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UK coronavirus live: London hospitals seeing 'continuous tsunami' of patients, says NHS leader UK coronavirus live: London hospitals seeing 'continuous tsunami' of patients, says NHS leader
(32 minutes later)
Rolling coverage of all the latest UK coronavirus developmentsRolling coverage of all the latest UK coronavirus developments
More than 1,000 people have contacted MPs to raise concerns about being told to continue travelling into work despite the government’s plea for them to stay at home.
Office and call centre workers, TV engineers, and estate agents are among the workers who have replied to an appeal for information by the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy committee (BEIS).
Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves, who chairs the committee said:
While we await confirmation of the government’s plan to pay the self-employed whose incomes have collapsed during the virus outbreak, the Royal Society of Arts has run the numbers and thinks the chancellor’s widely trailed strategy is not as effective as it could be.Rishi Sunak, who has said working out a solution for the self-employed has been “extremely complicated”, is expected to offer the self-employed payments equivalent to 80% of their earnings over the last three years up to £30k. But the RSA thinks a temporary basic income of £1,500 initially to help manage immediate cashflow, followed by a weekly payment of £100 per week for three months would leave more people better off. It says:
Anthony Painter, the thinktank’s chief research officer, added:
Members of the public are being urged to take part in a national round of applause for NHS employees at 8pm this evening.
The Clap for our Carers campaign is trying to get as many people as possible to take part in the event from their gardens, front doors, balconies and windows to show their appreciation and support for health workers.
A group of youths spat in the face of an RSPCA officer and shouted “have corona bitch”, as she tried to rescue a swan, the animal charity have said.
Leanne Honess-Heather was helping the bird, which had become tangled in a fishing line, when five teenagers – aged around 16 – approached her close to Rush Lyvars Fishing Lake in Hedon, Hull.
Honess-Heather said she asked them to stand back before the “really upsetting” incident occurred.
“They seemed to take offence to this, which led to two of the group spitting directly into my face, going in my mouth and eyes, as they yelled ‘have corona bitch’ at me,” she said.
“Like many other frontline services, most of my team are still out during this crisis, trying our best to continue to do our job, tending to, collecting and rescuing injured animals.”
The swan, which had no long-term injuries after being cut free from the line, was released after being checked over by a vet.
The RSPCA is providing an emergency-only service to animals during the coronavirus pandemic.
The NHS in Wales has issued around 3.5m extra pieces of PPE (personal protective equipment) to staff from its pandemic supplies, the chief executive of NHS Wales, Dr Andrew Goodall, said. This includes face-masks, gloves and clothing.The NHS in Wales has issued around 3.5m extra pieces of PPE (personal protective equipment) to staff from its pandemic supplies, the chief executive of NHS Wales, Dr Andrew Goodall, said. This includes face-masks, gloves and clothing.
Goodall told a press conference in Cardiff this had gone to hospitals, GP surgeries and social care workers.Goodall told a press conference in Cardiff this had gone to hospitals, GP surgeries and social care workers.
The Welsh chief medical officer, Dr Frank Atherton, said PPE was a “scarce resource” and added: “We can’t afford to misuse it.”The Welsh chief medical officer, Dr Frank Atherton, said PPE was a “scarce resource” and added: “We can’t afford to misuse it.”
Atherton said that from tomorrow 800 people in Wales would be tested for Covid-19 a day. This would increase to 1,100 by next week and from 2-3,000 by the end of April. Atherton said that from tomorrow 800 people a day in Wales would be tested for Covid-19. This would increase to 1,100 by next week and from 2,000-3,000 by the end of April.
Atherton also re-stated that most people would get the virus. “The estimates were and still are that 80% of us will get the infection at some point,” he said. Atherton also restated that most people would get the virus. “The estimates were and still are that 80% of us will get the infection at some point,” he said.
The Mayor of London’s press office has said early-morning tube use was down by another 13% on Thursday compared to yesterday, while early-morning bus usage in the capital was down by a further 8%. The mayor of London’s press office has said early-morning tube use was down by another 13% on Thursday compared with yesterday, while early-morning bus usage in the capital was down by a further 8%.
It added that compared to this time last year, tube passengers were down by a whopping 92%. It added that compared with this time last year, tube passengers were down by a whopping 92%.
