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| UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson 'responding to treatment' in intensive care; Wales to extend lockdown | UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson 'responding to treatment' in intensive care; Wales to extend lockdown |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| London mayor says capital has ‘capacity to deal with our needs’, as Cambridge University sets up new testing lab | London mayor says capital has ‘capacity to deal with our needs’, as Cambridge University sets up new testing lab |
| Thanks everyone. I am going to be handing the live blog back to Lucy Campbell now, who will be giving you updates throughout the day. | |
| The former Conservative foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said he does not think the nationwide lockdown restrictions will be lifted next week. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World at One, the chairman of the Commons Health and Social Care Select committee said: “As we’ve seen from Italy and other countries, you don’t get a peak and then an immediate reduction, you stay at that peak level for some time.” He added: “I think it’s perfectly reasonable to say that the lockdown is going to need to continue for a while and we don’t need to take this decision at the beginning of next week.” | |
| The South East Coast ambulance service has this morning issued a statement about a fake voicemail message that is being widely circulated on WhatsApp and causing distress. | |
| The service said: “The alarmist information being shared in the message is not correct. We would urge people to disregard the message and not share it further.” | |
| The WhatsApp message, which purports to be someone who works at the service, makes a series of claims that from Thursday, ambulances will not make callouts to people at home suffering from Covid-19, that ice rinks are being used as makeshift morgues, and that a third of the deaths in coming weeks will be babies, children and teenagers with no underlying health issues. | |
| While it isn’t possible to precisely forecast who may be affected by Covid-19, so far no country in the world has seen mortality rates from the coronavirus that have led to a third of the victims being young people. | |
| The service’s statement goes on to say: “In line with our ongoing plans during this challenging time, we are continuing to follow national guidelines regarding the ambulance response and thank the public for their ongoing support in following the government’s advice.” | |
| Nicola Sturgeon has announced a dedicated email address for health and social care workers to report directly to the Scottish government their worries about PPE. | |
| Addressing continuing concerns from healthcare professionals and care workers about the supply and adequacy of PPE, Sturgeon said that her health secretary, Jeane Freeman, and deputy first minister, John Swinney, would be meeting the local government association COSLA and other unions this afternoon to discuss in particular care workers’ provision. | |
| Sturgeon said she believed part of the issue was about building confidence in workers who were not familiar with using the kit, to assure them that the PPE being used currently was adequate. Freeman insisted all kit met WHO guidelines and that supplies were adequate for demand, and that “there is no reason why the supplies that we have are not reaching health and social care workers”. | |
| I am currently look after the Guardian’s live blog. Please do get in touch with me via any of the channels below if you want to share any information or news tips. | |
| Twitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com | |
| The second NHS Nightingale hospital, which has been built at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, is to be opened on Friday, Downing Street has said. The prime minister’s official spokesman said it would initially have 500 beds to treat coronavirus patients, with the capacity to expand to 2,000. “Huge credit should go to all those involved in getting the hospital set up so quickly,” the spokesman said. He added that the third Nightingale hospital in Manchester was expected to open in “the next week or so”. | |
| Lake District MP Tim Farron is pleading with holiday let owners to stop taking bookings and asking visitors to stay at home ahead of what is usually one of the national park’s busiest weekends. | Lake District MP Tim Farron is pleading with holiday let owners to stop taking bookings and asking visitors to stay at home ahead of what is usually one of the national park’s busiest weekends. |
| This comes after an investigation from Cumbria police found adverts for 300 Lake District homes to rent this week. | |
| Farron, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats and MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said: | |
| Below is an update from our lobby team on the latest information around Boris Johnson, who is intensive care with coronavirus. | Below is an update from our lobby team on the latest information around Boris Johnson, who is intensive care with coronavirus. |
| • No 10 has provided an update on the prime minister’s condition, sent by St Thomas’ hospital. It said: “The PM remains clinically stable and is responding to treatment. He continues to be cared for in the intensive care unit of St Thomas’ hospital and is in good spirits.” | • No 10 has provided an update on the prime minister’s condition, sent by St Thomas’ hospital. It said: “The PM remains clinically stable and is responding to treatment. He continues to be cared for in the intensive care unit of St Thomas’ hospital and is in good spirits.” |
