him either. &#55357;&#56391; <a href="https://t.co/vYofNlm5lq">pic.twitter.com/vYofNlm5lq</a></p>— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) <a href="https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/1251080617938366464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Another 847 deaths today with close to 6k new cases. Even though cases are going down in other European countries....Birtain is unable to contain. Govt has been a massive failure.

Think that 'herd immunity' thing turned out to be utter rubbish.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Another 847 deaths today with close to 6k new cases. Even though cases are going down in other European countries....Birtain is unable to contain. Govt has been a massive failure.

Inept and clueless government, which really doesnt care.

There are even reports Boris wasnt infected, hiding away so he isn't hated when this is over.

I can imagine many people will leave the UK for a better land, which is most of the developed world now.

 

[MenInG]

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says lockdown restrictions will continue for "at least" another three weeks

It comes as the UK recorded another 861 coronavirus deaths in hospital, taking the total to 13,729

The Treasury says loans to all medium-to-large firms will now be included in the government's £330bn ($411bn) coronavirus support package for the economy

Captain Tom Moore, a 99-year-old war veteran who walked 100 laps of his garden, has raised more than £17m for the NHS

The director of a large NHS trust has contacted the BBC asking for the phone numbers of Burberry and Barbour because he does not have enough gowns for his staff working on coronavirus wards

And plans to allow MPs to take part in some parliamentary business virtually have been approved
Article share tools

99-year-old army veteran Captain Tom Moore has raised more than £20m for the NHS by doing 100 laps of his garden

 

[Saj]

The situation in care homes in the UK is terrible:

A UK care home provider has told the BBC that 377 of its residents have sadly died with suspected or confirmed Covid-19.

HC-One says nearly 3,000 are now suspected or confirmed as having the virus. One member of staff has also died.

The provider, whose headquarters are in Darlington in north-east England, operates 328 care homes with 17,000 residents.

Earlier this week HC-One said there had been outbreaks in two thirds of its homes.

On Wednesday, the government promised to step up testing for coronavirus in care homes where symptoms of the virus have been found.

The pledge followed complaints from charities that older people were being "airbrushed" out of coronavirus death figures.

A spokesperson from HC-One said their thoughts and sympathies were with all those who had lost a loved one, adding: "We are proud of our colleagues and how they have risen to the challenge of the coronavirus outbreak by showing huge dedication and commitment to our residents."

 

[Rana]

Another 847 deaths today with close to 6k new cases. Even though cases are going down in other European countries....Birtain is unable to contain. Govt has been a massive failure.

This is incorrect. The man clearly sack that he expects a plateau in the numbers for a few days before they start going down gradually. Italy and Spain both had repetitive days when they were not dropping below 950 deaths a day. The numbers in ICU have dropped and are continuing to drop.

Lockdown will start to be eased after 4 weeks

 

[Manunited18]

This is incorrect. The man clearly sack that he expects a plateau in the numbers for a few days before they start going down gradually. Italy and Spain both had repetitive days when they were not dropping below 950 deaths a day. The numbers in ICU have dropped and are continuing to drop.

Lockdown will start to be eased after 4 weeks

Lock down will only ease when death rates dramatically reduce, infections dramatically reduce, when testing dramatically increases , conclusion lockdown seems no nearer now than it did at the start

 

[MenInG]

Some NHS trusts are going to run out of fully protective gowns within the next 24 to 48 hours, with thousands of doctors and nurses voicing concerns about inadequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE).

NHS Providers, which represents hospital trusts, says supplies of long-sleeved disposable fluid repellent gowns have been exhausted despite remaining stock being "carefully allocated" to the hospitals most in danger of running out.

On Friday, Public Health England changed its guidance - asking doctors and nurses to work without full-length gowns and to reuse items - but the updated stance has drawn criticism from several healthcare bodies.

The British Medical Association has warned that doctors and nurses should not be asked to "put their lives on the line" to save others, and said PHE's decision was "a further admission of the dire situation that some doctors and healthcare workers continue to find themselves in because of government failings".

Dr Rob Harwood, who chairs the BMA's consultants committee, said: "If it's being proposed that staff reuse equipment, this must be demonstrably driven by science and the best evidence - rather than availability - and it absolutely cannot compromise the protection of healthcare workers."

