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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: hospital death toll rises by 449 to 16,509
(32 minutes later)
England, Scotland and Wales death tolls rise; culture secretary says minute’s silence for NHS workers ‘very good idea’ No 10 says priority is avoiding second peak of infections when it considers easing lockdown
As of 5pm on 19 April, 16,509 people in hospital who tested positive for coronavirus and died, up by 449 from the day before. The full figures are here.
A total of 386,044 people have been tested, of whom 124,743 have tested positive.
Downing Street won’t discuss what its plan for easing the lockdown might look like, but the former prime minister Tony Blair is keen to explore the mechanics of how this might be achieved and his thinktank has published a report (pdf) on this topic which is well worth reading if you are at all curious about what the future might look like.
Blair does not have a “magic bullet” solution (until a vaccine arrives, no one does), but he has a useful summary of the options.
Here are three charts that summarise his argument.
This shows how hard it would be to relax the various measures in place without R, the reproduction number (the rate at new people get infected by every person with coronavirus), rising above 1. It puts the current rate at 0.7 and, based on Imperial College calculations, it says that it would be impossible to lift the main measures currently in place (except school closures) with R rising above 1.
The report argues that what is needed is a twin strategy of containment and shielding.
This chart uses a traffic-light analysis to assess the merits of eight policy options.
And this chart suggests how the UK could move out of the hard lockdown, via a “soft lockdown” towards “soft open”, as and when various new cases/testing/tracing/shielding thresholds are hit.
In an interview on Sky this morning Blair said that an exit strategy was essential because the lockdown would do crippling damage to the economy, government revenues and people’s lives if it were allowed to continue for too long. He said:
Only 17 out of a potential 70 inmates who are either pregnant or held in a mother and baby unit (MBU) have been released from prison since the government announced the emergency measure three weeks ago, MPs and peers have heard.
The Ministry of Justice announced on 31 March it would temporarily release pregnant women in custody and women held in MBUs who do not pose a high risk of harm “within days” to protect them from coronavirus.
There were 35 pregnant women in prison and 34 MBU inmates as of 6pm on 30 March. The justice secretary, Robert Buckland, told the Joint Committee on Human Rights that only 17 had been released so far.
He said:
A new emergency hospital in Glasgow may not be needed because the coronavirus outbreak in Scotland appears to be plateauing thanks to high levels of public adherence to the lockdown, the hospital’s chief executive has confirmed.A new emergency hospital in Glasgow may not be needed because the coronavirus outbreak in Scotland appears to be plateauing thanks to high levels of public adherence to the lockdown, the hospital’s chief executive has confirmed.
The Louisa Jordan hospital opened at the Scottish Events Campus for its first patients on Monday, with a potential capacity of 1,036 beds. Jill Young, its chief executive, said it would open beds 40 at a time, basing its occupancy on normal hospital ward numbers.The Louisa Jordan hospital opened at the Scottish Events Campus for its first patients on Monday, with a potential capacity of 1,036 beds. Jill Young, its chief executive, said it would open beds 40 at a time, basing its occupancy on normal hospital ward numbers.
They have 100 staff on standby for the first patients but Young said there was no call yet on its facilities, which are due initially to remain at the SEC for five months but will remain there for as long as needed.They have 100 staff on standby for the first patients but Young said there was no call yet on its facilities, which are due initially to remain at the SEC for five months but will remain there for as long as needed.
The number of Covid-19 patients in Scottish hospitals and in intensive care beds has begun to fall. There were more than 200 people in ITU units in mid-April, but only 169 this morning.The number of Covid-19 patients in Scottish hospitals and in intensive care beds has begun to fall. There were more than 200 people in ITU units in mid-April, but only 169 this morning.
Young said:Young said:
Young added that much of the equipment and furniture installed there would be reused within the NHS if the hospital was not required. Its construction and installation costs totalled £43m, with local businesses donating around £1m in supplies, including free concrete and steel.Young added that much of the equipment and furniture installed there would be reused within the NHS if the hospital was not required. Its construction and installation costs totalled £43m, with local businesses donating around £1m in supplies, including free concrete and steel.
From emergency arrivals to critical care, the Guardian was given extraordinary access to UHCW hospital in Coventry to document the Covid-19 pandemic. This photo essay by Jonny Weeks captures the contributions of those who save our livesFrom emergency arrivals to critical care, the Guardian was given extraordinary access to UHCW hospital in Coventry to document the Covid-19 pandemic. This photo essay by Jonny Weeks captures the contributions of those who save our lives
The justice secretary, Robert Buckland, has told MPs any tracing app designed to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 would be “functionally limited” to prevent a “mission creep” that would change the relationship between the individual and the state.The justice secretary, Robert Buckland, has told MPs any tracing app designed to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 would be “functionally limited” to prevent a “mission creep” that would change the relationship between the individual and the state.
The NHSX – the health service’s digital transformation arm – is developing an app that alerts users when they have been in contact with someone with coronavirus.The NHSX – the health service’s digital transformation arm – is developing an app that alerts users when they have been in contact with someone with coronavirus.
But experts have warned that digital contact tracing will fail unless governments build the technology in a way that respects user privacy.But experts have warned that digital contact tracing will fail unless governments build the technology in a way that respects user privacy.
