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Coronavirus live news: Robert Jenrick leads daily briefing as UK death toll passes 15,000 Coronavirus UK live: large consignment of PPE to arrive tomorrow, says Jenrick
(32 minutes later)
Further 21,ooo tests done as union says medics may walk out over lack of PPE. Follow all the day’s developments in the UK’s Covid-19 crisisFurther 21,ooo tests done as union says medics may walk out over lack of PPE. Follow all the day’s developments in the UK’s Covid-19 crisis
Powis said the falling numbers of hospitalisations is “encouraging” but that is only happening because people are following social distancing measures.
Jenrick said the prime minister continues to rest and recuperate in Chequers. He has had “some contact with ministers” but mainly contacts his office at Downing Street. He did not give further detail on contact between Boris Johnson and members of his cabinet.
Jenrick said that as of today, he believed there to be 10,606 ventilators within the NHS, of which 190 have come from new UK suppliers.
Powis said getting the real number of infections in the community is best done by testing antibodies (people who have had the virus and developed an immune response in their blood).
He said these tests are still being worked out and we still don’t understand how antibodies are produced in people who have had Covid-19.
Powis said he understands we now have a good supply of FFP3 face masks.
Jenrick maintained he did not break social distancing rules when he visited his parents to drop off medical supplies and food. He added that he returns to Westminster for work and stays with his family in Herefordshire.
Here is the story if you need refresh yourself of the claims.
Jenrick said more needs to be done to get the PPE required to the frontline. He cited “global demand” which makes this a challenge.
He said a significant consignment of PPE is due to arrive in the UK from Turkey tomorrow, which will contain 400,000 gowns.
As well as large brands like Burberry and Barbour, many SMEs are also rising to the challenge to help the NHS by producing PPE, he said.
He said any businesses who “felt they have not been listened to” in terms of offering to produce PPE should “get back in touch” with the government.
Powis said PPE was a very personal issue for him as a doctor himself. He said the guidance was professionally agreed two weeks ago for that stage of the epidemic. He said he knew the government was working hard but it is absolutely critical “above anything else” to get supplies of PPE to the frontline.
They are taking questions from the media now.
Jenrick said there does appear to be a disproportionate impact of the virus on BAME communities in the UK, as in the US. He said research must be done “swiftly” and action then taken.
Powis said he is very concerned about this issue and he supports the move by Public Health England to investigate the matter. He noted that a significant number of NHS staff come from ethnic minorities and it’s important that work is done as quickly as possible.
Prof Stephen Powis, the national medical director for NHS England, is speaking now.
Use of transport continues to decline, both in public transport and motor vehicles.
The number of new infections is “stabilising”. He said we’re not seeing a growth, in the context of increasing numbers of tests.
We are beginning to see a reduction in numbers of people hospitalised with Covid-19. These are encouraging signs “but still early” – he said it is critical we all continue to comply with physical distancing measures.
The number of deaths will be the last to change, but will change if distancing measures continue.
Jenrick said families must have the opportunity to say goodbye to loved ones and funerals can go ahead with close family present, as long as social distancing is adhered to.Jenrick said families must have the opportunity to say goodbye to loved ones and funerals can go ahead with close family present, as long as social distancing is adhered to.
He added that cemeteries and graveyards must remain open, not for people to congregate but for people “to seek solace” or to lay flowers.He added that cemeteries and graveyards must remain open, not for people to congregate but for people “to seek solace” or to lay flowers.
He said these are small mercies that can make a difference, to make these times more liveable and more humane.He said these are small mercies that can make a difference, to make these times more liveable and more humane.
Jenrick said there have been examples of parks across the country closing. He acknowledged the lockdown is harder for people with less living space, e.g. without a garden.Jenrick said there have been examples of parks across the country closing. He acknowledged the lockdown is harder for people with less living space, e.g. without a garden.
“People need parks,” he said. “For the health of the nation, people must abide by social distancing rules and not congregate in those parks”.“People need parks,” he said. “For the health of the nation, people must abide by social distancing rules and not congregate in those parks”.
Jenrick said more than 90% of rough sleepers had been offered accommodation, and thanked local councils, charities and others.Jenrick said more than 90% of rough sleepers had been offered accommodation, and thanked local councils, charities and others.
He said there was “a small number, regrettably, still rough sleeping”.He said there was “a small number, regrettably, still rough sleeping”.
He paid tribute to “heroic” Capt Tom Moore who has raised £23m for the NHS. He will be a guest of honour at the opening of the NHS Nightingale in Harrogate next week.He paid tribute to “heroic” Capt Tom Moore who has raised £23m for the NHS. He will be a guest of honour at the opening of the NHS Nightingale in Harrogate next week.
Jenrick said three weeks after the initial announcement, 250,000 packages of essential items had been delivered to “the most clinically vulnerable people”.Jenrick said three weeks after the initial announcement, 250,000 packages of essential items had been delivered to “the most clinically vulnerable people”.
He also said 300,000 more boxes were expected to be delivered this week to those who are shielding.He also said 300,000 more boxes were expected to be delivered this week to those who are shielding.