In the comments some readers have been asking about the fact that the government released the UK coronavirus death figures yesterday much later than usual, and that the increase on the previous day (41) was much lower than the previous day’s increase (87).In the comments some readers have been asking about the fact that the government released the UK coronavirus death figures yesterday much later than usual, and that the increase on the previous day (41) was much lower than the previous day’s increase (87).
According to Newsnight’s Nicholas Watt, that is because the government is changing the way it is compiling the figures.According to Newsnight’s Nicholas Watt, that is because the government is changing the way it is compiling the figures.
The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital is asking for donations of food, drink and toiletries for its workforce during the coronavirus outbreak. The Royal Manchester children’s hospital is asking for donations of food, drink and toiletries for its workforce during the coronavirus outbreak.
Requested donations from the hospital’s charity include tea, coffee, snacks, deodorant and toothpaste for those who may have to sleep over.Requested donations from the hospital’s charity include tea, coffee, snacks, deodorant and toothpaste for those who may have to sleep over.
The supplies will go to those working around the clock at the children’s hospital, as well as Manchester Royal Infirmary, Wythenshawe Hospital and Trafford General. The supplies will go to those working around the clock at the children’s hospital, as well as Manchester Royal Infirmary, Wythenshawe hospital and Trafford general hospital.
A statement posted on the charity’s website said: “We are calling on businesses across our region to donate specific items to support the wellbeing of our committed NHS workforce during these unprecedented times.A statement posted on the charity’s website said: “We are calling on businesses across our region to donate specific items to support the wellbeing of our committed NHS workforce during these unprecedented times.
“Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital is part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. Our Trust is one of the largest in the country, with more than 20,000 staff working across nine hospitals and community services across the City of Manchester and Trafford. We are all working together to make sure our extended hospital family can continue to care for yours.” “Royal Manchester children’s hospital is part of Manchester University NHS foundation trust. Our trust is one of the largest in the country, with more than 20,000 staff working across nine hospitals and community services across the City of Manchester and Trafford. We are all working together to make sure our extended hospital family can continue to care for yours.”
They asked those who could donate items to contact the charity on 0161 276 4522 or charity.office@mft.nhs.uk.They asked those who could donate items to contact the charity on 0161 276 4522 or charity.office@mft.nhs.uk.
John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, is saying that the Treasury employment support package for the self-employed being announced by the government this afternoon must include measures that can be delivered quickly. In a statement he said:John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, is saying that the Treasury employment support package for the self-employed being announced by the government this afternoon must include measures that can be delivered quickly. In a statement he said:
As McDonnell knows, the Treasury is unlikely to be able to meet this condition. In the Commons on Tuesday, Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, said that although he planned to announce a scheme for the self-employed this week, implementing it would take longer because it might require a new system to be constructed.As McDonnell knows, the Treasury is unlikely to be able to meet this condition. In the Commons on Tuesday, Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, said that although he planned to announce a scheme for the self-employed this week, implementing it would take longer because it might require a new system to be constructed.
According to a preview in today’s Times, the scheme being announced today is likely to be targeted at those who earn less than £50,000 a year. The Times (paywall) reports:According to a preview in today’s Times, the scheme being announced today is likely to be targeted at those who earn less than £50,000 a year. The Times (paywall) reports:
But the Sun has had a different steer. It reports:But the Sun has had a different steer. It reports:
Before the announcement, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has published a briefing explaining why the self-employed are particularly vulnerable. It says:Before the announcement, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has published a briefing explaining why the self-employed are particularly vulnerable. It says:
A rise in the number of domestic abuse incidents during the lockdown has already been observed, according to a Greater Manchester police leader.A rise in the number of domestic abuse incidents during the lockdown has already been observed, according to a Greater Manchester police leader.
Beverley Hughes, the deputy mayor for policing and crime, said there had been cases of abuse linked to the coronavirus outbreak and the force was anticipating more serious incidents.Beverley Hughes, the deputy mayor for policing and crime, said there had been cases of abuse linked to the coronavirus outbreak and the force was anticipating more serious incidents.
Speaking during an online press conference with the region’s Covid-19 emergency committee, Lady Hughes said:Speaking during an online press conference with the region’s Covid-19 emergency committee, Lady Hughes said:
She added that Greater Manchester police had also noted a small rise in the number of hate crimes.She added that Greater Manchester police had also noted a small rise in the number of hate crimes.
