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| UK coronavirus live: Hancock says human vaccine trials start this week as death toll rises by 823 | UK coronavirus live: Hancock says human vaccine trials start this week as death toll rises by 823 |
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| UK hospital deaths up to 17,337; MPs vote for virtual parliament sessions; Boris Johnson speaks to Trump | UK hospital deaths up to 17,337; MPs vote for virtual parliament sessions; Boris Johnson speaks to Trump |
| That’s it from the UK coronavirus liveblog today. Please do follow the 24-hour global coronavirus liveblog for further updates - we’ll be back with you early tomorrow morning. | That’s it from the UK coronavirus liveblog today. Please do follow the 24-hour global coronavirus liveblog for further updates - we’ll be back with you early tomorrow morning. |
| Government denies it took political decision to stay out of EU ventilator scheme | Government denies it took political decision to stay out of EU ventilator scheme |
| The health secretary Matt Hancock has denied that UK ministers took a political decision not to be involved in an EU ventilator scheme, contradicting a statement from the Foreign Office permanent under-secretary Sir Simon McDonald, earlier in the day. The government has previously said the UK did not take part due to missed emails. | The health secretary Matt Hancock has denied that UK ministers took a political decision not to be involved in an EU ventilator scheme, contradicting a statement from the Foreign Office permanent under-secretary Sir Simon McDonald, earlier in the day. The government has previously said the UK did not take part due to missed emails. |
| Trials for a coronavirus vaccine to start on people in Oxford on Thursday, says government | Trials for a coronavirus vaccine to start on people in Oxford on Thursday, says government |
| A potential coronavirus vaccine being developed at the University of Oxford will be trialled on people from Thursday, said the health secretary Matt Hancock. Hancock added that he was making £22m available to Imperial to support their ongoing phase two trials, and providing £20m to the Oxford team to accelerate their trials. | A potential coronavirus vaccine being developed at the University of Oxford will be trialled on people from Thursday, said the health secretary Matt Hancock. Hancock added that he was making £22m available to Imperial to support their ongoing phase two trials, and providing £20m to the Oxford team to accelerate their trials. |
| UK hospital coronavirus deaths rise by 823 to 17,337 | UK hospital coronavirus deaths rise by 823 to 17,337 |
| The Department for Health and Social Care has published the latest UK hospital death figures: 823 new deaths were recorded, taking the total to 17,337. | The Department for Health and Social Care has published the latest UK hospital death figures: 823 new deaths were recorded, taking the total to 17,337. |
| Coronavirus deaths in England and Wales peaked on 8 April, experts claim | Coronavirus deaths in England and Wales peaked on 8 April, experts claim |
| The peak in the number of coronavirus deaths in England and Wales happened on April 8, according to scientists | The peak in the number of coronavirus deaths in England and Wales happened on April 8, according to scientists |
| ONS to investigate why 8,000 weekly ‘excess’ death toll even higher than coronavirus figures imply | ONS to investigate why 8,000 weekly ‘excess’ death toll even higher than coronavirus figures imply |
| Nick Stripe, the health analysis and life events division at the ONS, said new ONS figures showed around 8,000 “excess deaths” in the week ending 10 April. The figures revealed that deaths were at the highest level for 20 years, and double the level normally expected. | Nick Stripe, the health analysis and life events division at the ONS, said new ONS figures showed around 8,000 “excess deaths” in the week ending 10 April. The figures revealed that deaths were at the highest level for 20 years, and double the level normally expected. |
| Latest ONS figures show 20% of coronavirus deaths occurring outside hospital | Latest ONS figures show 20% of coronavirus deaths occurring outside hospital |
| In the week ending 10 April only 80.3% of coronavirus deaths took place in hospital, with the rest occurring in care homes, private homes and hospices. The ONS figures also revealed that the number of deaths in care homes in that week was double what it was just four weeks before. | In the week ending 10 April only 80.3% of coronavirus deaths took place in hospital, with the rest occurring in care homes, private homes and hospices. The ONS figures also revealed that the number of deaths in care homes in that week was double what it was just four weeks before. |
