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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/apr/18/uk-coronavirus-live-doctors-confirm-lack-of-ppe-amid-fears-supplies-may-run-out-this-weekend
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| Coronavirus UK: large consignment of PPE to arrive tomorrow, says Jenrick – as it happened | |
| (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 crisis | 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 crisis |
| NHS frontline workers may refuse to work if there is not enough PPE to ensure their safety, the UK’s largest union said. The warning came in response to new guidance from Public Health England, revealed by the Guardian on Friday, which instructs healthcare workers to reuse disposable PPE and recommends that medics wear aprons if they are unable to access full-length gowns. There are growing concerns that some PPE supplies are dangerously close to running out. | NHS frontline workers may refuse to work if there is not enough PPE to ensure their safety, the UK’s largest union said. The warning came in response to new guidance from Public Health England, revealed by the Guardian on Friday, which instructs healthcare workers to reuse disposable PPE and recommends that medics wear aprons if they are unable to access full-length gowns. There are growing concerns that some PPE supplies are dangerously close to running out. |
| The UK’s hospital death toll rose by 888 in the last 24 hours to 15,464. Broken down by devolved administration, the figures stand at 13,918 in England, 893 in Scotland, 534 in Wales and 193 in Northern Ireland. | The UK’s hospital death toll rose by 888 in the last 24 hours to 15,464. Broken down by devolved administration, the figures stand at 13,918 in England, 893 in Scotland, 534 in Wales and 193 in Northern Ireland. |
| The Queen’s 94th birthday on Tuesday will not be marked in any special way because the monarch felt it would be “inappropriate in the current circumstances”, a Buckingham Palace source said. It is thought to be the first time the occasion will go unmarked by gun salutes. | The Queen’s 94th birthday on Tuesday will not be marked in any special way because the monarch felt it would be “inappropriate in the current circumstances”, a Buckingham Palace source said. It is thought to be the first time the occasion will go unmarked by gun salutes. |
| Councils across England are to receive an extra £1.6bn in funding to help them cope with increased pressures brought about by the pandemic, the local government secretary Robert Jenrick announced. The funds would help councils fund services including adult social care, children’s services, waste collection and care for the most vulnerable people. An additional £300m would also go to the devolved administrations using the Barnett formula. | Councils across England are to receive an extra £1.6bn in funding to help them cope with increased pressures brought about by the pandemic, the local government secretary Robert Jenrick announced. The funds would help councils fund services including adult social care, children’s services, waste collection and care for the most vulnerable people. An additional £300m would also go to the devolved administrations using the Barnett formula. |
| Close family must be able to attend funerals and cemeteries and graveyards must remain open, Jenrick said. As long as physical distancing was adhered to, family member must have the opportunity to say goodbye to their loved ones, he said. | Close family must be able to attend funerals and cemeteries and graveyards must remain open, Jenrick said. As long as physical distancing was adhered to, family member must have the opportunity to say goodbye to their loved ones, he said. |
| All parks are to remain open, but people must continue to abide by physical distancing rules, Jenrick said. Parks were vital for maintaining the mental and physical health of people for whom the lockdown was even harder, such as those with less living space or without a garden. | All parks are to remain open, but people must continue to abide by physical distancing rules, Jenrick said. Parks were vital for maintaining the mental and physical health of people for whom the lockdown was even harder, such as those with less living space or without a garden. |
| Arcadia Group may permanently shut stores closed by lockdown. Sir Philip Green’s fashion group, whose brands include Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Miss Selfridge, has served notice on its landlords to walk away from stores whose leases have rolling breaks or are due to expire. | Arcadia Group may permanently shut stores closed by lockdown. Sir Philip Green’s fashion group, whose brands include Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Miss Selfridge, has served notice on its landlords to walk away from stores whose leases have rolling breaks or are due to expire. |
| Thank you so much to everyone who got in touch throughout the day with tips and stories, advice and suggestions, poems and love letters. We couldn’t do this without you. | Thank you so much to everyone who got in touch throughout the day with tips and stories, advice and suggestions, poems and love letters. We couldn’t do this without you. |
| That’s it from us on the UK side. If you’d like to continue following our coronavirus coverage head over to our global live blog. | That’s it from us on the UK side. If you’d like to continue following our coronavirus coverage head over to our global live blog. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Asked whether the government would respond to calls for NHS immigration checks to be dropped, he said: | Asked whether the government would respond to calls for NHS immigration checks to be dropped, he said: |
| Powis says the falling number of hospital admissions is encouraging, but that is only happening because people are following physical distancing measures. | Powis says the falling number of hospital admissions is encouraging, but that is only happening because people are following physical distancing measures. |
| 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 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 says be believes the NHS currently has 10,606 ventilators, of which 190 have come from new UK suppliers. | Jenrick says be believes the NHS currently has 10,606 ventilators, of which 190 have come from new UK suppliers. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 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. |
| Powis says he understands we now have a good supply of FFP3 face masks. | Powis says he understands we now have a good supply of FFP3 face masks. |