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UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson spends night in hospital UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson spends night in hospital
(32 minutes later)
Follow the latest coronavirus developments in the UK after the prime minister was admitted to hospital for further testsFollow the latest coronavirus developments in the UK after the prime minister was admitted to hospital for further tests
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 front the stay at home campaign. The Times says Johnson is being treated in the nearest NHS hospital to Downing Street – Guys and St Thomas’ on the south bank of the Thames.
Kate Hoey, the former Labour MP for Vauxhall, which includes St Thomas’s, tweets that he is in good hands.
Labour’s new shadow chancellor calmly handled her first big test in the role when her young daughter burst into a room during a live video call broadcast on Sky.
Anneliese Dodds argued on Monday that the coronavirus crisis has further exposed the need to properly fund public services and rebalance the economy.
And said she wants to work “constructively” with Chancellor Rishi Sunak in improving the Government’s emergency packages, warning against any “partisan knockabout” during the time of crisis.
However, she endured a tense moment when she was interrupted during her first round of broadcast appearances after being promoted by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
Appearing on Sky News on a video link from home in Oxford, the mother-of-two coolly smiled and continued with barely any sign of disturbance when young Isabella burst into the room.
“I thought she was going to stay asleep, sorry... so embarrassing,” Dodds said, when asked about the moment at the interview’s close. She’s thankfully under the chair now.”
Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland’s chief medical officer quit because it became clear the crisis over her breaching the lockdown risked “crowding out and undermining” the urgent message to avoid non-essential journeys.
Catherine Calderwood resigned late on Sunday night after admitting she had twice travelled from Edinburgh to her second home in Earlsferry, Fife, during the lockdown she had ordered Scots to follow, once with her husband and then for an overnight stay and beach walks with her family.
At 2.30pm on Sunday Sturgeon had insisted during her daily virus briefing that Calderwood could not and should not quit because her expertise was essential; at 4.40pm Sturgeon announced via press release Calderwood would stand back from all public-facing work on the epidemic. Then at 9.54pm, the Scottish government announced she had quit.
The first minister told Good Morning Britain the extent of the damage Calderwood’s breaches had caused to public confidence had become clearer during the day.
Leading doctors have provided a guide to the kind of treatment and tests the prime minister is likely to be having.
Derek Hill, professor of medical imaging science at UCL, said:
Dr Rupert Beale, group leader of the Cell Biology of Infection Laboratory at the Francis Crick Institute, said:
Dr Bharat Pankhania, senior clinical lecturer at University of Exeter Medical School, answered the following questions:
Why do some people need hospital care and others recover with mild symptoms?
Does this mean he has pneumonia or not necessarily?
What sort of care do people receive in hospital when admitted with Covid-19?
What proportion of people who have Covid-19 tend to need hospital treatment?
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.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Sturgeon also denied trying to bury the story of Calderwood’s resignation last night under news about Boris Johnson being treated in hospital.Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Sturgeon also denied trying to bury the story of Calderwood’s resignation last night under news about Boris Johnson being treated in hospital.
She said: “The normal rules of politics, or spin, or news management, couldn’t be further from my mind. I’m simply trying to do the best things.”She said: “The normal rules of politics, or spin, or news management, couldn’t be further from my mind. I’m simply trying to do the best things.”
Sturgeon said she had initially hoped that Calderwood could remain in post.Sturgeon said she had initially hoped that Calderwood could remain in post.
She said:She said:
Asked if it was her decision for Calderwood to go, Sturgeon said:Asked if it was her decision for Calderwood to go, Sturgeon said:
Sturgeon was earlier questioned on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Monday about why Dr Calderwood was not sacked immediately. She said: Sturgeon was earlier questioned on ITV’s Good Morning Britain about why Dr Calderwood was not sacked immediately. She said:
Scottish parks could be closed and people asked to stop exercising outside if the coronavirus epidemic worsens significantly, the country’s health secretary, Jeane Freeman, has confirmed.Scottish parks could be closed and people asked to stop exercising outside if the coronavirus epidemic worsens significantly, the country’s health secretary, Jeane Freeman, has confirmed.
Freeman was asked on BBC Scotland whether the Scottish government could ban outside exercise after warnings on Sunday from Matt Hancock, the UK government’s health secretary, that drastic measures could be imposed if people failed to observe social distancing laws.Freeman was asked on BBC Scotland whether the Scottish government could ban outside exercise after warnings on Sunday from Matt Hancock, the UK government’s health secretary, that drastic measures could be imposed if people failed to observe social distancing laws.
