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UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson remains in hospital 'for observation' after 'comfortable night' UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson remains in hospital 'for observation' after 'comfortable night'
(32 minutes later)
Downing Street does not deny prime minister received oxygen treatment as cabinet meeting on Tuesday postponedDowning Street does not deny prime minister received oxygen treatment as cabinet meeting on Tuesday postponed
The Scottish government has confirmed that 222 people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland have died.
Boris Johnson has tweeted that he is in “good spirits” after his hospital tests. He says he is in touch with his team.
A mass antibody test is at least a month away, a leading Government scientific adviser has said.
Professor Sir John Bell, from Oxford University, who advises the Government on life sciences, said the search was on for an antibody test that would prove effective, but those tested so far had failed.
Oxford is involved in scrutinising antibody tests that can tell people whether they have had the virus and can get back to normal life - one of the key routes out of the UK’s current lockdown.
In a blog on the university website under the header “What next?”, Prof Bell said:
Prof Bell said “large-scale testing” was a government strategy “which will be crucial for getting us back to our normal lives in the coming months”.He explained that long-term protection to Covid-19 comes from antibodies - “small proteins produced by your immune system that attack the virus and neutralise it”.
Prof Bell added: “These antibodies emerge during an infection and peak 28 days after the infection. They then remain for months afterwards continuing to provide protection, and the cells that produce them also are available to fight off the infection if it returns.”
Readers have been in touch to say to point out that large numbers of people were not flouting physical distancing measures in Brockwell Park, south London on Saturday.
Chris Tryhorn writes:
Another reader, who did not want to be named, said:
Tony Lloyd, 70, the Labour MP for Rochdale, has been taken to hospital in Manchester with coronavirus, ITV’s Hannah Miller reports.Tony Lloyd, 70, the Labour MP for Rochdale, has been taken to hospital in Manchester with coronavirus, ITV’s Hannah Miller reports.
A Covid-19 testing centre at Cardiff City’s stadium is due to open on Tuesday. At the Welsh government’s press conference, first minister Mark Drakeford said initially more than 200 tests a day would be carried out there. Lloyd is still the shadow Northern Ireland secretary.
The first key workers to be tested will be from the Gwent area, which has been a virus hotspot so far. Police officers and care home workers as well as NHS staff will be tested. A Covid-19 testing centre at Cardiff City’s stadium is due to open on Tuesday. At the Welsh government’s press conference, the first minister, Mark Drakeford, said initially more than 200 tests a day would be carried out there.
Drakeford said 1,100 tests were now being carried out. By mid April 5,000 tests a day procured by the Welsh government will be carried out. Another 4,000 will be drawn down from the UK-wide provision. The first key workers to be tested will be from the Gwent area, which has been a virus hot spot so far. Police officers and care home workers as well as NHS staff will be tested.
Drakeford said 1,100 tests were now being carried out. By mid-April 5,000 tests a day procured by the Welsh government will be carried out. Another 4,000 will be drawn down from the UK-wide provision.
The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, has said he believes the lockdown will have to continue beyond Easter.The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, has said he believes the lockdown will have to continue beyond Easter.
He said: “Everything that I have seen so far suggests to me that it would be foolish to throw away the enormous effort that everyone has made by simply removing the constraints we have been living under at that point. Everything I have seen suggests to me a further period of constraint will be necessary.”He said: “Everything that I have seen so far suggests to me that it would be foolish to throw away the enormous effort that everyone has made by simply removing the constraints we have been living under at that point. Everything I have seen suggests to me a further period of constraint will be necessary.”
Drakeford called for Cobra to meet soon to review the regulations. He said: “It’s important the four governments of the UK come together to consider the evidence and decide the best way forward together.”Drakeford called for Cobra to meet soon to review the regulations. He said: “It’s important the four governments of the UK come together to consider the evidence and decide the best way forward together.”
He added there were signs that the lockdown was beginning to take effect but warned: “We know that things are likely to get worse before they get better.”He added there were signs that the lockdown was beginning to take effect but warned: “We know that things are likely to get worse before they get better.”
Drakeford said police in north and west Wales had reported some concern about people travelling to second homes over the warm weekend. “That is not essential travel,” he told a press conference in Cardiff.Drakeford said police in north and west Wales had reported some concern about people travelling to second homes over the warm weekend. “That is not essential travel,” he told a press conference in Cardiff.
But he also said: “I want to thank the thousands and thousands of people right across Wales who continue to follow the rules.”But he also said: “I want to thank the thousands and thousands of people right across Wales who continue to follow the rules.”
Johnson’s chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, is yet to return to work in Downing Street but remains in communication with officials, a spokesman said.Johnson’s chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, is yet to return to work in Downing Street but remains in communication with officials, a spokesman said.
