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UK coronavirus live news: more than 4,300 Covid-19 related deaths in care homes in two weeks UK coronavirus live news: more than 4,300 Covid-19 related deaths in care homes in two weeks
(32 minutes later)
Data from care homes regulator spans 10-24 April; Hancock refuses to apologise to son of dead doctor; minute’s silence for key workers at 11amData from care homes regulator spans 10-24 April; Hancock refuses to apologise to son of dead doctor; minute’s silence for key workers at 11am
People around Britain have been observing a minute’s silence in honour of NHS workers, care home staff and other key workers who have lost their lives to coronavirus. Boris Johnson stood in silence in the cabinet room, alongside the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, and Sir Mark Sedwill, the cabinet secretary.
Nick Stripe, head of the health analysis and life events division at the ONS, has been speaking to the BBC about today’s coronavirus death figures released this morning. He said there have now been around 27,000 excess deaths - that is more deaths than you would expect on average for this time of year - in the four most recent weeks for which figures are available.
Of the 12,000 excess deaths in the most recent week (see 9.42am), he said that around 25% of those did not involve coronavirus being mentioned on the death certificate.
He also said that there total number of coronavirus deaths in care homes in England was probably now at least 5,500 - which is higher than the official most recent ONS figure. (See 9.55am.) He explained:
More than 4,300 people in care homes died from Covid-19 in a fortnight, according to official figures which show a sharp increase in mortality outside hospitals.More than 4,300 people in care homes died from Covid-19 in a fortnight, according to official figures which show a sharp increase in mortality outside hospitals.
Data gathered by the care homes regulator, published for the first time on Tuesday by the Office for National Statistics, showed that from 10-24 April, care homes reported 4,343 deaths from coronavirus.Data gathered by the care homes regulator, published for the first time on Tuesday by the Office for National Statistics, showed that from 10-24 April, care homes reported 4,343 deaths from coronavirus.
It marks a sharp rise in the official death toll in care homes, which stood at 1,043 up to 10 April.It marks a sharp rise in the official death toll in care homes, which stood at 1,043 up to 10 April.
Read the full story here:Read the full story here:
Workers who have been furloughed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic are being offered the opportunity to improve their numeracy and digital skills with a free online learning platform set up by the government.Workers who have been furloughed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic are being offered the opportunity to improve their numeracy and digital skills with a free online learning platform set up by the government.
The Skills Toolkit, launched on Tuesday by the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, will offer adults stuck at home during lockdown the chance to refresh their maths skills, learn how to do digital marketing, how to code and use programmes like Excel and PowerPoint, as well as how to use social media and present themselves professionally online.The Skills Toolkit, launched on Tuesday by the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, will offer adults stuck at home during lockdown the chance to refresh their maths skills, learn how to do digital marketing, how to code and use programmes like Excel and PowerPoint, as well as how to use social media and present themselves professionally online.
The government’s aim is to improve employability, boost confidence and support mental health. Launching the platform, Williamson said: “I know how difficult the recent months have been and the huge changes the coronavirus has brought on the daily lives of us all.The government’s aim is to improve employability, boost confidence and support mental health. Launching the platform, Williamson said: “I know how difficult the recent months have been and the huge changes the coronavirus has brought on the daily lives of us all.
“The high-quality and free-to-access courses on offer on our new online learning platform, the Skills Toolkit, will help those whose jobs have been affected by the outbreak, and people looking to boost their skills while they are staying at home, protecting the NHS and saving lives.”“The high-quality and free-to-access courses on offer on our new online learning platform, the Skills Toolkit, will help those whose jobs have been affected by the outbreak, and people looking to boost their skills while they are staying at home, protecting the NHS and saving lives.”
There are currently 13 courses on offer and providers include the Open University, Google and Lloyds bank. Matthew Fell, the chief UK policy director of the CBI, said: “Online learning is a great way for people to upgrade their skills at any time, but never more so than during a lockdown.”There are currently 13 courses on offer and providers include the Open University, Google and Lloyds bank. Matthew Fell, the chief UK policy director of the CBI, said: “Online learning is a great way for people to upgrade their skills at any time, but never more so than during a lockdown.”
Here are three of the most useful chart from the ONS report on weekly death figures.Here are three of the most useful chart from the ONS report on weekly death figures.
This one shows the sharp rise in coronavirus deaths, and all excess deaths (ie, above what you would expect at this time of year).This one shows the sharp rise in coronavirus deaths, and all excess deaths (ie, above what you would expect at this time of year).
This one shows coronavirus deaths by age and gender. It shows that men are more likely to die from the illness than women.This one shows coronavirus deaths by age and gender. It shows that men are more likely to die from the illness than women.