The Royal College of Nursing echoed these concerns and claimed it was not consulted about the change in guidance, adding it was "unacceptable" if PPE was not provided in a healthcare setting.

At least 50 NHS workers have now died after contracting coronavirus.

According to a BMA survey, approximately one third of doctors working in high-risk areas said they were sometimes pressurised to work without adequate protection.

Meanwhile, 50% of doctors who work in high-risk areas said there were shortages of long-sleeved disposable gowns and disposable goggles - or no supply at all. In the survey, 56% said the same regarding full-face visors.

One of the doctors surveyed said current levels of PPE left them feeling as though they were being "thrown to the wolves", with BMA council chairman Dr Chaand Nagpaul warning: "Too many doctors and healthcare staff have already lost their lives. We cannot afford to risk losing any more."

A separate survey by the Royal College of Nursing revealed that 50% of nursing staff have also felt pressure to work without appropriate PPE during the coronavirus crisis.

Of the 14,000 respondents, 12% said they had relied on face or eye protection that they had bought themselves or made at home, while just 54% said they believed they had an adequate supply of alcohol hand gel.

Just over half of those working in high-risk areas said they had been asked to reuse items of PPE that were marked as "single use" by manufacturers.

The Royal College of Nursing has previously urged its members to refuse to treat patients as a "last resort" if adequate PPE cannot be provided.

Public Health England's new guidance says PPE should be reused "until conformation of adequate resupply is in place", and that "some compromise is needed to optimise the supply of PPE in times of extreme shortages".

A previous recommendation that stipulated long-sleeved disposable fluid repellent gowns should be worn when treating COVID-19 patients was reversed.

If these gowns are not available, clinical staff are now being advised to wear "disposable, non-fluid repellent gowns or coveralls" or "washable surgical gowns" with aprons, and to wash their forearms afterwards.

Saffron Cordery, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, has said it is hoped the disruption was short-lived, and that gowns would start arriving "consistently and reliably rather than in the current fits and starts".

National leaders have told NHS Providers that the supply of aprons, fluid repellent masks, gloves and face masks "currently look fine".

The Welsh government has said that it currently does not anticipate any disruption to its PPE supplies.

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavi...lly-protective-gowns-within-24-hours-11975006

 

[Slog]

Inept and clueless government, which really doesnt care.

There are even reports Boris wasnt infected, hiding away so he isn't hated when this is over.

I can imagine many people will leave the UK for a better land, which is most of the developed world now.

He was in ICU just chilling?

 

[MenInG]

London, United Kingdom - As the lock clicked open and the heavy iron gate creaked towards him, Akil - not his real name - was surprised by how numb he felt. The freedom of which he had been dreaming for more than a year was finally here - but instead of elation, there was emptiness.

"I always thought I'd be really happy when it came to it, but I didn't feel anything … Just a bit confused about why me - why I was being let go," he says.

Minutes earlier, with a judge in court, solicitor at home and he in his single cell, Akil had been granted bail via video link. He was instructed to sign a document setting out the terms of his three-month release and then ordered to leave Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centre in Lincolnshire, eastern England.

Without an address of his own, Akil had no choice but to call his sister and ask to stay at her home until his temporary release comes to an end in July.

"I didn't really know where to go," he tells Al Jazeera. "No one asked me if I had anywhere to stay … I just got my stuff and walked out.

"If this had been a couple of months ago, I could've celebrated my freedom," he adds. "But now I'm just sitting around, can't see nobody, there's nothing going on."

Akil is one of more than 400 immigration centre detainees to be released as part of the United Kingdom government's plans to contain the spread of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus.

According to the Ministry of Justice, as of last week, 153 staff and prisoners had tested positive for coronavirus and 12 had died. Temporarily releasing detainees is seen as a way to prevent a further rise in the number of cases under the care of the state.

But charities are concerned that the Home Office has not fulfilled its obligation to accommodate all those released. They say without the necessary checks, many may become destitute upon release, or return to the crimes they were convicted of before incarceration.

"Releasing people to homelessness and destitution is wrong and unlawful," says Bella Sankey, director of charity Detention Action. "The Home Office has had months to consider its strategy. It was completely foreseeable that removals would not be possible and that people needed to be safely housed instead."

