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| UK coronavirus live: No 10 says priority is avoiding second peak of infections when it considers easing lockdown | UK coronavirus live: No 10 says priority is avoiding second peak of infections when it considers easing lockdown |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Scotland and Wales death tolls rise; anger mounts over PPE shortages; culture secretary says minute’s silence for NHS workers ‘a very good idea’ | Scotland and Wales death tolls rise; anger mounts over PPE shortages; culture secretary says minute’s silence for NHS workers ‘a very good idea’ |
| There have been 296 Jewish funerals where the person who died contracted the coronavirus, as of and including 19 April. The latest figure is an increase of 40 from 16 April, when the last figures were reported. | |
| “We wish their families a long life, and pray that the memory of their loved ones should be for a blessing,” the Board of Deputies of British Jews said in a statement. | |
| The organisation has been liaising with six of the largest denominational burial boards and the Orthodox burial boards in Manchester to collate an indicator of deaths where Covid-19 was a factor. It covers both deaths in hospitals and in the wider community. | |
| Nicola Sturgeon has admitted that virus testing rates in Scotland are running at little over half the NHS’s full laboratory capacity, amid continuing controversy over failures to test care workers. | |
| Scottish government data shows that since the start of April, the NHS has conducted 22,605 tests, an average of 1,190 coronavirus tests per day; over the last 10 days, the average daily rate fell to 1,096 tests. | |
| The first minister confirmed during her daily coronavirus briefing that the NHS in Scotland now had the capacity to run around 2,000 tests a day, and planned to expand that to more than 3,500 by the end of April. | |
| Since the start of the outbreak, 39,612 tests have been conducted by NHS labs in Scotland. Over the weekend a care home in Prestwick, Ayrshire reported it now had 20 suspected deaths from the virus. | |
| NHS laboratories report they are still not running at capacity. And Sturgeon said the NHS laboratories total did not include the UK government’s drive-through testing hubs at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports. | |
| She did not directly answer a question on why NHS facilities were not being used to their fullest extent but said more details should be released on who is being tested, and how capacity is being used in a few days. She said: | |
| Gary Smith, from the GMB Scotland trade union, which represents care workers, said: | |
| The Hackney Gazette has published a tribute to the two nurses at Homerton hospital in east London who died after contracting coronavirus. | |
| Sophie Fagan, 78, died on Sunday morning in the hospital she had spent years working in. She arrived in the UK from India aged 16 to begin her nursing training and went on to work in healthcare in Hackney for more than 50 years. | |
| Michael Allieu, 53, had worked as an acute care nurse at the hospital since 2007. Allieu, who was described as a “vibrant, larger than life character”, died on 18 April after contracting the virus. | Michael Allieu, 53, had worked as an acute care nurse at the hospital since 2007. Allieu, who was described as a “vibrant, larger than life character”, died on 18 April after contracting the virus. |
| The Homerton university hospital NHS foundation trust said Sophie was “part of the healthcare fabric in Hackney” and Michael was a “member of the Homerton family”. | |
| There is a delay in the publication of the UK-wide figures. The Department of Health and Social Care tweeted they would be published later this afternoon. | |
| Nine people have died from the coronavirus in Wales, bringing the total number of deaths to 584, according to Public Health Wales. | Nine people have died from the coronavirus in Wales, bringing the total number of deaths to 584, according to Public Health Wales. |
| There were 276 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the total in Wales to 7,546. | |
| At her daily news conference Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, said the Scottish government would set out “towards the end of this week” a framework that would guide its lifting of lockdown measures. But she stressed that it would not amount to a firm timetable. She said: | |
| Sturgeon also stressed that she would not rush to remove lockdown as this could risk a resurgence of the virus, overwhelming the NHS and putting many more lives at risk. She added: | Sturgeon also stressed that she would not rush to remove lockdown as this could risk a resurgence of the virus, overwhelming the NHS and putting many more lives at risk. She added: |
| Coronavirus lockdown fines have been issued after a police helicopter was scrambled to deal with submerged boaters, PA Media reports. Hinckley police in Leicestershire said officers were called to reports of a break-in at a boat house at 9.30pm on Saturday. The force said it found no signs of a break-in at Thornton Reservoir but spotted two men making their way across the water in a boat without a paddle. In a Facebook post, police said a helicopter was scrambled and spotted the men completely submerged in the water. After the helicopter guided officers to where the men were hidden, an ambulance was sent to the scene to “help warm the two individuals up”. The pair were subsequently issued fixed-penalty notices for breaching coronavirus legislation. | Coronavirus lockdown fines have been issued after a police helicopter was scrambled to deal with submerged boaters, PA Media reports. Hinckley police in Leicestershire said officers were called to reports of a break-in at a boat house at 9.30pm on Saturday. The force said it found no signs of a break-in at Thornton Reservoir but spotted two men making their way across the water in a boat without a paddle. In a Facebook post, police said a helicopter was scrambled and spotted the men completely submerged in the water. After the helicopter guided officers to where the men were hidden, an ambulance was sent to the scene to “help warm the two individuals up”. The pair were subsequently issued fixed-penalty notices for breaching coronavirus legislation. |