| Dozens of patients with Covid-19 have been turned away from the NHS Nightingale hospital in London because it has too few nurses | Dozens of patients with Covid-19 have been turned away from the NHS Nightingale hospital in London because it has too few nurses |
| A Guardian exclusive has revealed that dozens of patients with Covid-19 have been turned away from the NHS Nightingale hospital in London because it has too few nurses to treat them. | A Guardian exclusive has revealed that dozens of patients with Covid-19 have been turned away from the NHS Nightingale hospital in London because it has too few nurses to treat them. |
| Labour: there is ‘increasing gap’ between government claims on PPE and reality | Labour: there is ‘increasing gap’ between government claims on PPE and reality |
| Labour leader Keir Starmer said there was a “increasing gap” between what the government was stating and what was being reported on the frontline. Earlier the shadow Cabinet Office minister Rachel Reeves said the shortage of personal protective equipment was a “disgrace. | Labour leader Keir Starmer said there was a “increasing gap” between what the government was stating and what was being reported on the frontline. Earlier the shadow Cabinet Office minister Rachel Reeves said the shortage of personal protective equipment was a “disgrace. |
| Here are the main points from Matt Hancock’s press conference. | Here are the main points from Matt Hancock’s press conference. |
| Hancock, the health secretary, said an Oxford team working on a coronavirus vaccine would begin trials on humans on Thursday. He said: | Hancock, the health secretary, said an Oxford team working on a coronavirus vaccine would begin trials on humans on Thursday. He said: |
| Hancock also announced that the Oxford University project will get £20m to fund its trials. Another project based at Imperial College London will get £22.5m to support its phase two clinical trials, he said. He said he was determined to back the researchers “to the hilt”. He went on: | Hancock also announced that the Oxford University project will get £20m to fund its trials. Another project based at Imperial College London will get £22.5m to support its phase two clinical trials, he said. He said he was determined to back the researchers “to the hilt”. He went on: |
| Hancock dismissed a claim from the most senior official at the Foreign Office that the government took a political decision not to participate in an EU-wide ventilator procurement scheme. Asked about Sir Simon McDonald’s comment (see 4.17pm), Hancock said: | Hancock dismissed a claim from the most senior official at the Foreign Office that the government took a political decision not to participate in an EU-wide ventilator procurement scheme. Asked about Sir Simon McDonald’s comment (see 4.17pm), Hancock said: |
| Although Hancock’s comment sounded like a robust denial, it was less than watertight because Hancock just said he was “not aware” of any political decision to boycott the scheme and he then conflated the EU ventilator procurement scheme with a separate one covering PPE (although, as Jennifer Rankin wrote when she first reported on this in March, the original UK decision not to get involved covered all the various EU coronavirus procurement schemes.) | Although Hancock’s comment sounded like a robust denial, it was less than watertight because Hancock just said he was “not aware” of any political decision to boycott the scheme and he then conflated the EU ventilator procurement scheme with a separate one covering PPE (although, as Jennifer Rankin wrote when she first reported on this in March, the original UK decision not to get involved covered all the various EU coronavirus procurement schemes.) |
| Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England, hinted that the government is not about to change its policy on members of the public wearing masks. The government’s scientific advisory group for emergencies, Sage, discussed this today, but no new recommendations have gone to ministers yet. Van-Tam said the advice would change if the evidence justified that. But he went on: | Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England, hinted that the government is not about to change its policy on members of the public wearing masks. The government’s scientific advisory group for emergencies, Sage, discussed this today, but no new recommendations have gone to ministers yet. Van-Tam said the advice would change if the evidence justified that. But he went on: |
| Hancock said the government would start testing NHS staff who do not have coronavirus symptoms. | Hancock said the government would start testing NHS staff who do not have coronavirus symptoms. |