Quizzed by the SNP MP Joanna Cherry QC on the risks to privacy, Buckland, the cabinet minister responsible for human rights, said so far he had seen a “proper prioritisation of privacy and indeed security”.Quizzed by the SNP MP Joanna Cherry QC on the risks to privacy, Buckland, the cabinet minister responsible for human rights, said so far he had seen a “proper prioritisation of privacy and indeed security”.
Buckland told a remote session of the Joint Committee on Human Rights:Buckland told a remote session of the Joint Committee on Human Rights:
Buckland said consultation had taken place with the Information Commissioner, the National Data Guardians Panel, and the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation.Buckland said consultation had taken place with the Information Commissioner, the National Data Guardians Panel, and the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation.
He said:He said:
Buckland said the app would be compliant with the GDPR, the Human Rights Act, and the Equality Act. “This is not an app that’s being designed for enforcement. That’s a very important point when considering the potential ramifications of this.Buckland said the app would be compliant with the GDPR, the Human Rights Act, and the Equality Act. “This is not an app that’s being designed for enforcement. That’s a very important point when considering the potential ramifications of this.
The chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, told the Andrew Marr show on Sunday, that the app was in beta-testing phase.The chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, told the Andrew Marr show on Sunday, that the app was in beta-testing phase.
Ofcom has ruled that London Live broke broadcasting rules and posed “significant harm to viewers in London during the pandemic” by broadcasting an 80-minute interview with David Icke.Ofcom has ruled that London Live broke broadcasting rules and posed “significant harm to viewers in London during the pandemic” by broadcasting an 80-minute interview with David Icke.
The media regulator imposed a sanction on ESTV, which owns London Live, following the interview in which Icke suggested the coronavirus pandemic was part of a plot by governments to destroy the economy and conduct mass surveillance.The media regulator imposed a sanction on ESTV, which owns London Live, following the interview in which Icke suggested the coronavirus pandemic was part of a plot by governments to destroy the economy and conduct mass surveillance.
“Our investigation found David Icke expressed views which had the potential to cause significant harm to viewers in London during the pandemic,” Ofcom said in a statement.“Our investigation found David Icke expressed views which had the potential to cause significant harm to viewers in London during the pandemic,” Ofcom said in a statement.
According to Sky News, three RAF aircraft which are due to fly to Turkey to collect consignments of PPE (personal protective equipment) that the NHS was expecting today have yet to take off because they have not received confirmation that the packages are ready.According to Sky News, three RAF aircraft which are due to fly to Turkey to collect consignments of PPE (personal protective equipment) that the NHS was expecting today have yet to take off because they have not received confirmation that the packages are ready.
The government has announced that mortuaries will be expanded by 30,000 spaces during the coronavirus pandemic.The government has announced that mortuaries will be expanded by 30,000 spaces during the coronavirus pandemic.
The BBC reports that this is a precautionary measure rather than a prediction of how many people will die.The BBC reports that this is a precautionary measure rather than a prediction of how many people will die.
Local government minister Simon Clarke said: “We all hope these contingencies will not be needed ... that requires everyone to play their part in the national effort.”Local government minister Simon Clarke said: “We all hope these contingencies will not be needed ... that requires everyone to play their part in the national effort.”
He added: “We’re trying to strike an appropriate balance.”He added: “We’re trying to strike an appropriate balance.”
NHS England has announced 429 new deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 14,829.NHS England has announced 429 new deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 14,829.
Of the 429 new deaths announced today: 85 occurred on 19 April, 210 occurred on 18 April, and 53 occurred on 17 April.Of the 429 new deaths announced today: 85 occurred on 19 April, 210 occurred on 18 April, and 53 occurred on 17 April.
The figures also show 77 of the deaths happened between 1 April and 16 April, and the remaining four deaths occurred in March, with the earliest new death thappening on 21 March.The figures also show 77 of the deaths happened between 1 April and 16 April, and the remaining four deaths occurred in March, with the earliest new death thappening on 21 March.
The full details of the figures are here (pdf).The full details of the figures are here (pdf).
Plaid Cymru has called the Welsh government’s dropping of coronavirus testing targets “a scandal”.Plaid Cymru has called the Welsh government’s dropping of coronavirus testing targets “a scandal”.
The party’s shadow health minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “Testing has to be a priority. The World Health Organization said testing is the backbone of the war on coronavirus. Except in Wales, it seems – or does Welsh government know something the WHO doesn’t?”The party’s shadow health minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “Testing has to be a priority. The World Health Organization said testing is the backbone of the war on coronavirus. Except in Wales, it seems – or does Welsh government know something the WHO doesn’t?”
The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, has confirmed the Welsh government will 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 the government would report on the number of tests it had carried out weekly.The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, has confirmed the Welsh government will 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 the government would report on the number of tests it had carried out weekly.
The justice secretary, Robert Buckland, has told MPs that of 13 prisoners to have contracted Covid-19 and lost their lives, one has died within prison walls.
Appearing before a remote session of the joint committee on human rights, Buckland said the individual died in a palliative care unit within a prison and a doctor was in attendance.
Twelve other prisoners have tested positive for the coronavirus and died in hospital.
The most recently available figures revealed that as of 5pm on Thursday, there were 255 infected prisoners across 62 prisons. There are 81,500 prisoners in England and Wales across 117 prisons.
An update for figures as of Sunday is expected later.
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.
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.
There were 276 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the total in Wales to 7,546.
The full summary of today’s figures for Wales is here.
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:
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.
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.
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 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.