Freeman also said that Scotland’s deputy chief medical officer, Dr Gregor Smith, would take over temporarily after his boss Catherine Calderwood resigned late on Sunday after she admitted twice flouting her own advice against non-essential travel.Freeman also said that Scotland’s deputy chief medical officer, Dr Gregor Smith, would take over temporarily after his boss Catherine Calderwood resigned late on Sunday after she admitted twice flouting her own advice against non-essential travel.
The health secretary said Calderwood had been right to resign.The health secretary said Calderwood had been right to resign.
Sturgeon would decide later whether to immediately start recruiting a new CMO; until then Smith would work with Prof Fiona McQueen, Scotland’s chief nursing officer, and Jason Leitch, national clinical. “That team carries on, and the focus remains on what we need to do to steer the country as successfully through the epidemic as we possibly can,” she said.Sturgeon would decide later whether to immediately start recruiting a new CMO; until then Smith would work with Prof Fiona McQueen, Scotland’s chief nursing officer, and Jason Leitch, national clinical. “That team carries on, and the focus remains on what we need to do to steer the country as successfully through the epidemic as we possibly can,” she said.
A union is demanding that London Underground drivers are provided with masks and gloves to help protect them from contracting Covid-19.A union is demanding that London Underground drivers are provided with masks and gloves to help protect them from contracting Covid-19.
Aslef said its members working on the tube were risking their own safety to provide a service for essential workers.Aslef said its members working on the tube were risking their own safety to provide a service for essential workers.
The Aslef official Finn Brennan said:The Aslef official Finn Brennan said:
Tube drivers must be provided with masks, gloves and instructions on how to use them safely, said Aslef. The call follows news over the weekend that five bus workers in London have died of the virus.Tube drivers must be provided with masks, gloves and instructions on how to use them safely, said Aslef. The call follows news over the weekend that five bus workers in London have died of the virus.
WH Smith is preparing to raise new equity to get it through the coronavirus crisis, and the publisher of the Daily Mirror, Reach, is putting a fifth of its staff on furlough.WH Smith is preparing to raise new equity to get it through the coronavirus crisis, and the publisher of the Daily Mirror, Reach, is putting a fifth of its staff on furlough.
Business Live has more details and all the latest on the market reaction to hopes of slowdown in infections.Business Live has more details and all the latest on the market reaction to hopes of slowdown in infections.
Deliveroo is to offer emergency Passover kits to members of the Jewish community who are struggling to obtain special food for the Seder meal which marks the start of the week-long festival this Wednesday.Deliveroo is to offer emergency Passover kits to members of the Jewish community who are struggling to obtain special food for the Seder meal which marks the start of the week-long festival this Wednesday.
The home delivery service has partnered with the Jewish charity Chabad Lubavitch UK to provide the “Seder-to-go” kits.The home delivery service has partnered with the Jewish charity Chabad Lubavitch UK to provide the “Seder-to-go” kits.
Each box will contain six small containers containing the items needed for the seder plate and a roll up seder plate. Also available are a box of Matzah, a bottle of grape juice, a bottle of wine, a Kiddush cup and a Haggadah – the text recited at the Seder.Each box will contain six small containers containing the items needed for the seder plate and a roll up seder plate. Also available are a box of Matzah, a bottle of grape juice, a bottle of wine, a Kiddush cup and a Haggadah – the text recited at the Seder.
The move is aimed at people who are vulnerable or self-isolating, and are unable to go shopping to buy items for the Seder. Delivery will be free of charge and contact-free.The move is aimed at people who are vulnerable or self-isolating, and are unable to go shopping to buy items for the Seder. Delivery will be free of charge and contact-free.
Rabbi Bentzi Sudak, chief executive of Chabad Lubavitch UK, said:Rabbi Bentzi Sudak, chief executive of Chabad Lubavitch UK, said:
A senior minister has insisted Boris Johnson is fit enough to lead the country from his hospital bed after he was admitted with persistent coronavirus symptoms.A senior minister has insisted Boris Johnson is fit enough to lead the country from his hospital bed after he was admitted with persistent coronavirus symptoms.
Former prime minister Tony Blair, who had to be operated on for an irregular heart beat while in office, has expressed sympathy for Johnson.
Speaking to Today, Blair said:
Asked whether the prime minister should hand over control while ill, Blair said:
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.
In the week starting 30 March, from Monday to Friday, the helpline saw a significant daily rise in calls and contacts. There was also increase of around 150% in visits to nationaldahelpline.org.uk compared with the last week in February.
Refuge chief executive Sandra Horley said:
The warning came after than 25 organisations helping domestic violence victims reported an increase in their caseload since the start of the UK’s outbreak.
One group, Chayn, said that analysis of online traffic showed that visitors to its website had more than trebled last month compared with the same period last year. An audit of 119 organisations by the domestic abuse charity SafeLives found, however, that even as pressure on frontline services increased, most were being forced to reduce vital services.
