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Coronavirus UK live: vaccine 'not likely to come to fruition this year', says Raab Coronavirus UK live: vaccine 'not likely to come to fruition this year', says Raab
(32 minutes later)
Foreign secretary says speculating on how to ease lockdown is not responsible; home testing kits for key workers run out within hours for third day; Boris Johnson to return to work on Monday Foreign secretary says speculating on how to ease lockdown is not responsible; England reports lowest increase in death toll since the end of March; Scotland deaths rise by 18, Wales deaths up by 14; Boris Johnson to return to work on Monday
Public Health Wales has announced that deaths in Wales have risen by 14 to 778. It also said that infections had increased by 178 to 9,078.
NHS England has announced that 336 people have died from coronavirus, taking England’s total to 18,420.NHS England has announced that 336 people have died from coronavirus, taking England’s total to 18,420.
This is the lowest daily rise announced by the NHS England for more than two weeks. but lower figures tend to be announced on Sundays when there are fewer staff to verify the numbers. This is the lowest daily rise announced by the NHS England since the end of March. Lower figures tend to be announced on Sundays when there are fewer staff to verify the numbers.
The victims were aged between 28 and 100 years old. Only 22 of the victims had no known underlying health condition.The victims were aged between 28 and 100 years old. Only 22 of the victims had no known underlying health condition.
At the start of the outbreak, deaths were concentrated in London. Now the deaths are more evenly spread across England. The NHS gave this breakdown:
East of England 49
London 64
Midlands 57
North East & Yorkshire 66
North West 46
South East 43
South West 11
There have been 18 more coronavirus deaths in Scotland, takings its death toll to 1,249. The Scottish Government also announced that 10,324 people have tested positive for the virus.There have been 18 more coronavirus deaths in Scotland, takings its death toll to 1,249. The Scottish Government also announced that 10,324 people have tested positive for the virus.
The director of Sense About Science and former chief executive of the Science Council has called on the government to be more open about its scientific advisory group after the Guardian revealed that Dominic Cummings has attended some of its meetings.The director of Sense About Science and former chief executive of the Science Council has called on the government to be more open about its scientific advisory group after the Guardian revealed that Dominic Cummings has attended some of its meetings.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme, Tracey Brown said “opacity is the problem”. She said: “I think the composition of that committee is something for government to justify and explain and would only make sense if government did start explaining its thinking in how it’s using the output of that committee, what weight it is giving to different advice in looking at the trade-offs that we’ve got to make to work our way through this crisis.Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme, Tracey Brown said “opacity is the problem”. She said: “I think the composition of that committee is something for government to justify and explain and would only make sense if government did start explaining its thinking in how it’s using the output of that committee, what weight it is giving to different advice in looking at the trade-offs that we’ve got to make to work our way through this crisis.
“The focusing on Sage and particular members of Sage - we’re going to see more of this circus, sort of outing of people, the differences in decisions, the differences in advice, differences in views and that kind of thing unless Government works out how to get into a better conversation with the nation.”“The focusing on Sage and particular members of Sage - we’re going to see more of this circus, sort of outing of people, the differences in decisions, the differences in advice, differences in views and that kind of thing unless Government works out how to get into a better conversation with the nation.”
While former Vote Leave campaigner Ben Warner, has been sitting in on Sage meetings alongside Dominic Cummings, his brother Marc Warner has been given a role in developing the contract tracing app.While former Vote Leave campaigner Ben Warner, has been sitting in on Sage meetings alongside Dominic Cummings, his brother Marc Warner has been given a role in developing the contract tracing app.
Marc, the founder of Faculty. AI, has been recruited to advice the government on the data science, Carole Caldwalldr reminds us.Marc, the founder of Faculty. AI, has been recruited to advice the government on the data science, Carole Caldwalldr reminds us.
Marc Warner previously co-authored a paper by Oxford’s Big Data Institute backing the concept.Marc Warner previously co-authored a paper by Oxford’s Big Data Institute backing the concept.
We should point out that the Scott Trust, the ultimate owner of the Guardian, is the sole investor in GMG Ventures, which is a minority shareholder in Faculty.We should point out that the Scott Trust, the ultimate owner of the Guardian, is the sole investor in GMG Ventures, which is a minority shareholder in Faculty.
People around the UK have come up with inventive ways to take part in the 2.6 Challenge, which involves any activity based around the numbers 2.6 or 26, to fundraise or donate to their chosen charity via twopointsixchallenge.co.People around the UK have come up with inventive ways to take part in the 2.6 Challenge, which involves any activity based around the numbers 2.6 or 26, to fundraise or donate to their chosen charity via twopointsixchallenge.co.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has sought to clarify the advice it published on Saturday about so-called “immunity passports”, which could be issued to people who have recovered from Covid-19 on the assumption that they would be immune to reinfection.The World Health Organization (WHO) has sought to clarify the advice it published on Saturday about so-called “immunity passports”, which could be issued to people who have recovered from Covid-19 on the assumption that they would be immune to reinfection.
