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| UK coronavirus live: ONS to investigate why 8,000 weekly 'excess' death toll even higher than Covid-19 figures imply | UK coronavirus live: ONS to investigate why 8,000 weekly 'excess' death toll even higher than Covid-19 figures imply |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Scottish death toll rises; Boris Johnson to speak to Trump today – although No 10 denies he’s back at work | |
| Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s temporary release from an Iranian jail has been extended by a month, according to her MP. | |
| The British-Iranian mother has been freed from Evin prison in Tehran in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. | |
| Tulip Siddiq tweeted on Tuesday morning: | |
| Human rights charity Amnesty International said: | |
| A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: | |
| We already know that the UK non-coronavirus- related death rate has risen, but now an academic has warned that delays in treatment and diagnosis could lead to a “cancer epidemic”. | |
| New research has found that the efforts to tackle coronavirus are “significantly affecting” the treatment and care of patients with cancer, reports PA Media. | |
| The research, published in the European Journal of Cancer, highlights how the repurposing of health systems and implementation of social distancing measures, including national lockdowns, have had negative effects on patients with cancer. | |
| There have also been delays in urgent referrals and patients having their cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, postponed, or surgery being delayed. | |
| The research was conducted collaboratively by the Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Split, Croatia, and King’s College London. | |
| Queen’s University’s Prof Mark Lawler said there is a risk of a future cancer epidemic: | |
| The research also highlights that as more people are worrying about the signs and symptoms of Covid-19, less people are seeking advice on new symptoms of a possible cancer, including abnormal bleeding or new lumps on the body. | |
| The Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, has said he will have to close Manchester’s Metrolink unless the government offers financial support, because there has been a 95% drop in the number of passengers. | |
| Lord Justice Leggatt, the latest appointment to the UK’s highest court, has been sworn in at a ceremony watched online by most of his supreme court colleagues, writes my colleague Owen Bowcott. | Lord Justice Leggatt, the latest appointment to the UK’s highest court, has been sworn in at a ceremony watched online by most of his supreme court colleagues, writes my colleague Owen Bowcott. |
| As the justice system adapts to remote working, the court in Westminster held a closed ceremony in the supreme court library at which the only other justice present was the court president, Lord Reed. | As the justice system adapts to remote working, the court in Westminster held a closed ceremony in the supreme court library at which the only other justice present was the court president, Lord Reed. |
| Swearing-in ceremonies usually take place in the building’s main courtroom and are attended by all the justices, as well as by the family and friends of the judge being sworn in. Due to the coronavirus crisis, the event had to be modified and was held behind closed doors. | Swearing-in ceremonies usually take place in the building’s main courtroom and are attended by all the justices, as well as by the family and friends of the judge being sworn in. Due to the coronavirus crisis, the event had to be modified and was held behind closed doors. |
| The swearing-in could not take place entirely by video - in the way that many cases are now being heard - because the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, which established the supreme court, requires that anyone appointed as a justice must take the required oaths in the “presence” of the president of the courtLord Justice Leggatt, who read philosophy at Cambridge University, practised as a barrister mainly in commercial cases. He has previously been a high court and court of appeal judge. There are currently 10 male and two female justices on the supreme court. | The swearing-in could not take place entirely by video - in the way that many cases are now being heard - because the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, which established the supreme court, requires that anyone appointed as a justice must take the required oaths in the “presence” of the president of the courtLord Justice Leggatt, who read philosophy at Cambridge University, practised as a barrister mainly in commercial cases. He has previously been a high court and court of appeal judge. There are currently 10 male and two female justices on the supreme court. |
| The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished. Here are the main points. | The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished. Here are the main points. |
| Boris Johnson will speak to President Trump later today, in a sign that he is starting to resume some of his duties as prime minister. He is also due to have a telephone audience with the Queen later this week. The prime minister’s spokesman, as he announced that the calls would take place, refused to accept that this meant the PM was getting back to work. The PM was still recovering, the spokesman said. But he said that the call with Trump, although partly a thank you call for the message of support Trump sent when Johnson was ill, would also involve an update from Trump about what the G7 is doing to address the coronavirus crisis. (The US holds the presidency of the G7.) The spokesman also said that yesterday Johnson sent a message of condolence to Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, in relation to the shootings in Nova Scotia. | Boris Johnson will speak to President Trump later today, in a sign that he is starting to resume some of his duties as prime minister. He is also due to have a telephone audience with the Queen later this week. The prime minister’s spokesman, as he announced that the calls would take place, refused to accept that this meant the PM was getting back to work. The PM was still recovering, the spokesman said. But he said that the call with Trump, although partly a thank you call for the message of support Trump sent when Johnson was ill, would also involve an update from Trump about what the G7 is doing to address the coronavirus crisis. (The US holds the presidency of the G7.) The spokesman also said that yesterday Johnson sent a message of condolence to Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, in relation to the shootings in Nova Scotia. |
| Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary and first secretary of state, will chair a cabinet meeting on Thursday, the spokesman said. He will also take PMQs on Wednesday. | Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary and first secretary of state, will chair a cabinet meeting on Thursday, the spokesman said. He will also take PMQs on Wednesday. |
| The spokesman rejected a report claiming No 10 does not support Matt Hancock’s target of getting the number of coronavirus tests carried out each day up to 100,000 by the end of this month. The Daily Telegraph makes this claim, in a story (paywall) starting: “The health secretary’s promise that 100,000 people a day would be tested for coronavirus has been criticised as “arbitrary” and “irrational” by Downing Street sources.” The story goes on: | The spokesman rejected a report claiming No 10 does not support Matt Hancock’s target of getting the number of coronavirus tests carried out each day up to 100,000 by the end of this month. The Daily Telegraph makes this claim, in a story (paywall) starting: “The health secretary’s promise that 100,000 people a day would be tested for coronavirus has been criticised as “arbitrary” and “irrational” by Downing Street sources.” The story goes on: |
| Asked about the story, the spokesman said that the source quoted by the Telegraph was “wrong”. He said 100,000 tests a day was a government target and the government was working to achieve it. | Asked about the story, the spokesman said that the source quoted by the Telegraph was “wrong”. He said 100,000 tests a day was a government target and the government was working to achieve it. |
| Hancock will take the press conference this afternoon, the spokesman said. He will be accompanied by Prof Jonathan Van Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England. | Hancock will take the press conference this afternoon, the spokesman said. He will be accompanied by Prof Jonathan Van Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England. |
| The spokesman said the government now has the capacity to test more than 39,000 people for coronavirus every day. But the latest daily testing figure, for the number of tests carried out in the 24 hours up to 9am yesterday, was 19,306. The spokesman said that in total 97,000 NHS and care workers and their relatives have now been tested. | The spokesman said the government now has the capacity to test more than 39,000 people for coronavirus every day. But the latest daily testing figure, for the number of tests carried out in the 24 hours up to 9am yesterday, was 19,306. The spokesman said that in total 97,000 NHS and care workers and their relatives have now been tested. |
| The spokesman said the government wanted to open 50 drive-through testing centres open by the end of the month. There are 27 open now, he said. | The spokesman said the government wanted to open 50 drive-through testing centres open by the end of the month. There are 27 open now, he said. |
| The spokesman confirmed that Sage, the scientific advisory group for emergencies, is meeting today to discuss its advice on face masks. Sage is holding another meeting on Thursday. The spokesman was unable to say when Sage would come to a decision. When it was in a position to offer advice to the government, it would do so, he said. | The spokesman confirmed that Sage, the scientific advisory group for emergencies, is meeting today to discuss its advice on face masks. Sage is holding another meeting on Thursday. The spokesman was unable to say when Sage would come to a decision. When it was in a position to offer advice to the government, it would do so, he said. |
| The spokesman signalled that the government agrees with those NHS bosses who have warned that making the public wear face masks could result in fewer being available for the NHS. As the Times (paywall) reports, Chris Hopson, chief executive of the hospitals group NHS Providers, has said: | The spokesman signalled that the government agrees with those NHS bosses who have warned that making the public wear face masks could result in fewer being available for the NHS. As the Times (paywall) reports, Chris Hopson, chief executive of the hospitals group NHS Providers, has said: |
| Asked if the government agreed with this, the spokesman said that Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, recently said that if there were a conflict between NHS staff needing maskings and members of the public wanting them, NHS staff should take priority. | Asked if the government agreed with this, the spokesman said that Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, recently said that if there were a conflict between NHS staff needing maskings and members of the public wanting them, NHS staff should take priority. |
| Downing Street has not agreed to the TUC’s call for a judge-led inquiry into PPE shortages, the spokesman indicated. The TUC wants the inquiry to start by the end of this year. Asked about the TUC proposal, the spokesman did not say that the government was adopting it. But he did say that Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, made it clear at the weekend that where there were lessons to learn from what had happened, the government would seek to learn them. | Downing Street has not agreed to the TUC’s call for a judge-led inquiry into PPE shortages, the spokesman indicated. The TUC wants the inquiry to start by the end of this year. Asked about the TUC proposal, the spokesman did not say that the government was adopting it. But he did say that Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, made it clear at the weekend that where there were lessons to learn from what had happened, the government would seek to learn them. |
| The spokesman rejected claims that the UK was dependent on the consignment of PPE due to arrive from Turkey. There were many more orders for PPE in the pipeline, the spokesman said. | The spokesman rejected claims that the UK was dependent on the consignment of PPE due to arrive from Turkey. There were many more orders for PPE in the pipeline, the spokesman said. |
| A total of 985 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus, up by 70 from 915 on Monday, Nicola Sturgeon has said. In the 24 hours before there were 12 deaths recorded. | A total of 985 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus, up by 70 from 915 on Monday, Nicola Sturgeon has said. In the 24 hours before there were 12 deaths recorded. |