And this one shows coronavirus deaths by date and place of death. It shows that hospital deaths have been decreasing, but not care home deaths.And this one shows coronavirus deaths by date and place of death. It shows that hospital deaths have been decreasing, but not care home deaths.
The health secretary said it appears that some children with no underlying health conditions have died from a rare inflammatory syndrome which researchers believe to be linked to Covid-19.The health secretary said it appears that some children with no underlying health conditions have died from a rare inflammatory syndrome which researchers believe to be linked to Covid-19.
Italian and British medical experts are looking into a potential link between coronavirus and clusters of severe inflammatory disease being found among infants arriving in hospital with high fevers and swollen arteries.Italian and British medical experts are looking into a potential link between coronavirus and clusters of severe inflammatory disease being found among infants arriving in hospital with high fevers and swollen arteries.
Doctors in northern Italy have reported large numbers of children under the age of nine with severe cases of what appears to be Kawasaki disease, which is more common in parts of Asia.Doctors in northern Italy have reported large numbers of children under the age of nine with severe cases of what appears to be Kawasaki disease, which is more common in parts of Asia.
We have this report out of our Australia bureau:We have this report out of our Australia bureau:
Hancock told LBC he was “very worried” about reports of the new illness in children and experts were “looking into it with great urgency”. He said:Hancock told LBC he was “very worried” about reports of the new illness in children and experts were “looking into it with great urgency”. He said:
The Office for National Statistics says there were 4,316 deaths involving Covid-19 outside hospitals in England and Wales up to 17 April.The Office for National Statistics says there were 4,316 deaths involving Covid-19 outside hospitals in England and Wales up to 17 April.
Of these, 3,096 took place in care homes (up from 1,043 the week before), 883 in private homes, 190 in hospices, 61 in other communal establishments, and 86 elsewhere.Of these, 3,096 took place in care homes (up from 1,043 the week before), 883 in private homes, 190 in hospices, 61 in other communal establishments, and 86 elsewhere.
The equivalent figure for hospital deaths over this period is 14,796.The equivalent figure for hospital deaths over this period is 14,796.
The ONS numbers are based on where Covid-19 is mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, including in combination with other health conditions.The ONS numbers are based on where Covid-19 is mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, including in combination with other health conditions.
The ONS also says 4,343 deaths in care homes involving coronavirus were reported by care home providers in England to the Care Quality Commission up to 24 April. The ONS also says 4,343 deaths in care homes involving coronavirus were reported by care home providers in England to the Care Quality Commission in the fortnight up to 24 April.
The Office for National Statistics weekly death figures are out. The report is here.The Office for National Statistics weekly death figures are out. The report is here.
These figures cover the week ending Friday 17 April. (That’s week 16 in ONS-speak.)These figures cover the week ending Friday 17 April. (That’s week 16 in ONS-speak.)
Here are the main points from the ONS report.Here are the main points from the ONS report.
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, joining the blog.Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, joining the blog.
We are about to get the latest weekly death figures from the Office for National Statistics. Unlike the daily figures produced by the Department for Health and Social Care, these figures include care home deaths.We are about to get the latest weekly death figures from the Office for National Statistics. Unlike the daily figures produced by the Department for Health and Social Care, these figures include care home deaths.
Nick Stripe, head of the health analysis and life events division at the ONS, posted this on Twitter about the release yesterday.Nick Stripe, head of the health analysis and life events division at the ONS, posted this on Twitter about the release yesterday.
Scientists hope to begin clinical tests of a new anti-viral drug which has had positive results in laboratory tests against Covid-19.
Pneumagen, a University of St Andrews spin-out company, conducted three separate in-vitro studies into preventing coronavirus infections, reports PA Media.
The successful studies involved both treating infection and blocking new infections.
The chief executive, Douglas Thomson, said:
We’ve reported this morning that at least 15m more cases of domestic violence are predicted around the world this year as a result of pandemic restrictions, according to new data.
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has also calculated that tens of millions of women will not be able to access modern contraceptives this year, and millions more girls will undergo female genital mutilation or be married off by 2030.
Discussing the domestic abuse bill, which is to have its second reading in the Commons on Tuesday, Victoria Atkins told BBC Breakfast said it would introduce new powers, protective orders, and change various measures in courts to help protect victims.
In response to the huge increase in calls to helplines and engagement with web services, the government has announced a further £2m to bolster services. She added:
If you, or someone you know, need help escaping domestic violence, the NHS lists the following help lines:
Women can call the freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 at any time, day or night. The staff will offer confidential, non-judgmental information and support.
Men can call Men’s Life Advice on 0808 8010 327 (Monday and Wednesday, 9am to 8pm, and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9am to 5pm) for non-judgemntal information and support.
Men can also call ManKind on 0182 3334 244 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm)
If you identify as LGBTQ+ you can call Galop on 0800 999 5428 for emotional and practical support.