The department’s call centre is making up to 330,000 calls a day to check on those who are shielding and see if they need a priority slot with their local supermarket.The department’s call centre is making up to 330,000 calls a day to check on those who are shielding and see if they need a priority slot with their local supermarket.
Jenrick announced an additional £1.6bn to help councils cope with increased pressures caused by the coronavirus crisis in areas including adult social care, children’s services, care for the most vulnerable and waste collection.Jenrick announced an additional £1.6bn to help councils cope with increased pressures caused by the coronavirus crisis in areas including adult social care, children’s services, care for the most vulnerable and waste collection.
The funding takes the total given to councils to help them through the pandemic to £3.2bn, he said.The funding takes the total given to councils to help them through the pandemic to £3.2bn, he said.
He also said £2.6bn in business rates payments would be deferred to central government.He also said £2.6bn in business rates payments would be deferred to central government.
He added an extra £300m will go to devolved administrations through the Barnett Formula, with Scotland getting £155m, Wales £95m, and Northern Ireland £50m.He added an extra £300m will go to devolved administrations through the Barnett Formula, with Scotland getting £155m, Wales £95m, and Northern Ireland £50m.
Robert Jenrick, the local government secretary, is speaking now.
460,437 tests have now been carried out across Great Britain, including 21,389 tests carried out yesterday.
114,217 people have tested positive, an increase of 5,526 cases since yesterday.
17,759 people are currently in hospital with coronavirus in Great Britain, down from 18,711 yesterday.
Of those admitted to hospital, 15,464 have died, an increase of 888 fatalities in 24 hours.
More than 100,000 reusable face masks are being flown into Yorkshire from Vietnam for the NHS, the Yorkshire Post reports.
The MP for Wakefield, Imran Khan, used his own connections to arrange the delivery of the masks, which will go to the three hospitals covered by the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust when they arrive in the UK this week. It is understood 10,000 will also be distributed by the trust to care homes and hospices.
The government’s daily press briefing is due to begin shortly and will be fronted by the local government secretary, Robert Jenrick. He is expected to be joined by Prof Stephen Powis, the national medical director of NHS England.
An NHS nurse has criticised Matt Hancock after her eight-year-old daughter begged her not to continue working in A&E during the coronavirus pandemic.
Kate, who did not want her surname published, has worked in the NHS for 25 years and in February returned to a more hands-on role. However, since the coronavirus outbreak unfolded in the UK, the 44-year-old has campaigned against Public Health England’s guidance during the crisis, and her daughter is concerned for her mother’s safety.
Kate tweeted the health secretary on Friday that her child had gone to bed “sobbing and begging me not to work in A&E”, adding: “her words broke me, ‘Mummy I’m only 8 and I need you - I don’t want you to die’”. Kate told the PA news agency:
A British Medical Association survey of more than 6,000 doctors across the country said a significant amount of them remain without the protection they need to guard against Covid-19. Meanwhile, another survey by the Royal College of Nursing found half of nurses have felt pressure to work without appropriate protective equipment during the crisis. Kate added:
A farmer is raising money for the NHS by walking 91 laps around his bungalow on his 91st birthday.
Rhythwyn Evans had completed 21 laps of the property in Ceredigion before breakfast on Saturday. The grandfather, who uses a walking stick, has already raised more than 11,000 for his local health board charity. He said he had lived to a “ripe old age” and wanted “to give something back to the community”.
Evans was inspired by Captain Tom Moore, who has raised more than £23m for NHS Charities Together by walking laps of his garden to mark his 100th birthday.
Money raised by Evans will go to the Hywel Dda NHS Covid-19 Appeal, organised by Hywel Dda Health Charities. He originally aimed to raise £1,000 but quickly passed this target.
Sarah Jennings, director of partnerships and corporate services for Hywel Dda University Health Board, said they were “extremely grateful” for Evans’s support. She said:
Here is his JustGiving page.
The Royal College of Surgeons has joined condemnation of new guidance which means doctors and nurses in England could be asked to work without full-length gowns and to reuse items when treating coronavirus patients.
Prof Neil Mortensen, president-elect of the college, echoed advice from the Royal College of Nursing that nurses should refuse to treat patients “as a last resort” if they are not provided with adequate PPE.
Mortensen said the NHS guidance, rushed out on Friday amid fears some supplies could run out this weekend, was deeply disturbing and was issued without consulting expert medical bodies. He added:
He said that, like all doctors, surgeons are committed to their patients and many will put themselves in the line of fire.
A small group of independent designers and makers have launched an urgent crowdfunding campaign to produce 200 medical gowns for London medics. Each single-use, splash-proof gown costs £30 to make. You can find more information and donate to the cause here.
Here is some much-needed mid-afternoon positive news!
Capt Tom Moore and Michael Ball have topped the iTunes chart with their charity single You’ll Never Walk Alone, mere hours after the track was released.
The 99-year-old veteran has raised almost £23m for the NHS by walking lengths of his garden. He was aiming to reach 100 laps by his 100th birthday at the end of the month, but has since passed that target and plans to keep going as long as the donations continue.