“He is not back in No 10 today. He is in contact with No 10,” the prime minister’s official spokesman said.“He is not back in No 10 today. He is in contact with No 10,” the prime minister’s official spokesman said.
Cummings was last seen in public running out of Downing Street shortly after Johnson announced he had tested positive for coronavirus.Cummings was last seen in public running out of Downing Street shortly after Johnson announced he had tested positive for coronavirus.
During that Downing Street briefing, the spokesman also said 16,000 tests were conducted on Sunday, including 1,000 for NHS workers and their families.During that Downing Street briefing, the spokesman also said 16,000 tests were conducted on Sunday, including 1,000 for NHS workers and their families.
That is still way behind the 100,000 a day testing target set for the end of April by Matt Hancock, the health secretary. It is also way below the 25,000 tests Boris Johnson promised on 18 March.That is still way behind the 100,000 a day testing target set for the end of April by Matt Hancock, the health secretary. It is also way below the 25,000 tests Boris Johnson promised on 18 March.
The Protestant Orange Order has cancelled its annual Twelfth of July celebrations for only the third time since the 18th century.The Protestant Orange Order has cancelled its annual Twelfth of July celebrations for only the third time since the 18th century.
Sixteen Orange parades in Northern Ireland and one in the Irish Republic will not go ahead this year. The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said the cancellations were “in the best interests of our members, their families and the wider community”.Sixteen Orange parades in Northern Ireland and one in the Irish Republic will not go ahead this year. The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said the cancellations were “in the best interests of our members, their families and the wider community”.
Since its formation at the end of the 1800s the Orange Order’s parades marking the victory of Prince William of Orange against the Catholic forces of James II at the Battle of Boyne have only been called off twice before: during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 and during the second world war.Since its formation at the end of the 1800s the Orange Order’s parades marking the victory of Prince William of Orange against the Catholic forces of James II at the Battle of Boyne have only been called off twice before: during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 and during the second world war.
Boris Johnson remains in St Thomas’ hospital “for observation”, with No 10 saying he had a “comfortable night” and is “in good spirits”.Boris Johnson remains in St Thomas’ hospital “for observation”, with No 10 saying he had a “comfortable night” and is “in good spirits”.
Downing Street is not denying that the prime minister received oxygen treatment last night. Officials are refusing to give any further update on his condition.Downing Street is not denying that the prime minister received oxygen treatment last night. Officials are refusing to give any further update on his condition.
When asked if he had pneumonia, the spokesman said any change in his condition would be made public. No 10 is no longer describing Johnson’s symptoms as “mild”, but confirmed he has a temperature and a cough.When asked if he had pneumonia, the spokesman said any change in his condition would be made public. No 10 is no longer describing Johnson’s symptoms as “mild”, but confirmed he has a temperature and a cough.
The PM remains in charge but the daily coronavirus meeting was chaired by Dominic Raab, who will continue to do so while Johnson is absent.The PM remains in charge but the daily coronavirus meeting was chaired by Dominic Raab, who will continue to do so while Johnson is absent.
Raab is still working from the Foreign Office, rather than Downing Street. Johnson is continuing to work through his red box of papers and No 10 is following infection advice in relation to the box.Raab is still working from the Foreign Office, rather than Downing Street. Johnson is continuing to work through his red box of papers and No 10 is following infection advice in relation to the box.
There will be no cabinet on Tuesday, instead the daily coronavirus meeting will replace it.There will be no cabinet on Tuesday, instead the daily coronavirus meeting will replace it.
Johnson went to hospital by private car but No 10 refused to say what type. It was his first visit to hospital since falling ill.Johnson went to hospital by private car but No 10 refused to say what type. It was his first visit to hospital since falling ill.
No 10 insisted it had been “transparent throughout” despite having claimed up until Johnson’s admission that his symptoms were mild.No 10 insisted it had been “transparent throughout” despite having claimed up until Johnson’s admission that his symptoms were mild.
A spokesman dismissed a Russian report that Johnson is on a ventilator as “disinformation”. The PM will be guided by the advice from his doctors when it comes to calls for him to stop working and rest, he said.A spokesman dismissed a Russian report that Johnson is on a ventilator as “disinformation”. The PM will be guided by the advice from his doctors when it comes to calls for him to stop working and rest, he said.
The Duchess of Cornwall has been reunited with the Prince of Wales after coming out of self-isolation, PA reports.
Camilla, 72, tested negative for coronavirus but isolated for 14 days after heir to the throne Charles contracted Covid-19.
The couple, who had been staying apart from one another at their Scottish retreat of Birkhall in Aberdeenshire, reach a milestone 15 years of marriage on Thursday.A source said: “She came out of isolation this morning.”
Charles finished his isolation a week ago and spoke of the “strange, frustrating and often distressing” experience of being without friends and family.
