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UK coronavirus live: Hancock gives briefing as 360 new hospital deaths take overall toll to 21,092 UK coronavirus live: some non-Covid NHS treatments to restart, as 360 hospital deaths take toll to 21,092
(32 minutes later)
Families of NHS staff who die from coronavirus to get £60,000; Johnson says lockdown cannot yet end as second peak would be disasterFamilies of NHS staff who die from coronavirus to get £60,000; Johnson says lockdown cannot yet end as second peak would be disaster
More detail from the situation inside the country’s jails as my colleague Jamie Grierson reports that the latest Ministry of Justice figures show the increase in confirmed cases of Covid-19 among prisons in England and Wales is continuing to slow.
As at 5pm on Sunday, 324 prisoners had tested positive for the coronavirus across 71 prisons, an increase of less than one per cent in 24 hours. The number of prison staff confirmed to have the disease increased by one per cent in the same period to 296 workers across 59 prisons.
There have been 321 confirmed cases of coronavirus among prisoners and 293 among staff. There are 81,500 prisoners in England and Wales and about 33,000 staff working in public sector prisons.
Five members of prison staff and 15 prisoners are known to have contracted Covid-19 and died. The justice secretary, Robert Buckland, struck an optimistic tone earlier on Monday as he told MPs “cases and deaths are much lower than originally predicted” in prisons with “positive signs” the approach was working, although he cautioned: “We are not out of the woods yet.”
Opposition politicians in Gloucestershire have called for a public investigation into the decision to allow the Cheltenham racing festival and other sporting events to go ahead in March in the days immediately prior to the nationwide lockdown.
Data about the higher number of cases in the country compared to other parts of the south west has led to growing questions as to whether the four-day event attended by 125,000 people could have led to a spike in the numbers who caught the disease and even died.
Paul Hodgkinson, the Lib Dem opposition leader, highlighted “emerging evidence” picked up by the Somerset County gazette, which show a marked uplift in cases in Gloucestershire from March 31, a little over two weeks after the festival ended on March 13.
He said that the Lib Dems in Cheltenham “are subsequently calling for a public investigation into whether Government encouragement to proceed with sporting fixtures and mass-gatherings, at a time when other countries were struggling to contain Covid-19, increased the spread of infections throughout the UK and put the health of Cheltenham residents and visitors at risk”.
Last week the Guardian reported that public health experts said there should be an inquiry into whether Cheltenham led to a spike in coronavirus cases after mortality data showed that more people had died in Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trusts (148) than nearby two trusts in Bristol (75 and 70) plus those in Swindon (79) and Bath (50).But local public health officials have been reluctant to make any connection with the festival, arguing that Gloucestershire is a separate case from the rest of the south west, with one nearby trust, Worcestershire Acute hospitals, registering 178 deaths. They say that “a number of factors” are behind Gloucstershire’s case number.
Just 33 prisoners have so far been freed from jail early as part of efforts to stem the spread of Covid-19 despite plans to release thousands.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) pledged earlier this month to release up to 4,000 low-risk prisoners on temporary licence to ease overcrowding, as well as pregnant inmates and mothers with babies, but it has managed only a tiny fraction of that number.
It comes as there are now confirmed cases in more than half of jails in England and Wales. A total of 321 inmates are confirmed to have contracted coronavirus as of 5pm on Saturday, and 15 have died, the justice secretary has confirmed. As many as 293 prison staff have also tested positive for Covid-19 in 53 jails and five have died.
All offenders must pass a risk assessment before their release is approved. But plans to release a “significant number” over the last week had to be put on hold after six inmates were released by mistake due to an “administrative error” before being returned to prison, the MoJ said.
Answering questions in the House of Commons on Monday, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said: “Progress has, I admit, been careful and slow, but we have reached a position now where, also taking into account the release of pregnant women, a total of 33 prisoners have been released.
In another plan, low-risk offenders could be moved into temporary prison cells in the grounds of seven jails so fewer are sharing. Prison charities have launched legal action against the Justice Secretary, claiming measures taken so far to address coronavirus behind bars are “unlawful” because they will have a “manifestly insufficient impact”. They have called for a judicial review if urgent action is not taken to address their concerns.
Bad news for music fans as it has been announced, perhaps inevitably, that the annual Latitude Festival has been cancelled this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Bad news for music fans as it has been announced, perhaps inevitably, that the annual Latitude Festival has been cancelled this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The popular music and arts festival, which was due to take place in Suffolk in mid-July with headliners including Liam Gallagher, the Chemical Brothers and Haim, will offer refunds via ticketing partners or let people retain their tickets for next year. Confirming the cancellation, organisers said in a statement on Twitter:The popular music and arts festival, which was due to take place in Suffolk in mid-July with headliners including Liam Gallagher, the Chemical Brothers and Haim, will offer refunds via ticketing partners or let people retain their tickets for next year. Confirming the cancellation, organisers said in a statement on Twitter:
The statement added: “We’re going to put our all into planning the best Latitude you’ve ever been to and can’t wait to see you in July 2021. For now keep safe, keep healthy and look after each other.”The statement added: “We’re going to put our all into planning the best Latitude you’ve ever been to and can’t wait to see you in July 2021. For now keep safe, keep healthy and look after each other.”