| • It was also noted that similarly to yesterday: “The PM is receiving standard oxygen treatment and breathing without assistance.” | • It was also noted that similarly to yesterday: “The PM is receiving standard oxygen treatment and breathing without assistance.” |
| • On whether Johnson is in touch with No 10, the government said the prime minister is not working but has the ability to contact those that he needs to.• Responding to questions about whether No 10 is playing down Donald Trump’s claims that the US is helping with the UK’s treatment, Boris Johnson’s spokesman said: “It will be for the PM’s medical team to decide the treatment for him.”• In response to the Donald Trump saying the UK has asked for 200 ventilators No 10 said the US president’s comments relate to an order from US companies that have already been placed.• Larry the Downing Street cat is “absolutely fine and going about his business in the usual way” despite the British VeterinaryAssociation’s call for animals from infected households to bequarantined as well. The government says there is no evidence thatpets can pass on coronavirus to owners. | • On whether Johnson is in touch with No 10, the government said the prime minister is not working but has the ability to contact those that he needs to.• Responding to questions about whether No 10 is playing down Donald Trump’s claims that the US is helping with the UK’s treatment, Boris Johnson’s spokesman said: “It will be for the PM’s medical team to decide the treatment for him.”• In response to the Donald Trump saying the UK has asked for 200 ventilators No 10 said the US president’s comments relate to an order from US companies that have already been placed.• Larry the Downing Street cat is “absolutely fine and going about his business in the usual way” despite the British VeterinaryAssociation’s call for animals from infected households to bequarantined as well. The government says there is no evidence thatpets can pass on coronavirus to owners. |
| • No 10 is still refusing to say exactly when decision on extendinglockdown will be taken but it is likely to be early next week – around three weeks after it began. | • No 10 is still refusing to say exactly when decision on extendinglockdown will be taken but it is likely to be early next week – around three weeks after it began. |
| • Johnson’s spokesman had no knowledge of the Welsh government’s confirmation that the lockdown will continue next week | • Johnson’s spokesman had no knowledge of the Welsh government’s confirmation that the lockdown will continue next week |
| • It is too early to talk about ways of easing the lockdown such asreopening schools, the spokesman said. | • It is too early to talk about ways of easing the lockdown such asreopening schools, the spokesman said. |
| • Total numbers of NHS staff and their family members tested is over 20,000 across at least 13 testing sites. | • Total numbers of NHS staff and their family members tested is over 20,000 across at least 13 testing sites. |
| • The daily testing number is now up to 14,000.• Improvements are being made to the coronavirus business loan scheme after reports that hardly any companies are getting them.• The Birmingham Nightingale hospital is being opened on Friday.• Dominic Raab would chair the XS Brexit committee if there were to be a meeting while the PM is still incapacitated, but it is not currently meeting, a spokesperson said. | • The daily testing number is now up to 14,000.• Improvements are being made to the coronavirus business loan scheme after reports that hardly any companies are getting them.• The Birmingham Nightingale hospital is being opened on Friday.• Dominic Raab would chair the XS Brexit committee if there were to be a meeting while the PM is still incapacitated, but it is not currently meeting, a spokesperson said. |
| Politicians and commentators have been urged to refrain from using war metaphors when discussing Covid-19. Linguistic experts at Lancaster University are appealing for inspirational alternatives to be considered instead when framing Covid-19 such as comparing it to an ongoing football game where the result is not yet known. Professor Elena Semino said: “Some aspects of hostile language such as ‘the fight against the coronavirus’ help to communicate how serious the situation is and can foster a spirit of solidarity in the face of an external threat. “But some features of the war metaphor may actually have adverse effects in that they lead to anxiety or indeed aggression towards people who may be seen as guilty of causing or spreading the virus. “We know from the literature on public health communication that war metaphors are ill-equipped to make people abstain from their usual behaviours.” | Politicians and commentators have been urged to refrain from using war metaphors when discussing Covid-19. Linguistic experts at Lancaster University are appealing for inspirational alternatives to be considered instead when framing Covid-19 such as comparing it to an ongoing football game where the result is not yet known. Professor Elena Semino said: “Some aspects of hostile language such as ‘the fight against the coronavirus’ help to communicate how serious the situation is and can foster a spirit of solidarity in the face of an external threat. “But some features of the war metaphor may actually have adverse effects in that they lead to anxiety or indeed aggression towards people who may be seen as guilty of causing or spreading the virus. “We know from the literature on public health communication that war metaphors are ill-equipped to make people abstain from their usual behaviours.” |
