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Coronavirus UK live: large consignment of PPE to arrive tomorrow, says Jenrick 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. In more positive news, inmates at HMP Guys Marsh in Dorset are sewing 500 items for nurses at Yeovil hospital, following donations of materials and sewing machines from local villagers.
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. In need of a project for the prisoners, who are under even stricter confinement than usual due to lockdown and physical distancing measures, and wanting to help the NHS, the prison contacted Yeovil hospital to ask what they needed. Delighted, the hospital asked for 500 items including nurses scrubs and laundry bags.
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. With there being only one sewing machine between the men, the local community was called upon to get involved with the project. People from the village of Marnhull donated several machines and local businesses donated fabric in the form of spare duvets and sheets, binding, buttons and elastic to get the initiative started.
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). The Honesty Jar, a local second-hand share shop, also set up a marquee outside the store – of course closed during lockdown – so people could help themselves to fabric which was then delivered to the men at Guys Marsh.
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. Jenrick was asked about concerns over undocumented migrants who have developed symptoms and are too afraid to seek medical help, either because of their immigration status or fears of deportation.
Powis said he understands we now have a good supply of FFP3 face masks. Asked whether the government would respond to calls for NHS immigration checks to be dropped, he said:
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. Powis says the falling number of hospital admissions is encouraging, but that is only happening because people are following physical distancing measures.
Here is the story if you need refresh yourself of the claims. Jenrick says Boris Johnson continues to rest and recuperate at Chequers. He has had “some contact with ministers” but mainly with his office in Downing Street.
Jenrick said more needs to be done to get the PPE required to the frontline. He cited “global demand” which makes this a challenge. Jenrick says be believes the NHS currently has 10,606 ventilators, of which 190 have come from new UK suppliers.
He said a significant consignment of PPE is due to arrive in the UK from Turkey tomorrow, which will contain 400,000 gowns. Powis says getting the real number of infections in the community is best done by testing for antibodies to find out how many people have had the virus and developed an immune response.
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 says these tests are still being worked out and that we still don’t understand how antibodies are produced in people who have had Covid-19.
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 says he understands we now have a good supply of FFP3 face masks.
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. Jenrick maintains he did not break physical distancing rules when he visited his parents to drop off medical supplies and food. He also says 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 says more needs to be done to get the PPE required to the frontline. He cited “global demand” as making this a challenge.
He says a significant consignment of PPE is due to arrive in the UK from Turkey on Sunday, which will include 400,000 gowns.
As well as large brands such as Burberry and Barbour, many small and medium-sized companies were also rising to the challenge of helping the NHS by producing PPE. Any businesses that feels they “have not been listened to” in terms of offering to produce PPE should “get back in touch” with the government, he says.
Powis says PPE is a very personal issue for him as a doctor. He says the guidance was professionally agreed two weeks ago for that stage of the epidemic. He says 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.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. Jenrick says the virus does appear to be having a disproportionate impact on BAME communities in the UK, as in the US. He said research must be done swiftly and action 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. Powis says he is very concerned about the issue and supports the move by Public Health England to investigate the matter. He notes 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.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. He says the use of transport continues to decline, both in public transport and private vehicles.
The number of new infections is “stabilising”. He said we’re not seeing a growth, in the context of increasing numbers of tests. He says the number of new infections is “stabilising” and that the number of people admitted to hospital with Covid-19 was beginning to fall.
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. He says these are encouraging signs “but still early”, and that 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. The number of deaths will be the last to change, but will do so if distancing measures continue, he says.
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 that close members could attend funerals providing they adhere to physical distancing measures.
He added that cemeteries and graveyards must remain open, not for people to congregate but for people “to seek solace” or to lay flowers. Cemeteries and graveyards must remain open, he said, not for people to congregate but for them “to seek solace” or 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 were small mercies that made life more liveable and more humane in the current circumstances.
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 had been examples of parks across the country closing. He acknowledged that the lockdown was harder for people with less living space, or 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.