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, is holding her first coronavirus briefing since the resignation of Catherine Calderwood as Scotland’s chief medical officer.
She says a home care worker has died of coronavirus in West Dumbartonshire. She was one of two more victims in Scotland’s total death toll of 222.
Sturgeon stressed that this would not be a “true figure” and would be “artificially low” as officials change the way deaths are reported.
In total 3,961 people have tested positive across the country and the number of patients being treated in hospital for Covid-19 is 1,599 including 199 in intensive care.
She added: “Unfortunately there is almost certainly worse still to come, before we turn the corner of this virus.”
Sturgeon also sent her best wishes to Boris Johnson. His illness showed how the virus could affect anyone, Sturgeon said.
Potential victims of modern slavery are to be allowed to stay in government-funded safe houses for the next three months, the Home Office has said.
Through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the official process for identifying victims of modern slavery, individuals are able to access support including accommodation for at least 45 days if found to be suspected victims.
Where they would ordinarily be assisted to move on from their accommodation, the temporary change will mean these individuals remain in safe accommodation.
The safeguarding minister, Victoria Atkins, said:
The NRM will continue to take referrals of potential modern slavery victims and those referred will be provided with the support they require, including accommodation.
Kathy Betteridge, director of anti-trafficking and modern slavery for the Salvation Army, the primary provider of support to potential victims, said:
A reader, James Greenwood, points out that Victoria Park, one of the largest open spaces in east London, has been closed since 25 March, following what he described as “kneejerk reaction” by Tower Hamlets council.
The Local Government Association has defended the decision of some councils to close parks.
Responding to new guidance for councils not to close parks unless it is impossible to maintain social distancing in them, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said:
Residents living in a Liverpool apartment block covered in dangerous cladding have been told they will have their waking watch stopped and must carry out the patrols themselves due to rising costs and fears that contractors coming into the building may bring the infection with them, Inside Housing reports.Residents living in the Circle Development in central Liverpool were sent a letter by their property manager, Centrick, which confirmed that it would be stopping contractors from coming into the building to carry out a waking watch.The company said the current waking watch was costing residents £3,284 a week and that outside contractors carrying out checks would increase the risk of bringing Covid-19 into the building.It said: “The mortality risk of the virus is currently higher than the risk of a fire. On the basis of this high risk, we are stopping the waking watch and we would ask occupants to take over the role.”
Lobby journalists have been told that a cabinet meeting due to take place tomorrow has been postponed.
The chief medical officer Chris Whitty has reportedly returned to work after self-isolating with coronavirus symptoms.
The foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, has chaired Monday’s coronavirus meeting, while the prime minister remains in hospital, Downing Street has said.
Raab is the person designated to take over if the PM is unavailable, but that doesn’t make him the “designated survivor”.
Second night in hospital not ruled out for Boris Johnson
The communities secretary, Robert Jenrick, has not ruled out the prime minister spending more nights in hospital but has said he expects him to return to No 10 “shortly”. Jenrick said he had heard Johnson was “doing well” and hoped he’d be back to Downing Street shortly. Asked if the PM would spend more nights in hospital, Jenrick said: “He will obviously take the advice of doctors and nurses who are doing those tests and act accordingly.” He insisted Johnson remained in day-to-day charge of the government.
Jenrick warns councils against park closures
The communities secretary warned councils to only close parks as a “last resort”. South London’s Brockwell Park was reopened after closing on Sunday a day after thousands appeared to ignore physical distancing measures in the park.
Surge in domestic abuse calls
There was a 25% surge in calls to the National Domestic Abuse Helpline in a five-day period during the coronavirus lockdown, according to the charity Refuge. There was also increase of about 150% in visits to nationaldahelpline.org.uk compared with the last week in February. The warning came after dozens of organisations helping domestic violence victims reported an increase in their caseload since the start of the UK’s outbreak.
Sturgeon defends initial decision not to sack Scotland’s CMO
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has defended her decision not to sack Catherine Calderwood as soon as it emerged that Scotland’s chief medical officer had twice visited her second home while fronting the stay at home campaign. But she said by Sunday evening it became clear the Calderwood’s behaviour was “undermining” the message that people should stay at home.
Debenhams set to go into administration
The department store chain Debenhams is on the brink of collapse after bosses confirmed it has filed a notice of intent to appoint administrators affecting around 22,000 workers. The majority of its employees in the UK are currently being paid under the government’s furlough scheme, after its stores closed following the shutdown of non-essential stores.
Keir Starmer’s reshuffle continues
Richard Burgon, the former shadow justice secretary, has been sacked by Labour’s new leader. Andrew Gwynne has stepped down as shadow communities secretary, complaining of being sidelined as election coordinator under Jeremy Corbyn.