| University students could be recruited to help carry out Covid-19 surveillance in Wales once the lockdown is lifted, the Welsh first minister has said. | University students could be recruited to help carry out Covid-19 surveillance in Wales once the lockdown is lifted, the Welsh first minister has said. |
| Mark Drakeford said that after the lockdown ends it is inevitable there will be flare-ups of the virus and plans are being drawn up to carry out surveillance in the community. | Mark Drakeford said that after the lockdown ends it is inevitable there will be flare-ups of the virus and plans are being drawn up to carry out surveillance in the community. |
| Drakeford said public health officials and council officers would be used but it was clear it would need to recruit people such as students to help out. | Drakeford said public health officials and council officers would be used but it was clear it would need to recruit people such as students to help out. |
| He confirmed the Welsh government would not meet the target it has set of carrying out 9,000 tests a day by the end of the month, blaming in part deliveries of equipment and reagents from abroad. He said no new target would be set but military planners were now helping streamline the system. | He confirmed the Welsh government would not meet the target it has set of carrying out 9,000 tests a day by the end of the month, blaming in part deliveries of equipment and reagents from abroad. He said no new target would be set but military planners were now helping streamline the system. |
| The first minister has written to Michael Gove asking for a regular cycle of meetings between the UK government and the devolved administrations between now and the end of the current lockdown period. He said: | The first minister has written to Michael Gove asking for a regular cycle of meetings between the UK government and the devolved administrations between now and the end of the current lockdown period. He said: |
| The first minister is keen on a four-nation plan on the next phase. | The first minister is keen on a four-nation plan on the next phase. |
| He also suggested that the lockdown restrictions around second homes may be tightened later this week. | He also suggested that the lockdown restrictions around second homes may be tightened later this week. |
| An “extremely well-liked and valued” NHS nurse has died after contracting Covid-19, PA Media reports. The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS trust (UHNM) said Patrick McManus worked as a nurse for over 40 years in Staffordshire. The 60-year-old, described as “an exceptional leader” and a “loveable character”, had worked at both Staffordshire Royal Infirmary and, most recently, the County hospital in Stafford. Paying tribute to McManus, Tracy Bullock, the UHNM chief executive, said: | An “extremely well-liked and valued” NHS nurse has died after contracting Covid-19, PA Media reports. The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS trust (UHNM) said Patrick McManus worked as a nurse for over 40 years in Staffordshire. The 60-year-old, described as “an exceptional leader” and a “loveable character”, had worked at both Staffordshire Royal Infirmary and, most recently, the County hospital in Stafford. Paying tribute to McManus, Tracy Bullock, the UHNM chief executive, said: |
| Here is a summary of the main points from the Downing Street lobby briefing. | Here is a summary of the main points from the Downing Street lobby briefing. |
| The prime minister’s spokesman said that avoiding a second peak of infections was the “big concern” as ministers approached the decision about easing the lockdown. (See 12.58pm.) | The prime minister’s spokesman said that avoiding a second peak of infections was the “big concern” as ministers approached the decision about easing the lockdown. (See 12.58pm.) |
| The spokesman said that Boris Johnson is getting daily written updates on coronavirus policy as he recuperates at Chequers, but that he was not engaged in government work. The spokesman said: | The spokesman said that Boris Johnson is getting daily written updates on coronavirus policy as he recuperates at Chequers, but that he was not engaged in government work. The spokesman said: |
| The spokesman said the PM would be “guided by the advice of his medical team” as to when to return to work and that Raab was deputising in his absence. Asked about the PM’s meeting with Raab and others on Friday, the spokesman said that this was a chance to update the PM, and not a decision-making meeting. | The spokesman said the PM would be “guided by the advice of his medical team” as to when to return to work and that Raab was deputising in his absence. Asked about the PM’s meeting with Raab and others on Friday, the spokesman said that this was a chance to update the PM, and not a decision-making meeting. |
| The spokesman refused to elaborate on what options for the easing of the lockdown were being considered, or over what timescale they might be implemented. | The spokesman refused to elaborate on what options for the easing of the lockdown were being considered, or over what timescale they might be implemented. |
| The spokesman said the government now has the capacity to carry out 36,000 coronavirus tests per day. But the latest daily figure for the number of tests carried out, in the 24 hours up to 9am yesterday, was just 21,626. More than 16,000 of those tests were carried out in NHS laboratories, and the rest by commercial partners in drive-through centres. More than 88,000 NHS and social care staff and their relatives have now been tested, the spokesman said, up from 66,000 at the end of last week. | The spokesman said the government now has the capacity to carry out 36,000 coronavirus tests per day. But the latest daily figure for the number of tests carried out, in the 24 hours up to 9am yesterday, was just 21,626. More than 16,000 of those tests were carried out in NHS laboratories, and the rest by commercial partners in drive-through centres. More than 88,000 NHS and social care staff and their relatives have now been tested, the spokesman said, up from 66,000 at the end of last week. |
| Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, will hold this afternoon’s press conference, the spokesman said. Prof Dame Angela McLean, the government’s deputy chief scientific adviser, will also be attending. | Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, will hold this afternoon’s press conference, the spokesman said. Prof Dame Angela McLean, the government’s deputy chief scientific adviser, will also be attending. |