Rick Stein has refused to to pay his workers’ wages for over a month while his restaurants are closed, according to the Daily Mail.Rick Stein has refused to to pay his workers’ wages for over a month while his restaurants are closed, according to the Daily Mail.
The Mail reports that the celebrity chef and TV presenter told staff across the 14 sites they would not be paid until the end of April when the government is scheduled to pay wage subsidies to businesses that have shut down.The Mail reports that the celebrity chef and TV presenter told staff across the 14 sites they would not be paid until the end of April when the government is scheduled to pay wage subsidies to businesses that have shut down.
The news comes after Gordon Ramsay came under fire for laying off more than 500 staff members at his string of restaurants amid the coronavirus crisis.The news comes after Gordon Ramsay came under fire for laying off more than 500 staff members at his string of restaurants amid the coronavirus crisis.
The proximity of south-east Wales to the English border is believed to be one of the reasons behind a cluster of Covid-19 cases there, the Welsh chief medical officer has said.The proximity of south-east Wales to the English border is believed to be one of the reasons behind a cluster of Covid-19 cases there, the Welsh chief medical officer has said.
Frank Atherton added that there may be more cases in the area because more testing has been done there. He said: “As the epidemic unfolds, there will be areas that will flare up and calm down.”Frank Atherton added that there may be more cases in the area because more testing has been done there. He said: “As the epidemic unfolds, there will be areas that will flare up and calm down.”
Atherton was responding to a warning by Dr Sarah Aitken, the director of public health at the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.Atherton was responding to a warning by Dr Sarah Aitken, the director of public health at the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.
There have been 309 cases in board’s area compared with 628 for the whole of Wales. There have been 309 cases in the board’s area compared with 628 for the whole of Wales.
Asked about Aitken’s warning at a Welsh government press conference on Thursday morning, Atherton said: “It is closer to England. The hot spot in the UK is around London and so being on the border with England is an issue. The second reason is there has been a lot more testing in that health board. The fact that we have been doing more testing has led to an increase in the number of cases identified.Asked about Aitken’s warning at a Welsh government press conference on Thursday morning, Atherton said: “It is closer to England. The hot spot in the UK is around London and so being on the border with England is an issue. The second reason is there has been a lot more testing in that health board. The fact that we have been doing more testing has led to an increase in the number of cases identified.
“The virus is circulating in all parts of Wales. At the moment it may be circulating to a higher degree in south Wales but that may change over time.”“The virus is circulating in all parts of Wales. At the moment it may be circulating to a higher degree in south Wales but that may change over time.”
The Department for Work and Pensions has published a report today (pdf) on households living in poverty, looking at the trends going up to 2018-19. Its headline finding is that “median household income before housing costs (BHC) decreased slightly between 2017/18 and 2018/19 and was flat after housing costs”.The Department for Work and Pensions has published a report today (pdf) on households living in poverty, looking at the trends going up to 2018-19. Its headline finding is that “median household income before housing costs (BHC) decreased slightly between 2017/18 and 2018/19 and was flat after housing costs”.
Pascale Bourquin, a researcher at the Institute for Fiscal Studies who has published an analysis of the figures (pdf), said:Pascale Bourquin, a researcher at the Institute for Fiscal Studies who has published an analysis of the figures (pdf), said:
Co-op has announced new measures to enforce social distancing in its stores.Co-op has announced new measures to enforce social distancing in its stores.
The retailer has introduced tactics including floor markers which will define a one-metre distance throughout the store, and two-metre spacing for customer queues across its 2,600 stores.The retailer has introduced tactics including floor markers which will define a one-metre distance throughout the store, and two-metre spacing for customer queues across its 2,600 stores.
It will also aim to limit the number of customers in stores at any one time as well as reducing the number of tills open, to encourage greater distance between shoppers.It will also aim to limit the number of customers in stores at any one time as well as reducing the number of tills open, to encourage greater distance between shoppers.
Chris Whitfield, the Co-op’s chief operating officer, said: “The safety and wellbeing of our colleagues is our priority and we fully support the need for social distancing.Chris Whitfield, the Co-op’s chief operating officer, said: “The safety and wellbeing of our colleagues is our priority and we fully support the need for social distancing.
“We have introduced a number of measures in store, which will be reviewed on a daily basis, and we thank our customers for their understanding and support.”“We have introduced a number of measures in store, which will be reviewed on a daily basis, and we thank our customers for their understanding and support.”