The WHO alarmed some in the scientific community when it said, in a briefing note published on Saturday, that “there is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from Covid-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection”.The WHO alarmed some in the scientific community when it said, in a briefing note published on Saturday, that “there is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from Covid-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection”.
Late last night, the Geneva-based body walked back its statement, saying: “We expect that most people who are infected with #COVID19 will develop an antibody response that will provide some level of protection.”Late last night, the Geneva-based body walked back its statement, saying: “We expect that most people who are infected with #COVID19 will develop an antibody response that will provide some level of protection.”
Our global coronavirus blog has more:Our global coronavirus blog has more:
The involvement of the prime minister’s chief political adviser, Dominic Cummings, in meetings of the scientific group advising the UK government’s response to the coronavirus has left other attendees shocked, concerned and worried for the impartiality of advice, the Guardian can reveal.The involvement of the prime minister’s chief political adviser, Dominic Cummings, in meetings of the scientific group advising the UK government’s response to the coronavirus has left other attendees shocked, concerned and worried for the impartiality of advice, the Guardian can reveal.
One attendee of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) said they felt Cummings’ interventions had sometimes inappropriately influenced what is supposed to be an impartial scientific process. One attendee of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) said they felt Cummings’s interventions had sometimes inappropriately influenced what is supposed to be an impartial scientific process.
A second Sage attendee said they were shocked when Cummings first began participating in Sage discussions, in February, because they believed the group should be providing “unadulterated scientific data” without any political input.A second Sage attendee said they were shocked when Cummings first began participating in Sage discussions, in February, because they believed the group should be providing “unadulterated scientific data” without any political input.
The environment secretary, George Eustice, has been lined up to lead today’s Downing Street briefing.The environment secretary, George Eustice, has been lined up to lead today’s Downing Street briefing.
He is expected to be joined by Steven Powis, the medical director of the NHS.He is expected to be joined by Steven Powis, the medical director of the NHS.
Key advisers on the on the government’s scientific advisory group have cautioned against too much focus on antibody tests, amid reports that ministers have ordered up to 50m of them.Key advisers on the on the government’s scientific advisory group have cautioned against too much focus on antibody tests, amid reports that ministers have ordered up to 50m of them.
Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust and a member, said such test would be very useful, but a “distraction” until reliable tests can be found.Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust and a member, said such test would be very useful, but a “distraction” until reliable tests can be found.
And a new paper by Imperial College London, co-authored by Sage member Prof Neil Ferguson warns that these tests are only 90% reliable or less on rapid diagnostic tests.And a new paper by Imperial College London, co-authored by Sage member Prof Neil Ferguson warns that these tests are only 90% reliable or less on rapid diagnostic tests.
It cautions against using antibody tests as the basis for immunity passports.It cautions against using antibody tests as the basis for immunity passports.
It says:It says:
More than 1,250 British travellers in Bangladesh are to be brought back to the UK after the government chartered a further five repatriation flights amid the coronavirus pandemic, PA Media reports.More than 1,250 British travellers in Bangladesh are to be brought back to the UK after the government chartered a further five repatriation flights amid the coronavirus pandemic, PA Media reports.
Flights from Dhaka to London will take place between 29 April and 7 May and bring the total number of flights from Bangladesh organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to nine.Flights from Dhaka to London will take place between 29 April and 7 May and bring the total number of flights from Bangladesh organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to nine.
One of the outbound planes will carry United Nations staff and medical professionals deploying to support the Covid-19 response in Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh.One of the outbound planes will carry United Nations staff and medical professionals deploying to support the Covid-19 response in Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh.
Once completed, the government will have brought back more than 2,100 British travellers from the country in total.Once completed, the government will have brought back more than 2,100 British travellers from the country in total.
Due to the number of people already registered for a flight via the CTM website, the majority of seats are likely to be allocated to people who are on waiting lists, the FCO added.Due to the number of people already registered for a flight via the CTM website, the majority of seats are likely to be allocated to people who are on waiting lists, the FCO added.
Foreign Office minister of state Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon said:Foreign Office minister of state Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon said:
Our teams in Bangladesh and the UK continue to work around the clock to support British nationals during this difficult time and get them home safely.Our teams in Bangladesh and the UK continue to work around the clock to support British nationals during this difficult time and get them home safely.
More than 13,200 people have returned to the UK on FCO-chartered flights from 18 different countries or territories. On Thursday, the FCO said more than 3,600 Britons stranded in India would be brought home on 14 flights starting on Tuesday, bringing the total number of repatriation flights from India up to 52.More than 13,200 people have returned to the UK on FCO-chartered flights from 18 different countries or territories. On Thursday, the FCO said more than 3,600 Britons stranded in India would be brought home on 14 flights starting on Tuesday, bringing the total number of repatriation flights from India up to 52.
More than 1,700 Britons have returned from South Africa and over 1,200 people have been flown back from Peru.More than 1,700 Britons have returned from South Africa and over 1,200 people have been flown back from Peru.