Hancock says, if he had been told a month ago the NHS would be able to get to this point without its capacity being over-run, he would have been very pleased.Hancock says, if he had been told a month ago the NHS would be able to get to this point without its capacity being over-run, he would have been very pleased.
And that’s it. The press conference is over.And that’s it. The press conference is over.
Hancock says the new Nightingale hospitals will not be used for general medical procedures.Hancock says the new Nightingale hospitals will not be used for general medical procedures.
But they will ease the pressure on other hospitals, allowing more non-coronavirus patients to be seen.But they will ease the pressure on other hospitals, allowing more non-coronavirus patients to be seen.
Powis says the Nightingale hospitals show how the NHS can be agile and flexible, adapting its model of care.Powis says the Nightingale hospitals show how the NHS can be agile and flexible, adapting its model of care.
Q: How long will it take for NHS operations that have been suspended to be reinstated?Q: How long will it take for NHS operations that have been suspended to be reinstated?
Hancock says the most urgent treatments should be rescheduled first.Hancock says the most urgent treatments should be rescheduled first.
What happens will have to be locally driven, he says.What happens will have to be locally driven, he says.
Q: What do you know about the condition affecting a small number of children with coronavirus-type? (See 9.38am.) Q: What do you know about the condition affecting a small number of children with coronavirus-type symptoms? (See 9.38am.)
Hancock says he is “very worried” about this and officials are looking at it closely.Hancock says he is “very worried” about this and officials are looking at it closely.
Powis says only a small number of cases have appeared. But he says the NHS and Public Health England are looking into this urgently.Powis says only a small number of cases have appeared. But he says the NHS and Public Health England are looking into this urgently.
It is too early to say whether there is a link to coronavirus, he says.It is too early to say whether there is a link to coronavirus, he says.
But he says this sort of disease is very rare. If parents are worried about their children, they should ring 111, or 999. The NHS is there for sick children.But he says this sort of disease is very rare. If parents are worried about their children, they should ring 111, or 999. The NHS is there for sick children.
Whitty says this is a very rare situation. But he says it is “entirely plausible” that there is a link with coronavirus.Whitty says this is a very rare situation. But he says it is “entirely plausible” that there is a link with coronavirus.
He says the numbers involved are very small.He says the numbers involved are very small.
Here is the Health Service Journal story about this condition.Here is the Health Service Journal story about this condition.
And here is an article from our colleague Ian Sample, the Guardian’s science editor.And here is an article from our colleague Ian Sample, the Guardian’s science editor.
Q: Will the government cancel beer duty?Q: Will the government cancel beer duty?
Hancock says he will raise this suggestion with the chancellor. But he says Rishi Sunak’s loan scheme announced today is an important step.Hancock says he will raise this suggestion with the chancellor. But he says Rishi Sunak’s loan scheme announced today is an important step.
Q: So are you saying there is no plan for opening schools?Q: So are you saying there is no plan for opening schools?
Hancock says it is “too early” to make decisions on this.Hancock says it is “too early” to make decisions on this.
People should follow the social distancing rules, he says.People should follow the social distancing rules, he says.
Whitty says there is “room for manoeuvre” between where R is now, and R hitting 1.Whitty says there is “room for manoeuvre” between where R is now, and R hitting 1.
The government is looking at what options are within those boundaries, he says.The government is looking at what options are within those boundaries, he says.
He says these are ultimately decisions for ministers.He says these are ultimately decisions for ministers.
But he says there will have to be “difficult choices”. You cannot do everything people want and still keep the R below 1, he says.But he says there will have to be “difficult choices”. You cannot do everything people want and still keep the R below 1, he says.
Hancock says the NHS never stopped treating people.Hancock says the NHS never stopped treating people.
But, because it now has more capacity, it can do some procedures that were halted.But, because it now has more capacity, it can do some procedures that were halted.
Powis says the NHS is not undertaking some of the services that were paused. He says some cancer treatments were delayed for good clinical reasons.Powis says the NHS is not undertaking some of the services that were paused. He says some cancer treatments were delayed for good clinical reasons.
He says this should not be seen as evidence that the lockdown is being relaxed.He says this should not be seen as evidence that the lockdown is being relaxed.
The NHS can do this because the lockdown has been successful at reducing Covid numbers, he says.The NHS can do this because the lockdown has been successful at reducing Covid numbers, he says.