Emma Ginn, director of charity Medical Justice, agrees: "It is crucial the Home Office provides any detainee who is released with accommodation and support, so that they can comply with the requirements for social distancing and self-isolation."

The UK government has said it will review each individual's circumstances on a "case-by-case basis". Charities argue that, where reviews have been conducted, many detainees have not been informed of the outcome. They say some, like Akil, are being released by the tribunal following bail applications, or as a result of other legal action brought by lawyers, typically with medical evidence of vulnerability to contracting COVID-19.

Sidahmed, another detainee granted bail in late March, says the release process has been confused and arbitrary.

"I don't know why I was released and other people weren't," he says. "It's difficult to get bail for high-risk people usually, but maybe, because I know how the immigration services work I was allowed out."

He says communication with the Home Office during the release process and since he was freed has been limited. He is expected to return to London on July 1, but has had no information about what is required of him until then.

"All they said was 'If you change your address, you have to let us know'. That was it. No conversation or discussion about anything. I'll just have to wait to hear from them."

I didn't really know where to go. No one asked me if I had anywhere to stay … I just got my stuff and walked out.

Both Akil and Sidahmed believe their liberty has been granted in part to protect the government's reputation at a time of national crisis.

"The only reason they released me is because of this virus," says Akil. "It doesn't feel like I'm free for the right reasons. It's all just a way to make the Home Office look good."

Sidahmed adds: "It's just because it looks bad when people die, that's why they're letting us all free ... That's not normal for immigration services - I know them. They have no mercy, they let people suffer."

A spokesman for the UK Home Office told Al Jazeera: "The overwhelming majority of those detained are foreign national offenders, and we make no apology for trying to remove serious, violent and persistent criminals.

"Immigration Enforcement is responding to the unique circumstances of the coronavirus outbreak and following the latest guidance from Public Health England. The High Court recently ruled that the Home Office's approach to detention and the outbreak was sensible."

Detention is used only when absolutely necessary, with 95 percent of those liable to be detained already managed in the community, the Home Office further maintained, adding that all immigration removal centres have dedicated health facilities run by doctors and nurses which are managed by the National Health Service or appropriate providers.

But for those who remain in detention facilities, the lack of information is compounded by seeing other prisoners released.

Ebo, a detainee held at Harmondsworth immigration facility in southern England, has been assured of bail but has yet to secure a date for his hearing. He says the lack of information regarding the review process and the likelihood of coronavirus spreading has led to a rapid deterioration of his mental health:

"I'm very confused, stressed out and scared. Sometimes I feel so low I want to go to the office and smash everything up, but I know that would be a bad thing to do. I don't know what's going on … it gets to me."

Ebo says looking to the future also causes him significant distress.

"If they release me, I don't know where I'll go," he explains. "I can't go back to my family house because of my previous convictions, so I think I'll have to return to the place where I was using drugs. I don't want to go back there, but I don't have a choice. I need somewhere to sleep when I leave."

Campaigners believe continuing to incarcerate immigration detainees puts unnecessary strain on those who suffer from a range of complex psychological and physical conditions.

"Some detainees have self-harmed or made suicide attempts, and others have been distressed by witnessing fellow detainees self-harming," says Medical Justice's Emma Ginn.

"The fact that so many detainees cannot be removed from the UK during the global lockdown makes their indefinite detention in such perilous conditions seem incomprehensible, indefensible and just plain cruel."

But for those who have been released, the ongoing national lockdown has exacerbated fears surrounding the virus. Akil says he feels more at risk as a free man living at his sister's home than when he was imprisoned:

"I actually felt safer inside than outside. At least in detention I had healthcare, and there's more isolation - no one can come in, no one can go out. Now it's all different."

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/uk-frees-hundreds-immigration-detainees-200416205200648.html

 

[MenInG]

There will be no gun salutes to mark the Queen's 94th birthday on 21 April, as it is not thought to be appropriate during the coronavirus pandemic.

It is believed to be the first time in the Queen's 68-year reign that there has been no such birthday salute.

The monarch will celebrate the occasion privately, although there will be a social media post as normal.

It has already been announced that there will be no Trooping the Colour, a public celebration of her birthday, in June.

