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UK coronavirus live: minister admits government may fail to hit testing target | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Robert Buckland says government would have been criticised if target had been unambitious, while Boris Johnson will take daily briefing later | Robert Buckland says government would have been criticised if target had been unambitious, while Boris Johnson will take daily briefing later |
All families of frontline NHS Scotland staff who die as a result of coronavirus will receive financial support, Holyrood’s health secretary, Jeane Freeman, has confirmed. | |
After England and Wales announced similar schemes earlier in the week, the Scottish government will pay a total lump sum of twice the staff member’s annual earnings and a continued pension to surviving partner or dependent child in the event of a death in service. The median NHS Scotland wage is £36,241. | |
Westminster health secretary Matt Hancock has announced a £60,000 payment for families of NHS and social care workers who die from coronavirus. The Scottish scheme does not yet include social care workers. The death in service benefit, which is already part of the NHS Scotland pension scheme, is being extended to include temporary, bank and locum staff, as well as permanent NHS staff who are not in the pension scheme. | |
A total of 11 NHS staff and carers have died as a result of coronavirus in Scotland since the start of the pandemic. | |
Boris Johnson’s five tests for starting a relaxation of the lockdown are “not a good enough” guide for the long-term exit strategy from the coronavirus pandemic, the Institute for Government has warned. | |
In a new paper, Lifting Lockdown: how to approach a coronavirus exit strategy, the independent thinktank says what was good at the outset of the outbreak is not necessarily good for the end. | |
Joe Owen, one of the report’s authors, said: | |
The government has set out five tests for starting to lift the lockdown, which look for: signs that the NHS is able to cope, which it believes it has achieved; that it has sufficient protective personal equipment (PPE); a “sustained and consistent” fall in the daily death rate; reliable data on decreasing infection rates; and signs that the risk of a second peak that would overwhelm the NHS can be avoided. | |
But the IfG says that while these tests might be appropriate measures of bringing a pandemic under control, they are not the basis for a long-term exit strategy. | |
An exit strategy must be based on a different approach ensuring measures are put in place “that reduce the risk of resurgence of the the disease” and give the economy a decent chance. | |
This means it must increase the capacity for testing and contact tracing and considering tighter border controls to stop fresh importation of the virus. | |
It says the next phase will be about walking the tightrope between guarding the nation’s health and re-opening businesses, schools and services, and warns against “keeping the economy on ice”. | |
The University of Oxford has partnered with pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca for the development, manufacture and large-scale distribution of the coronavirus vaccine candidate that is currently being trialled in the UK, PA Media reports. The agreement was announced today, with the details set to be finalised in the coming weeks. | |
The move will allow for rapid vaccination around the world if the candidate proves to be effective, the university said. Human trials of the vaccine developed by the University’s Jenner Institute began last week, with hundreds of people volunteering to be part of the study which received £20m in government funding. | |
There are more details in a news release from AstraZeneca here. | |
Matt Hancock, the health secretary, has welcomed the news. | |
Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, said he hoped some results of a human trial of a coronavirus vaccine would be available by the middle of June. | |
He told Today “several hundred” people have been vaccinated and the challenge now is to be able to manufacture at scale once it is approved by the regulators. | |
Robert Buckland, the justice secretary, was doing the government media round for No 10 earlier. As reported already (see 8.06am), he conceded that the government might miss its target of getting the daily number of coronavirus tests up to 100,000 by the end of April. (Although today is the last day of April, the government has said we might have to wait until Saturday until we officially know whether or not the target has been hit, because it takes time to find out what has happened with home-testing kits.) | Robert Buckland, the justice secretary, was doing the government media round for No 10 earlier. As reported already (see 8.06am), he conceded that the government might miss its target of getting the daily number of coronavirus tests up to 100,000 by the end of April. (Although today is the last day of April, the government has said we might have to wait until Saturday until we officially know whether or not the target has been hit, because it takes time to find out what has happened with home-testing kits.) |
Here are some of the other lines from his interviews. | Here are some of the other lines from his interviews. |