Q: To what extent has your advice on sending children to school changed? If they did go back, what impact would that have on the R number? And can children spread the virus amongst themselves?Q: To what extent has your advice on sending children to school changed? If they did go back, what impact would that have on the R number? And can children spread the virus amongst themselves?
Whitty says the great majority of children do not get coronavirus, or only have minor symptoms. But there are a small number of relatively severe cases, he says.Whitty says the great majority of children do not get coronavirus, or only have minor symptoms. But there are a small number of relatively severe cases, he says.
He says having schools open does contribute to increasing the R. Closing schools helped to get R below 1.He says having schools open does contribute to increasing the R. Closing schools helped to get R below 1.
He says there is quite a debate around the world about the contribution children make to the spread of this virus, and whether there is a difference between young children and older children. But we don’t really know, he says. It is a new disease.He says there is quite a debate around the world about the contribution children make to the spread of this virus, and whether there is a difference between young children and older children. But we don’t really know, he says. It is a new disease.
He says children probably spread this less than they spread flu. But he says people are not sure what impact opening schools would have on R.He says children probably spread this less than they spread flu. But he says people are not sure what impact opening schools would have on R.
Powis says the NHS has been worried about people not seeking treatment because they don’t want to go to hospital because of the coronavirus situation.Powis says the NHS has been worried about people not seeking treatment because they don’t want to go to hospital because of the coronavirus situation.
Attendance at A&E is down, he says.Attendance at A&E is down, he says.
He says it will become clearer over time what impact this is having on people’s health.He says it will become clearer over time what impact this is having on people’s health.
But “the NHS is always there for you”, he says.But “the NHS is always there for you”, he says.
Whitty says the government currently has an antibody test that can give a “ranging shot” as to the proportion of people who have been exposed to coronavirus.
But he says they do not have a test that can say, with absolute confidence, whether an individual has had it.
Q: There were reports over the weekend that you may start quarantining people arriving in the UK. Why did you change your mind on this? And does that mean you do not want people to holiday abroad?
Hancock says the government has been very clear that it is following the science. At the moment, given the levels of coronavirus in the UK and the low level of international travel, the impact of people arriving on the coronavirus epidemic is very low. But as these factors change, the judgment will change, he says.
Whitty says the lower the reproduction number (R), the quicker the peak will move away.
And the lower the R is, the more flexibility there is for ministers as they consider how they might ease the lockdown. The lower it is, the more “room for manoeuvre” they have.
Q: What is your estimate of R for hospitals and care homes?
Whitty says it is falling in hospitals.
It is harder to work out for care homes, he says. But he says there is new ONS data coming out tomorrow.
He says it varies from care home to care home.
Q: What explains the mismatch between what you said the death toll might be initially, and what the situation is now?
Whitty says he has always avoided putting a figure on the number of likely deaths. He repeats the point about how this has a very long way to go. He says it is a “big mistake” just to look at what is happening in the first wave.
Q: What would be a realistic figure for deaths now? We have missed the target of keeping deaths below 20,000?
Whitty says the hospital death figure is already above that. He says the all-cause mortality figure will be higher.
He says you have to look in the long run, “and this has got a very long way to run”, he says.
He says that is why he is very cautious about putting numbers on likely deaths.
Q: Will retired NHS staff who have come back to the NHS qualify for these new life insurance payments?
Hancock says this is for frontline staff in NHS and social care. And the government is looking at what other groups it might refer to.
Q: And if they take this money, that won’t stop people suing for compensation if they feel negligence has been an issue?
No, says Hancock.
Q: Why are you so keen to get the reproduction number down to 0.5. Prof Neil Ferguson says he thinks the number is between 0.6 and 0.7.
Whitty says he has never said the target is 0.5. He has said it is probably in a range between 0.5 and 1, probably around the mid point. He says he has said keeping it below 1 is essential. Above that, the disease will spread at an exponential rate.
Q: Are you on track to meet your testing target?
Hancock says he is broadly on target.
Home testing has been very popular, he says.
He says the government wants to make it as easy as possible for people to get these tests.
Hancock reads out the first question from a member of the public.
It is from Lynne, in Skipton, North Yorkshire. She has not recorded a message, so Hancock reads it out. She says she is missing her grandchildren. Will being able to hug grandchildren be one of the first steps out of lockdown?
Hancock invites Whitty to answer. Whitty says it will depend very much on whether Lynne is in a shielded group, and on her age.
Hancock says he understands how hard this is for people.
And he says this shows how questions from members of the public can be as hard to answer as questions from journalists.
Whitty is speaking now, and presenting the daily slides.
He starts with the five tests.
Next is a slide on transport use. The picture is broadly stable, he says.
Whitty says the number of coronavirus cases in hospital is falling.
But he says the number of people in critical care is not falling so quickly.
Hancock says that, from tomorrow, cancer treatments in the NHS that have been on hold will resume.