 

[Firebat]

Coronavirus: Captain Tom Moore passes £21m in NHS fundraising

A 99-year-old war veteran has been left "speechless" after raising more than £22m for the NHS.

Capt Tom Moore originally aimed to raise just £1,000 for NHS Charities Together by completing 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.

The Duke of Cambridge hailed him as a "one-man fundraising machine".

His daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore said: "There are no words left to say. We cannot believe people's generosity and he's just floored by it."

'A-list celebrity'
Ms Ingram-Moore continued: "We're all speechless. It's not even two weeks since this started. We're just working our socks off supporting him and this phenomenon.

"Yesterday we did 35 interviews and another 17 today but the Yorkshireman takes it all in his stride.

"He's become an A-list celebrity. I'm just the sidekick."

More than a million people have now made donations to his JustGiving page.

And more than half a million people have called for Capt Tom to be knighted in a petition to the Honours Committee.

The petition, which was set up earlier this week, has received more than 680,000 signatures after his efforts grabbed the nation's attention.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he is looking at ways to recognise his "heroic efforts".

As he finished the challenge on Thursday, having raised about £14m, Capt Tom said it was "an absolutely fantastic sum of money".

In a tweet, he said he would be doing "less walking" on Friday but would be talking to TV channels in the United States, Argentina, Europe and the Middle East.

Speaking to BBC Radio 2 he said the sum of money was "absolutely enormous" and "very difficult to imagine". He also thanked everyone who had donated for their support.

"I say thank you very much indeed. I appreciate it because the object for which we're donating is so important and so necessary... I think you're all so kind and thoughtful contributing to this cause," he said.

The total includes an undisclosed donation from the Duke of Cambridge, who, with the Duchess of Cambridge, recorded a special video message for the veteran.

Prince William said: "It's amazing and what I love also is that he's a 99-year-old war vet.

"He's been around a long time, he knows everything and it's wonderful that everyone has been inspired by his story and his determination.

"He's a one-man fundraising machine and God knows what the final total will be. But good on him, and I hope it keeps going."

In response, Capt Tom said: "It's absolutely amazing that my super prince can say something like that."

He also said it was "a moment we will never forget".

Capt Tom, who is originally from Keighley in West Yorkshire, has seemingly risen from nowhere to the status of near national treasure.

Keighley Town Council has tweeted that it will "honour the fundraising hero" with the freedom of the town.

Capt Tom began raising funds to thank NHS staff who helped him with treatment for cancer and a broken hip.

With the aid of a walking frame, he completed 100 laps of the 25-metre (82ft) loop in his garden in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, in 10-lap chunks well before his birthday on 30 April.

NHS Charities Together said it was "truly inspired and humbled" by his efforts.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-52333127

 

[Firebat]

Fears 7,500 residents have died in UK care homes

The number of coronavirus victims in Britain's care homes could be as high as 7,500, five times more than the official estimate, the sector's main charity has warned.

"Without testing, it is very difficult to give an absolute figure," Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, told The Daily Telegraph.

"However, if we look at some of the death rates since April 1 and compare them with previous years' rates, we estimate a figure of about 7,500 people may have died as a result of Covid-19."

The figure is more than five times higher than the estimate of 1,400 suggested by the government earlier this week.

Britain's official coronavirus toll currently stands at 14,576, although that only includes deaths recorded in hospitals.

 

[Firebat]

Daily update: UK government's latest figures on virus deaths

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As of 9am 18 April, 460,437 tests have concluded, with 21,389 tests on 17 April. <br><br>357,023 people have been tested of which 114,217 tested positive. <br><br>As of 5pm on 17 April, of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 15,464 have sadly died. <a href="https://t.co/yZmas1wSvS">pic.twitter.com/yZmas1wSvS</a></p>— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1251496859606167552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick is delivering the latest UK government coronavirus briefing
Councils in England are to get an extra £1.6bn in funding to help them deal with the pandemic
The minister said it was "heartbreaking" as the UK coronavirus death toll rose above 15,000

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

 

[KingKhanWC]

He was in ICU just chilling?

Read the reports, it's not something I made public to the world.

 

[HitWicket]

Read the reports, it's not something I made public to the world.