| Downing Street supports the idea of a minute’s silence for NHS workers who have died from coronavirus, the spokesman said. | Downing Street supports the idea of a minute’s silence for NHS workers who have died from coronavirus, the spokesman said. |
| The spokesman confirmed that Dominic Raab is due to deputise for Johnson at PMQs this week. But the exact details of how PMQs will work remain to be decided, he said. | The spokesman confirmed that Dominic Raab is due to deputise for Johnson at PMQs this week. But the exact details of how PMQs will work remain to be decided, he said. |
| The spokesman said there had been no change from last week when ministers were saying they had no plans to follow their New Zealand counterparts, who have taken a 20% pay cut. | The spokesman said there had been no change from last week when ministers were saying they had no plans to follow their New Zealand counterparts, who have taken a 20% pay cut. |
| The daily Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished. And while the prime minister’s spokesman claimed (not entirely convincingly) that Boris Johnson is not doing any government work while he continues to recuperate at Chequers, he confirmed that the government’s priority is now to avoid a second peak - a line that Johnson reportedly stressed when he discussed the coronavirus crisis with Dominic Raab and his closest aides at the end of last week. (See 9.07am.) The spokesman said: | The daily Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished. And while the prime minister’s spokesman claimed (not entirely convincingly) that Boris Johnson is not doing any government work while he continues to recuperate at Chequers, he confirmed that the government’s priority is now to avoid a second peak - a line that Johnson reportedly stressed when he discussed the coronavirus crisis with Dominic Raab and his closest aides at the end of last week. (See 9.07am.) The spokesman said: |
| The spokesman also reminded journalists that Raab, the foreign secretary and first secretary of state, said last week that a second peak of infections would be damaging not just for people’s health, but for the economy too. | The spokesman also reminded journalists that Raab, the foreign secretary and first secretary of state, said last week that a second peak of infections would be damaging not just for people’s health, but for the economy too. |
| For an illustration as to what a second peak might look like, here is a graph from a paper (pdf) produced by Sage, the scientific advisory group for emergencies, for the government last month. | For an illustration as to what a second peak might look like, here is a graph from a paper (pdf) produced by Sage, the scientific advisory group for emergencies, for the government last month. |
| I will post more from the briefing shortly. | I will post more from the briefing shortly. |
| Here is a Guardian video explaining how coronavirus testing works. | Here is a Guardian video explaining how coronavirus testing works. |
| As my colleague Severin Carrell reports, Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has been giving the latest coronavirus case numbers and death figures for Scotland. | As my colleague Severin Carrell reports, Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has been giving the latest coronavirus case numbers and death figures for Scotland. |
| Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has restated his call for the government to give more details about its coronavirus exit strategy. He made that point in a briefing with Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, this morning also involving other opposition leaders. After it was over a spokesperson for Starmer said: | Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has restated his call for the government to give more details about its coronavirus exit strategy. He made that point in a briefing with Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, this morning also involving other opposition leaders. After it was over a spokesperson for Starmer said: |
| The Duke of Edinburgh, 98, has issued a rare public message to pay tribute to all those carrying out “vital and urgent” work in the coronavirus pandemic. Prince Philip, who along with the Queen, is being shielded at Windsor Castle, retired from public life in 2017, and has lived privately since. In his statement he said: | The Duke of Edinburgh, 98, has issued a rare public message to pay tribute to all those carrying out “vital and urgent” work in the coronavirus pandemic. Prince Philip, who along with the Queen, is being shielded at Windsor Castle, retired from public life in 2017, and has lived privately since. In his statement he said: |
| Philip is affiliated to more than 750 organisations , including scientific and technological research, healthcare and infrastructure sectors which have been responding to the outbreak. | Philip is affiliated to more than 750 organisations , including scientific and technological research, healthcare and infrastructure sectors which have been responding to the outbreak. |
| The Dragon’s Heart hospital, an emergency hospital set up at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, is opening today, WalesOnline reports. | The Dragon’s Heart hospital, an emergency hospital set up at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, is opening today, WalesOnline reports. |
| Oliver Dowden, the culture secretary, told ITV’s Good Morning Britain this morning that firms should only use the government’s coronavirus job retention scheme - the furlough initiative, which opened for business this morning - if they could not afford to keep paying staff themselves. He made the point when asked about a story saying Victoria Beckham is using the scheme for staff at her fashion company. Dowden would not comment on the Beckham story, but speaking generally he said: | Oliver Dowden, the culture secretary, told ITV’s Good Morning Britain this morning that firms should only use the government’s coronavirus job retention scheme - the furlough initiative, which opened for business this morning - if they could not afford to keep paying staff themselves. He made the point when asked about a story saying Victoria Beckham is using the scheme for staff at her fashion company. Dowden would not comment on the Beckham story, but speaking generally he said: |