| The Welsh government has confirmed the lockdown will be extended in Wales. | The Welsh government has confirmed the lockdown will be extended in Wales. |
| Housing and local government minister, Julie James, said: | |
| Marks & Spencer is donating thousands of specially branded “We are the NHS” T-shirts to form part of the uniform pack for the new NHS Nightingale hospital’s London team – making it easier to identify the doctors, nurses, staff and working there. | |
| The UK retailer is also donating clothing care packs for NHS Nightingale patients to help provide some comfort and normality upon discharge. M&S is sourcing, packing and delivering the individual care packs for male and female patients, each containing a T-shirt, jumper, joggers, knickers or boxer shorts and socks, available in a range of sizes. | The UK retailer is also donating clothing care packs for NHS Nightingale patients to help provide some comfort and normality upon discharge. M&S is sourcing, packing and delivering the individual care packs for male and female patients, each containing a T-shirt, jumper, joggers, knickers or boxer shorts and socks, available in a range of sizes. |
| M&S is also starting a new, twice-weekly free food delivery programme to help feed the teams at Great Ormond Street hospital and St Mary’s hospital in Paddington, with deliveries of nearly 5,000 prepared meals, sandwiches and treats every week for the next two months. | |
| The NHS Nightingale hospital – built to boost capacity during the coronavirus crisis – admitted its first patients on Tuesday evening. | |
| Steve Rowe, chief executive of M&S, said: “It’s been truly humbling to read the suggestions that have been pouring in from colleagues and customers alike with ideas for how we can help those on the NHS frontline. At a time when everyone is facing personal challenges and our own frontline colleagues are working round the clock, it’s heartening to see the whole nation getting behind the NHS teams we’re relying on.” | Steve Rowe, chief executive of M&S, said: “It’s been truly humbling to read the suggestions that have been pouring in from colleagues and customers alike with ideas for how we can help those on the NHS frontline. At a time when everyone is facing personal challenges and our own frontline colleagues are working round the clock, it’s heartening to see the whole nation getting behind the NHS teams we’re relying on.” |
| Natalie Forrest, chief operating officer at NHS Nightingale London, said: “These packs will ensure real dignity for our patients and make the nurses very proud to be able to provide such an amazing level of care.” | Natalie Forrest, chief operating officer at NHS Nightingale London, said: “These packs will ensure real dignity for our patients and make the nurses very proud to be able to provide such an amazing level of care.” |
| Interesting insight today on the Guardian from an intensive care doctor who shares their experiences of what treating coronavirus patients is like. | Interesting insight today on the Guardian from an intensive care doctor who shares their experiences of what treating coronavirus patients is like. |
| Shaan Sahota, a junior doctor working in London, writes: | Shaan Sahota, a junior doctor working in London, writes: |
| Hello everyone. I am taking over the live blog while my colleague Lucy Campbell takes a much-earned lunch break. Please do get in touch with me via any of the channels below if you want to share any information or news tips. Thanks all! | Hello everyone. I am taking over the live blog while my colleague Lucy Campbell takes a much-earned lunch break. Please do get in touch with me via any of the channels below if you want to share any information or news tips. Thanks all! |
| Twitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com | Twitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com |
| In the latest episode of our Science Weekly podcast, the Guardian’s health editor Sarah Boseley speaks to Prof Trudie Lang about the outbreak on the African continent and explores how a history of responding to Ebola and other public health emergencies could help. | In the latest episode of our Science Weekly podcast, the Guardian’s health editor Sarah Boseley speaks to Prof Trudie Lang about the outbreak on the African continent and explores how a history of responding to Ebola and other public health emergencies could help. |
| Listen to the episode here. | Listen to the episode here. |
| The National Records of Scotland have just brought out a new set of figures showing coronavirus deaths in Scotland since the pandemic began. | The National Records of Scotland have just brought out a new set of figures showing coronavirus deaths in Scotland since the pandemic began. |
| As of 5 April, there have been 354 deaths registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned in the death certificate. This compares with the figures from the Scottish government’s daily updates, provides by Health protection Scotland, which put the accumulated figure at 296 yesterday. | As of 5 April, there have been 354 deaths registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned in the death certificate. This compares with the figures from the Scottish government’s daily updates, provides by Health protection Scotland, which put the accumulated figure at 296 yesterday. |
| We now have two measures of deaths in Scotland: | We now have two measures of deaths in Scotland: |