| The first minister said 8,672 people had now tested positive for the virus in Scotland, up by 222 from 8,450 the day before. | The first minister said 8,672 people had now tested positive for the virus in Scotland, up by 222 from 8,450 the day before. |
| There were 166 people in intensive care with coronavirus or coronavirus symptoms, a decrease of three on Monday, she added. | There were 166 people in intensive care with coronavirus or coronavirus symptoms, a decrease of three on Monday, she added. |
| There are 1,866 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, up from 1,809 yesterday. | There are 1,866 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, up from 1,809 yesterday. |
| She said the hospital figures appeared to be stabilising and numbers of people in intensive care appeared to be reducing. | She said the hospital figures appeared to be stabilising and numbers of people in intensive care appeared to be reducing. |
| Higher air pollution could be linked to increased deaths and cases of coronavirus in England, a preliminary study suggests. | Higher air pollution could be linked to increased deaths and cases of coronavirus in England, a preliminary study suggests. |
| An analysis by the Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit at Cambridge University compared regional data on total Covid-19 cases and deaths, against levels of three major air pollutants. | An analysis by the Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit at Cambridge University compared regional data on total Covid-19 cases and deaths, against levels of three major air pollutants. |
| The study used data from seven regions in England, where a minimum of 2,000 infections and 200 deaths are reported from February to 8 April and air pollution records from more than 120 sites in 2018 and 2019. | The study used data from seven regions in England, where a minimum of 2,000 infections and 200 deaths are reported from February to 8 April and air pollution records from more than 120 sites in 2018 and 2019. |
| Levels of pollutants nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxide, much of which comes from traffic fumes, were highest in London, the Midlands and the north-west and lowest in southern regions of England. | Levels of pollutants nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxide, much of which comes from traffic fumes, were highest in London, the Midlands and the north-west and lowest in southern regions of England. |
| Fatalities of people with the coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2, followed the same trend, the study found, suggesting the higher the pollution levels, the greater number of Covid-19 cases and deaths. | Fatalities of people with the coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2, followed the same trend, the study found, suggesting the higher the pollution levels, the greater number of Covid-19 cases and deaths. |
| Long-term exposure to air pollutants from car exhaust fumes or burning fossil fuels can put people at risk of these health conditions, and can also increase the risk of infection by viruses that affect people’s airways. | Long-term exposure to air pollutants from car exhaust fumes or burning fossil fuels can put people at risk of these health conditions, and can also increase the risk of infection by viruses that affect people’s airways. |
| Marco Travaglio, a PhD student at the MRC Toxicology Unit, said: | Marco Travaglio, a PhD student at the MRC Toxicology Unit, said: |
| Dr Miguel Martins, senior author on the study, added: | Dr Miguel Martins, senior author on the study, added: |
| Dave Prentis, the general secretary of Unison, a union which represents many workers in the health and care sector, said that the latest ONS figures about care home deaths (see 9.45am and 10.59am), were “shocking evidence of the government’s shambolic handling of the Covid crisis”. In a statement he went on: | Dave Prentis, the general secretary of Unison, a union which represents many workers in the health and care sector, said that the latest ONS figures about care home deaths (see 9.45am and 10.59am), were “shocking evidence of the government’s shambolic handling of the Covid crisis”. In a statement he went on: |
| There could be a “bloodbath” for the UK’s pubs and restaurants unless the government extends coronavirus support for the hospitality industry, a trade body has warned. | There could be a “bloodbath” for the UK’s pubs and restaurants unless the government extends coronavirus support for the hospitality industry, a trade body has warned. |
| The UKHospitality chief executive, Kate Nicholls, said the industry was the “canary in the coalmine” for the British economy and said firms could go to the wall without further help from Whitehall, PA Media reports. | The UKHospitality chief executive, Kate Nicholls, said the industry was the “canary in the coalmine” for the British economy and said firms could go to the wall without further help from Whitehall, PA Media reports. |
| She said unless measures on preventing evictions were extended, the industry would face a crisis when the next quarter’s payments were due in June. | She said unless measures on preventing evictions were extended, the industry would face a crisis when the next quarter’s payments were due in June. |
| The government intervention should also be extended to become a wider debt enforcement moratorium, Nicholls said. | The government intervention should also be extended to become a wider debt enforcement moratorium, Nicholls said. |
| She told MPs on the Commons Treasury committee that a breathing space of “six to nine months” was required. | She told MPs on the Commons Treasury committee that a breathing space of “six to nine months” was required. |
| She also called for the retail, hospitality and leisure grant to be extended, removing the bar on accessing the scheme for premises with a rateable value of more than 51,000. | She also called for the retail, hospitality and leisure grant to be extended, removing the bar on accessing the scheme for premises with a rateable value of more than 51,000. |
| Tributes have been paid to mental health nurse Khulisani Nkala, 46, who died on Friday after contracting coronavirus, PA Media reports. Dr Sara Munro, chief executive of Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: | Tributes have been paid to mental health nurse Khulisani Nkala, 46, who died on Friday after contracting coronavirus, PA Media reports. Dr Sara Munro, chief executive of Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: |