No but you're spreading reports from a satirical blog post as real facts...

 

[James]

The PM was definitely very ill. This has been documented by eyewitness accounts, and every press outlet from London to Moscow has verified it. The only sources of the “hiding from the media / taking a confidential holiday” conspiracy theories have been the usual suspects on Twitter.

However the fact that Boris was very ill (and is now thankfully better) doesn’t mean that he gets a free pass on public scrutiny. Over 15,000 people have died in hospitals of the virus, and perhaps up to a further 7,500 have died in care homes since the pandemic started as well.

There were always going to be a lot of deaths, because this is a serious disease, but even then these are shocking figures and we have the right to demand much better standards of performance from our government.

 

[KingKhanWC]

No but you're spreading reports from a satirical blog post as real facts...

I wrote there are reports, not the fact is .... Try to read more carefully.

Labour MP tweeted it and deleted it after. Conspiracy or not , the point was simple, these politicians are liars esp Boris and him being ill or not wont change this.

 

[HitWicket]

I wrote there are reports, not the fact is .... Try to read more carefully.

Labour MP tweeted it and deleted it after. Conspiracy or not , the point was simple, these politicians are liars esp Boris and him being ill or not wont change this.

I feel like mentioning the fact it all originates from a report that is satirical is pretty important when saying there are reports.

 

[KingKhanWC]

I feel like mentioning the fact it all originates from a report that is satirical is pretty important when saying there are reports.

Report was papers quoting the MP. Not sure what your gripe is. I dont believe he was not ill, again pointing out people do not trust governments in the UK.

I feel like mentioning you still think WMDs exist in Iraq. Move on.

 

[Slog]

Read the reports, it's not something I made public to the world.

If I put a tweet out saying KKWC is an orangutan and then another poster herw says 'according to reports, KKWC is an orangutan" then suddenly it does not become something people should be quoting to make an argument.

 

[Robert]

If I put a tweet out saying KKWC is an orangutan and then another poster herw says 'according to reports, KKWC is an orangutan" then suddenly it does not become something people should be quoting to make an argument.

Wait.... KKWC is an orangutan?

 

[bones]

People started to get fed up of the lockdown, have seen 3 BBQs on our road this week with people calling their extended families over. One of the neighbours I spoke to about it said and I quote “don’t give a damn”. He’s struggling with his business, doesn’t think he’ll be able to keep it post lockdown so this is a good way to keep himself and family from depression. Asked about virus spreading and he said if he gets it he gets it.

Interesting that another neighbour I spoke to said he thinks his son might have had it based on the symptoms, but he decided not to call the ambulance because he was not going to let his boy die alone if it got worse. The boy recovered after a week of extreme pain - he has asthma.

 

[bones]

I can already see the changes in people’s attitudes, more and more people talking about their business than before. Before it was just the virus, but now it’s not. Lockdown won’t last much longer, the pressure will be too much.

 

[MenInG]

New data has added to growing evidence that the number of deaths linked to coronavirus in UK care homes may be far higher than those recorded so far.

The National Care Forum (NCF) estimates that more than 4,000 elderly and disabled people have died across all residential and nursing homes.

Its report comes amid calls for accurate data on virus-linked deaths.

Only 217 such care home deaths have been officially recorded in England and Wales up to 3 April.

Separately, analysis from Care England, which represents large care home providers in England, claims that there have been 7,500 more deaths in care home - from all causes - in the last two weeks than would be expected at this time of year.

 

[Saj]

UK Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has said that "no decision" has been made as to when schools might reopen.

The minister tweeted on Sunday morning: "I can reassure schools and parents that they will only reopen when the scientific advice indicates it is the right time to do so."

Schools across the UK were closed last month to all pupils except the children of key workers, such as doctors, nurses and delivery drivers, some vulnerable children and those with more serious special educational needs.

 

[Saj]

Michael Gove has said that reports the UK is looking to gradually lift some lockdown restrictions, such as re-opening schools and allowing some small social gatherings, are "not correct".

"It would be wrong to get ahead of ourselves here," the senior minister told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday, insisting the country must maintain the current measures until death rates begin to fall.

He said the facts and advice were "clear" that we should not be lifting the restrictions yet.