| Van-Tam said the “vast majority” of coronavirus was being spread by people with symptoms. But there was also likely to be some spread from symptomatic or pre-symptomatic people, he said. | Van-Tam said the “vast majority” of coronavirus was being spread by people with symptoms. But there was also likely to be some spread from symptomatic or pre-symptomatic people, he said. |
| Hancock said the government was working with 159 UK manufacturers who may be able to make PPE for the NHS. But not all offers were credible, he said. | Hancock said the government was working with 159 UK manufacturers who may be able to make PPE for the NHS. But not all offers were credible, he said. |
| Van-Tam said the UK is not yet seeing a significant downturn in new cases. he said: | Van-Tam said the UK is not yet seeing a significant downturn in new cases. he said: |
| In London the number of hospital cases is declining, after hitting a peak probably on 10 April, he said. But he said in other parts of Britain hospital cases were at “rather more of a plateau”. | In London the number of hospital cases is declining, after hitting a peak probably on 10 April, he said. But he said in other parts of Britain hospital cases were at “rather more of a plateau”. |
| The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in prisons continues to rise. | The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in prisons continues to rise. |
| As MPs heard that more than 4,000 prisoners aged over-50 were in shared cells, Ministry of Justice figures revealed that 287 prisoners had tested positive for the coronavirus across 65 prisons by 5pm on Monday, up 3% in 24 hours. | As MPs heard that more than 4,000 prisoners aged over-50 were in shared cells, Ministry of Justice figures revealed that 287 prisoners had tested positive for the coronavirus across 65 prisons by 5pm on Monday, up 3% in 24 hours. |
| There are about 81,500 prisoners in England and Wales across 117 prisons. At least 15 prisoners are known to have died from the virus. The number of infected prison staff rose 10% in the same period to 217 across 54 prisons. | There are about 81,500 prisoners in England and Wales across 117 prisons. At least 15 prisoners are known to have died from the virus. The number of infected prison staff rose 10% in the same period to 217 across 54 prisons. |
| The Prison Service is to temporarily release up to 4,000 inmates who are within two months of their release date, as well as building 500 extra cells within the prison estate to increase single-cell occupancy. | The Prison Service is to temporarily release up to 4,000 inmates who are within two months of their release date, as well as building 500 extra cells within the prison estate to increase single-cell occupancy. |
| However, there have been warnings that 15,000 would need to be released to achieve single-cell occupancy across the estate. | However, there have been warnings that 15,000 would need to be released to achieve single-cell occupancy across the estate. |
| Earlier on Tuesday, the justice committee heard that prisoners aged over 50 were particularly vulnerable to Covid-19. There are currently about 13,700 prisoners aged 50 and over in England and Wales. | Earlier on Tuesday, the justice committee heard that prisoners aged over 50 were particularly vulnerable to Covid-19. There are currently about 13,700 prisoners aged 50 and over in England and Wales. |
| Peter Clarke, the chief inspector of prisons, told a remote session of the justice committee: | Peter Clarke, the chief inspector of prisons, told a remote session of the justice committee: |
| Dozens of patients with Covid-19 have been turned away from the NHS Nightingale hospital in London because it has too few nurses to treat them, according to an exclusive from my colleagues Sarah Marsh and Denis Campbell. | Dozens of patients with Covid-19 have been turned away from the NHS Nightingale hospital in London because it has too few nurses to treat them, according to an exclusive from my colleagues Sarah Marsh and Denis Campbell. |
| The disclosure comes amid a growing belief among hospital management in the capital that the Nightingale, built to great acclaim over just nine days, is becoming a “white elephant”. | The disclosure comes amid a growing belief among hospital management in the capital that the Nightingale, built to great acclaim over just nine days, is becoming a “white elephant”. |
| The hospital has been unable to admit about 50 people with the disease and needing “life or death” care since its first patient arrived at the site in London’s Docklands on 7 April. Thirty of these people were rejected because of a lack of staff. | The hospital has been unable to admit about 50 people with the disease and needing “life or death” care since its first patient arrived at the site in London’s Docklands on 7 April. Thirty of these people were rejected because of a lack of staff. |
| Full story here: | Full story here: |