Over the weekend, Merseyside Police repeated advice for victims of domestic abuse during the coronavirus lockdown after officers were called to a home in Rainhill, Merseyside, just before 11pm on Saturday following reports of an argument involving the two occupants.
A force spokesman said a 44-year-old woman had been stabbed in the face twice, causing injuries above her left eyebrow, and was taken to hospital for treatment. She was later released. A 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of wounding.Two children are being looked after by family members following the incident, police said.
Refuge said if anyone is worried about a loved one, or about isolating with a perpetrator, they can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or contact the Helpline via Refuge’s contact form at http://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk.
On park closures, Jenrick told Today that he had spoken to councils to warn them to be “very judicious” in only closing parks if they cannot ensure social distancing can be maintained in them.
Jenrick, who is responsible for local authorities, said he has “a lot of sympathy” with those who argue that public confidence could be lost by people in power with ample space telling those in crowded homes they cannot use parks or exercise outside. He said:
The former head of the civil service Lord Kerslake said it would be “sensible” for Johnson to “step back” if he is not well enough to carry out his role for now.
He told the Today programme:
Interviewed on the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Jenrick said the prime minister will stay in hospital for “as long as he needs to”. But he added: “I’ve heard that he’s doing well.”
Asked if Johnson could spend another night in hospital, Jenrick said the prime minister will “take the advice of doctors.”
He pointed out again that Raab will chair today’s government meeting on coronavirus. But he again insisted Johnson was still in charge of the government.
Earlier the Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, suggested Raab would be running day-to-day operations.
Jenrick also played down speculation that the government planned to close parks or ban outside exercise, but he urged the public to stick to the existing physical distancing rules.
He said he “disappointed” that some parks have been so busy that councils have been forced to close them.
He said:
Asked if the government was considering following France in making the public fill out forms before they could leave their homes, Jenrick said:
The communities secretary, Robert Jenrick, has insisted that Johnson will continue to lead the government while in hospital.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, said the prime minister “must be frustrated” by his condition.
He said:
Asked how practical it is for Johnson to run a government from hospital, Jenrick said:
Most people recover from Covid-19 within a week and cannot even be certain they had it, as they probably won’t be tested. The advice is to stay home, rest and take paracetamol. In 80% of cases, that is the end of it.
But NHS advice is that if the symptoms – mainly the dry cough, temperature and fatigue – have not gone by the end of a week, or they get worse, people should seek medical help.
Unlike Matt Hancock, the health secretary, who revealed he had Covid-19 on the same day as the prime minister, Boris Johnson has not recovered within the first week. He is said to have been admitted to hospital for tests, which may include scans of his lungs to check for pneumonia, as well as blood tests. He had a diagnostic test for Covid-19, so doctors will be looking for progression of the disease and to establish that he has not entered the second phase, where the immune system goes into overdrive.
Given the increasing pressure on hospitals at the moment, it is unlikely he will have been admitted unless doctors have real concerns. Minor tests could be carried out in Downing Street.
The new shadow chancellor, Anneliese Dodds, has said it is “critical” that ministers start working on a way out of the economic shutdown immediately.
Speaking to ITV’s Good Morning Britain, she said:
Dodds said she would be speaking to her counterpart in government, Rishi Sunak, later in the day as she stressed the importance of working with the Tories during the crisis.
Welcome to an earlier than usual edition our UK coronavirus live blog following the prime minister’s admission to hospital as he still suffers symptoms of the virus.
Downing Street said Boris Johnson will stay for “as long as needed” in the unnamed London NHS hospital where he was taken as a “precautionary step” on the advice of his doctor. Johnson remains “in charge of the government” and in contact with ministerial colleagues and officials despite his hospital admission, a spokesman said.
The news came just an hour after the Queen delivered a message of hope to the nation amid the Covid-19 pandemic, saying “we will overcome it” although we “may have more still to endure”.Johnson, 55, tested positive for the virus 10 days ago, and had been in self-isolation inside his Downing Street flat since.
A No 10 spokeswoman said:
Donald Trump was among the well-wishers, starting Sunday night’s White House press briefing by saying Johnson was “a great friend of mine” and adding: “I’m sure he is going to be fine, he’s a strong man, a strong person.”
Meanwhile:
Scotland’s chief medical officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, resigned following criticism for visiting her second home and not adhering to social distancing advice.
The Department of Health and Social Care said the number of reported coronavirus-related hospital deaths had risen by 621 to 4,934 as of 5pm on Saturday, up from 4,313 the day before.
Princess Alexandra hospital in Harlow confirmed Lynsay Coventry, 54, who died on Thursday, was the first serving midwife to die after testing positive for the virus.
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, warned outdoor exercise could be banned if people continued to flout the social distancing rules.