Anyone can call Karma Nirvana on 0800 5999 247 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) about forced marriage and “honour” crimes. You can also call 020 7008 0151 to speak to the government’s Forced Marriage Unit.
Hancock was asked by LBC host Nick Ferrari whether he accepted that mistakes were made in the provision of PPE. He replied:
Pushed, he added:
Asked whether it had been right to allow the Cheltenham Festival to go ahead, Hancock said there would be a review.
Hancock defended the decision to let the horse racing event go ahead in March, and said:
Hancock said that people in care homes who go to hospital for non-Covid-19 reasons will not be discharged until they are known not to have the virus, after one caller - Victor, from Loughton, Essex, who runs a care home - said 12 of his residents died when someone with Covid-19 was moved in.
Hancock said:
He also addressed Victor’s concerns about PPE in private care homes and said:
Matt Hancock is having a difficult morning. When he began to take questions from members of the public on the Nick Ferrari show on LBC, he was confronted by Intisar Chowdhury, the son of Dr Abdul Mabud Chowdhury who we heard earlier on Today. (See 7.49am.)
Challenging Hancock, Chowdhury asked why his father’s letter to the prime minister which appealed for more PPE was ignored. He said:
The health secretary replied:
Asked to response to what Hancock said, Chowdhury replied:
In response, Hancock said:
Matt Hancock’s defence of the government’s handling of PPE this morning comes after it emerged that key items of personal protective equipment (PPE) were not included in the government’s pandemic stockpile when coronavirus reached the UK, an investigation has found.
BBC Panorama reported that gowns, visors, swabs and body bags were left out of the stockpile when it was set up in 2009. Some of the items are now in short supply.
The full story is here:
A chartered flight carrying 200,000 fluid-resistant gowns is expected to arrive in Wales from Cambodia and China today, reports the South Wales Guardian.
Today’s flight has been arranged through Welsh contacts and is the first of two due to arrive this week, which will replenish vital supplies of gowns for the NHS and social care staff in Wales.
In total, 660,000 gowns will be flown in to Cardiff airport on the flights, from Phnom Penh, in Cambodia and Hangzhou, in China.
The first minister, Mark Drakeford, said:
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, has said the government has distributed more than a billion items of PPE.
Speaking to Nick Ferrari on LBC, he said:
When asked if he would wear re-used PPE that was originally designed as single-use on future visits to hospitals, Hancock said:
Online grocery sales are expected to grow by around a third during 2020, due to the “seismic impact” that Covid-19 is having on people’s shopping habits, PA Media reports.
The online grocery market is forecast to grow by 33% in 2020 to reach an estimated value of £16.8bn, up from £12.7bn in 2019, market research agency Mintel said.
The big jump follows four years in a row of slowing growth. In 2019, growth fell to a historic low of just 2.9%. Mintel estimates the market will be worth £17.9bn by 2024, growing by 41% over the five-year period.
Nick Carroll, associate director of retail research at Mintel, said:
The son of a doctor who died of coronavirus after warning Boris Johnson about a lack of protective equipment has spoken powerfully on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning.
Intisar Chowdhury, the 18-year-old son of Abdul Mabud Chowdhury, a consultant urologist at Homerton hospital in east London who died after contracting Covid-19, called on the government to apologise to all the families of healthcare workers who had died during the pandemic. He said:
The 18-year-old’s father urged the prime minister to ensure every NHS worker was protected in a direct plea on Facebook last month shortly after being taken ill with Covid-19. Following the 53-year-old’s death on 8 April, his son said he was glad that the issue was now getting the attention it needed.
But asked about the government announcement of £60,000 for every family of a healthcare worker who has died as a result of the disease, he said:
He added:
Good morning if you are joining us in the UK, I’m Alexandra Topping and I’ll be starting the UK coronavirus liveblog this morning.
Here are a roundup of today’s key stories
The UK’s coronavirus frontline has switched from hospitals to care homes, according to sector leaders who have dismissed Boris Johnson’s claim that the virus has been “wrestled to the floor” as premature.
A minute’s silence will be held across the UK later to commemorate the key workers who have died with coronavirus. Prime minister Boris Johnson, who returned to work on Monday, will join the tribute, which starts at 11am.
Grieving families of NHS and social care workers who died after contracting coronavirus in the course of their duties will be entitled to a £60,000 payment, ministers announced on Monday as the reported death toll for frontline workers rose to 134.
Ministers have held a series of high-level meetings with trades unions and business leaders amid fears that millions of people will be too fearful to return to work as pressure intensifies on the government to publish a path out of the national lockdown.
The first minister of Wales has said he is ready to move the country out of lockdown earlier than the rest of the UK as he demands more contact from ministers at Westminster.