| Allowing people to drive to the countryside for exercise causes “untold anxieties” for rural communities fearful of being exposed to a greater risk of coronavirus, rural groups have told the government. | Allowing people to drive to the countryside for exercise causes “untold anxieties” for rural communities fearful of being exposed to a greater risk of coronavirus, rural groups have told the government. |
| Last week police said guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service meant it was permitted for people to drive to recreation sites, so long as they spent more time walking around than getting there in their cars. In a letter to the justice secretary, Robert Buckland, a coalition of rural groups said this stance needed to change. | Last week police said guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service meant it was permitted for people to drive to recreation sites, so long as they spent more time walking around than getting there in their cars. In a letter to the justice secretary, Robert Buckland, a coalition of rural groups said this stance needed to change. |
| The letter is from the National Farmers’ Union, the Countryside Alliance, the Country Land and Business Association and the National Rural Crime Network, whose chair is Julia Mulligan, the police and crime commissioner for North Yorkshire, where police have been stopping drivers at checkpoints. | The letter is from the National Farmers’ Union, the Countryside Alliance, the Country Land and Business Association and the National Rural Crime Network, whose chair is Julia Mulligan, the police and crime commissioner for North Yorkshire, where police have been stopping drivers at checkpoints. |
| News stories about nature and wildlife flourishing and air pollution dropping as the lockdown has reduced air and road traffic has left many people keen to retain some benefits. | News stories about nature and wildlife flourishing and air pollution dropping as the lockdown has reduced air and road traffic has left many people keen to retain some benefits. |
| Some politicians are already talking about how the future could look different – leaders in northern England have urged the government not to return to “business as usual” after the coronavirus lockdown, but to embrace positive changes the measures have led to, such as the drop in UK air pollution, writes my colleague Amy Walker. | Some politicians are already talking about how the future could look different – leaders in northern England have urged the government not to return to “business as usual” after the coronavirus lockdown, but to embrace positive changes the measures have led to, such as the drop in UK air pollution, writes my colleague Amy Walker. |
| Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, and Steve Rotheram, the mayor of Liverpool city region, said building cycling and walking networks in cities and boosting internet connections so that more people could work from home could form part of a strategy to “keep some of the benefits that we’ve been experiencing”. | Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, and Steve Rotheram, the mayor of Liverpool city region, said building cycling and walking networks in cities and boosting internet connections so that more people could work from home could form part of a strategy to “keep some of the benefits that we’ve been experiencing”. |
| Hancock says there is a huge amount still to do. | Hancock says there is a huge amount still to do. |
| But the UK has met its core goals, he says. He says it has managed to “bend down the curve” in terms of infections, and ensure that the NHS has not been overwhelmed. | But the UK has met its core goals, he says. He says it has managed to “bend down the curve” in terms of infections, and ensure that the NHS has not been overwhelmed. |
| And that’s it. The press conference is over. | And that’s it. The press conference is over. |
| Q: Yesterday Prof Yvonne Doyle from Public Health England said about 10% of coronavirus deaths were taking place outside hospital. Today the ONS figures show that is much higher. It says government figures could be 40% out. (See 10.50am.) That suggests your plan is not working. | Q: Yesterday Prof Yvonne Doyle from Public Health England said about 10% of coronavirus deaths were taking place outside hospital. Today the ONS figures show that is much higher. It says government figures could be 40% out. (See 10.50am.) That suggests your plan is not working. |
| Hancock says that 40% figure is not right. He says one of the slides shown earlier addresses this. (See 5.20pm.) | Hancock says that 40% figure is not right. He says one of the slides shown earlier addresses this. (See 5.20pm.) |
| Hancock says NHS workers should feel free to talk about what is happening at their work. That sort of transparency is important. |