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| Coronavirus: Boris Johnson delivers first daily update | Coronavirus: Boris Johnson delivers first daily update |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Boris Johnson is outlining the next steps in the UK's plan to fight coronavirus at the first of a series of daily news conferences. | Boris Johnson is outlining the next steps in the UK's plan to fight coronavirus at the first of a series of daily news conferences. |
| The briefing was expected to have details about steps the government may take to protect elderly and vulnerable people. | The briefing was expected to have details about steps the government may take to protect elderly and vulnerable people. |
| The over-70s have been told they are allowed to go out for walks when their period of staying at home begins. | The over-70s have been told they are allowed to go out for walks when their period of staying at home begins. |
| The first person in Wales to die with Covid-19 brings the UK total to 36. | The first person in Wales to die with Covid-19 brings the UK total to 36. |
| Most of those who have died in the UK have been people over the age of 60 with underlying health conditions. | Most of those who have died in the UK have been people over the age of 60 with underlying health conditions. |
| The total number of people in the UK to test positive for the virus has risen by 171 in a day to a total of 1,543, according to the latest Department of Health figures. The latest cases include 30 more from Wales and 18 in Scotland. | The total number of people in the UK to test positive for the virus has risen by 171 in a day to a total of 1,543, according to the latest Department of Health figures. The latest cases include 30 more from Wales and 18 in Scotland. |
| More than 44,000 people have been tested in the UK. People self-isolating with mild symptoms are no longer being tested - the government said tests are primarily being given to hospital patients with respiratory problems, and to people in residential or care facilities experiencing outbreaks. | More than 44,000 people have been tested in the UK. People self-isolating with mild symptoms are no longer being tested - the government said tests are primarily being given to hospital patients with respiratory problems, and to people in residential or care facilities experiencing outbreaks. |
| But on Monday the head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said not enough tests were being carried out. | |
| "We have a simple message for all countries: test, test, test," he said - adding that the WHO has sent out almost 1.5 million tests to 120 countries. | "We have a simple message for all countries: test, test, test," he said - adding that the WHO has sent out almost 1.5 million tests to 120 countries. |
| Daily news conferences will be led by the prime minister or senior ministers, alongside Prof Chris Whitty, the government's chief medical adviser, and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance. | Daily news conferences will be led by the prime minister or senior ministers, alongside Prof Chris Whitty, the government's chief medical adviser, and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance. |
| It follows criticism of No 10 for an apparent lack of transparency over its plans to stem the spread of the virus, which causes the disease Covid-19. | It follows criticism of No 10 for an apparent lack of transparency over its plans to stem the spread of the virus, which causes the disease Covid-19. |
| Downing Street said the government was committed to keeping the public informed and would be led by science. | Downing Street said the government was committed to keeping the public informed and would be led by science. |
| Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that over-70s who will soon be asked to stay at home for an extended period would still be able to go for a walk outside. | Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that over-70s who will soon be asked to stay at home for an extended period would still be able to go for a walk outside. |
| "It's about being sensible but not mixing in crowds," he said. | "It's about being sensible but not mixing in crowds," he said. |
| And the BBC has said it will delay changes to the TV licence for the over-75s until August. Director General Tony Hall said it was important the corporation served the public "at this difficult time". | And the BBC has said it will delay changes to the TV licence for the over-75s until August. Director General Tony Hall said it was important the corporation served the public "at this difficult time". |
| Monday's meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee, chaired by Mr Johnson, included discussions on how to protect the elderly and vulnerable and whether to ban mass gatherings. | Monday's meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee, chaired by Mr Johnson, included discussions on how to protect the elderly and vulnerable and whether to ban mass gatherings. |
| Health Secretary Matt Hancock said details of emergency legislation giving the government more powers to deal with the virus will be revealed on Tuesday. | Health Secretary Matt Hancock said details of emergency legislation giving the government more powers to deal with the virus will be revealed on Tuesday. |
| Hotels could be converted to makeshift hospitals and private hospitals could be called on to boost NHS bed numbers. | Hotels could be converted to makeshift hospitals and private hospitals could be called on to boost NHS bed numbers. |
| The government has asked any firms which may be able to help to produce ventilator machines for use in hospitals to get in touch. | The government has asked any firms which may be able to help to produce ventilator machines for use in hospitals to get in touch. |
| Most schools across the UK remained open on Monday, despite blanket closures in countries such as Spain, France and Ireland. | Most schools across the UK remained open on Monday, despite blanket closures in countries such as Spain, France and Ireland. |
| Some decided to close, however, and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is due to meet head teachers to discuss their concerns. | Some decided to close, however, and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is due to meet head teachers to discuss their concerns. |
| Some universities have halted classes and moved all their lectures online while the National Education Union has said it is "unacceptable" for Ofsted inspections to go ahead during the pandemic. | Some universities have halted classes and moved all their lectures online while the National Education Union has said it is "unacceptable" for Ofsted inspections to go ahead during the pandemic. |
| From Tuesday, face-to-face assessments for sickness and disability welfare payments will be suspended for three months. | From Tuesday, face-to-face assessments for sickness and disability welfare payments will be suspended for three months. |
| The suspension will apply to claimants of personal independence payments, employment and support allowance, some on Universal Credit and people on industrial injuries schemes. | The suspension will apply to claimants of personal independence payments, employment and support allowance, some on Universal Credit and people on industrial injuries schemes. |
| The fallout from the pandemic has begun to hit industry. Key developments include: | The fallout from the pandemic has begun to hit industry. Key developments include: |
| Mr Shapps told BBC Breakfast that good companies "shouldn't be put out of business" due to a downturn caused by the virus. | Mr Shapps told BBC Breakfast that good companies "shouldn't be put out of business" due to a downturn caused by the virus. |
| He will meet airline leaders and discuss potential financial support for businesses with Chancellor Rishi Sunak. | He will meet airline leaders and discuss potential financial support for businesses with Chancellor Rishi Sunak. |
| A Public Health England (PHE) briefing, reported by the Guardian, warned the epidemic could last until spring 2021 and put 7.9 million people in hospital. | A Public Health England (PHE) briefing, reported by the Guardian, warned the epidemic could last until spring 2021 and put 7.9 million people in hospital. |
| Downing Street said the PHE briefing outlined a reasonable worst-case scenario. | Downing Street said the PHE briefing outlined a reasonable worst-case scenario. |
| In other key updates: | In other key updates: |
| What questions do you have about coronavirus? Let us know and a selection will be answered by a BBC journalist. | What questions do you have about coronavirus? Let us know and a selection will be answered by a BBC journalist. |
| Use this form to ask your question: | Use this form to ask your question: |