| Scottish government daily update, from HPS, which counts deaths that occurred within last 24 hours of those who died within 28 days of positive test for the virus | Scottish government daily update, from HPS, which counts deaths that occurred within last 24 hours of those who died within 28 days of positive test for the virus |
| This new National Records of Scotland weekly update, which counts all registered deaths where Covid-19 is mentioned on death certificate, including suspected and probable cases | This new National Records of Scotland weekly update, which counts all registered deaths where Covid-19 is mentioned on death certificate, including suspected and probable cases |
| Today’s data shows that the vast majority of deaths were in the 65 years and over age group, with 306 of the 354 in that group. | Today’s data shows that the vast majority of deaths were in the 65 years and over age group, with 306 of the 354 in that group. |
| Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board has recorded the highest number of Covid-19 deaths in the year up to 5 April with 122 deaths registered. To date, no Covid-19 related deaths have been registered in Orkney and Western Isles. | Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board has recorded the highest number of Covid-19 deaths in the year up to 5 April with 122 deaths registered. To date, no Covid-19 related deaths have been registered in Orkney and Western Isles. |
| Researchers believe the coronavirus lockdown is working as data from a tracker app suggests that the number of people aged 20-69 who are reporting Covid-19 symptoms has fallen from 1.9 million to 1.4 million across the UK. | Researchers believe the coronavirus lockdown is working as data from a tracker app suggests that the number of people aged 20-69 who are reporting Covid-19 symptoms has fallen from 1.9 million to 1.4 million across the UK. |
| The drop, by around 500,000 people since 1 April, is indicated in analysis of data from the Covid Symptom Tracker app, which is used by more than two million people. | The drop, by around 500,000 people since 1 April, is indicated in analysis of data from the Covid Symptom Tracker app, which is used by more than two million people. |
| Contributors can track their daily health on the specially created app, which is also being used by healthcare and hospital workers nationwide. | Contributors can track their daily health on the specially created app, which is also being used by healthcare and hospital workers nationwide. |
| The researchers behind the app, which was developed by a team at King’s College London, said their latest figures suggest that staying home is having a big impact on the spread of the virus in the UK. | The researchers behind the app, which was developed by a team at King’s College London, said their latest figures suggest that staying home is having a big impact on the spread of the virus in the UK. |
| They say the drop in new symptoms indicates that although the number of hospital admissions and deaths from Covid-19 are currently rising, they should start to fall in about two weeks’ time provided social distancing continues. The team believes the two-week lag is caused by the delay between symptoms starting and becoming very severe. | They say the drop in new symptoms indicates that although the number of hospital admissions and deaths from Covid-19 are currently rising, they should start to fall in about two weeks’ time provided social distancing continues. The team believes the two-week lag is caused by the delay between symptoms starting and becoming very severe. |
| Lead researcher, Prof Tim Spector from King’s College London, said: | Lead researcher, Prof Tim Spector from King’s College London, said: |
| However, while symptoms have been decreasing nationally, researchers say that their data shows that in all areas there are still many people with active symptoms. | However, while symptoms have been decreasing nationally, researchers say that their data shows that in all areas there are still many people with active symptoms. |
| The data also shows that individual areas vary. Most of the country’s larger cities like London, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Liverpool continue to have very high levels of symptoms in the community, even this far into lockdown. South Wales is another hotspot. | The data also shows that individual areas vary. Most of the country’s larger cities like London, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Liverpool continue to have very high levels of symptoms in the community, even this far into lockdown. South Wales is another hotspot. |
| There are significantly higher levels of symptoms across the Midlands, the North of England and southern Scotland than in the south-west of England. | There are significantly higher levels of symptoms across the Midlands, the North of England and southern Scotland than in the south-west of England. |
| The Covid Symptom Tracker app was developed by a King’s College London team in association with the Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and healthcare start-up ZOE Global Limited. | The Covid Symptom Tracker app was developed by a King’s College London team in association with the Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and healthcare start-up ZOE Global Limited. |
| You can download the app, and view an interactive map showing the suggested distribution of Covid-19 in your area, here. | You can download the app, and view an interactive map showing the suggested distribution of Covid-19 in your area, here. |