Buckland said that Nicola Sturgeon was right to warn that it might not be possible to lift any lockdown measures next week. The government has to review the lockdown measures by next Thursday, three weeks after the original measures were extended. In an interview on ITV’s Peston programme last night Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, said that it might be impossible to relax any of the measures currently in place. She said: | Buckland said that Nicola Sturgeon was right to warn that it might not be possible to lift any lockdown measures next week. The government has to review the lockdown measures by next Thursday, three weeks after the original measures were extended. In an interview on ITV’s Peston programme last night Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, said that it might be impossible to relax any of the measures currently in place. She said: |
Asked about her comment, Buckland said Sturgeon was “right to be cautious”. He went on: | Asked about her comment, Buckland said Sturgeon was “right to be cautious”. He went on: |
He also said that, although a lot of work was going on in government on what might happen in the next phase, that did not mean there would be a sudden move towards relaxing the rules. He said: | He also said that, although a lot of work was going on in government on what might happen in the next phase, that did not mean there would be a sudden move towards relaxing the rules. He said: |
He said that he was considering legislating to reduce the number of jurors needed for trials. (See 9.14am.) But he also said that that would “take time” and that he was looking at other measures that could be introduced to allow jurors to return to courts as early as next month. | He said that he was considering legislating to reduce the number of jurors needed for trials. (See 9.14am.) But he also said that that would “take time” and that he was looking at other measures that could be introduced to allow jurors to return to courts as early as next month. |
He said getting information about the number of coronavirus deaths in care homes was not straightforward, which was “frustrating” for government. He explained: | He said getting information about the number of coronavirus deaths in care homes was not straightforward, which was “frustrating” for government. He explained: |
Capt Tom Moore, who is celebrating his 100th birthday today (see 8.32am), has now raised more than £30m for NHS charities, according to the latest updates on his JustGiving page. | Capt Tom Moore, who is celebrating his 100th birthday today (see 8.32am), has now raised more than £30m for NHS charities, according to the latest updates on his JustGiving page. |
The number of jurors in trials could be reduced to enable courts to restart soon while observing social distancing, the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales has suggested. | The number of jurors in trials could be reduced to enable courts to restart soon while observing social distancing, the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales has suggested. |
Lord Burnett of Maldon said the judiciary was also looking at whether larger venues, such as university lecture theatres, could be used to ensure jurors keep sufficiently apart from one another during the coronavirus outbreak. | Lord Burnett of Maldon said the judiciary was also looking at whether larger venues, such as university lecture theatres, could be used to ensure jurors keep sufficiently apart from one another during the coronavirus outbreak. |
“I would support a move to reduce the number of jurors. That was done during the second world war,” Burnett told the BBC. “Plainly, it would be easier to ensure a safe trial for everybody, with social distancing and other precautions.” | “I would support a move to reduce the number of jurors. That was done during the second world war,” Burnett told the BBC. “Plainly, it would be easier to ensure a safe trial for everybody, with social distancing and other precautions.” |
Twelve jurors sit on trials in England and Wales but more are usually gathered together in a confined courtroom for the process of selecting the jury. | Twelve jurors sit on trials in England and Wales but more are usually gathered together in a confined courtroom for the process of selecting the jury. |
During the second world war the number of jurors was reduced to seven for most trials. More than one courtroom might have to be used, Burnett suggested, for each trial with a video link to a separate room for the media and public to observe. | During the second world war the number of jurors was reduced to seven for most trials. More than one courtroom might have to be used, Burnett suggested, for each trial with a video link to a separate room for the media and public to observe. |
The justice secretary, Robert Buckland, said that he hoped jury trials – suspended during the pandemic – might be able to restart as early as next month. Emergency legislation might be required if new forms of the trial system are adopted. | The justice secretary, Robert Buckland, said that he hoped jury trials – suspended during the pandemic – might be able to restart as early as next month. Emergency legislation might be required if new forms of the trial system are adopted. |
The suspension of most hearings has heightened concern about the backlog of cases that was already building up in the criminal justice system due to cuts in the number of judges’ sitting days. At the end of last year there were 37,434 cases waiting to be heard in England and Wales. | The suspension of most hearings has heightened concern about the backlog of cases that was already building up in the criminal justice system due to cuts in the number of judges’ sitting days. At the end of last year there were 37,434 cases waiting to be heard in England and Wales. |
David Lammy, the new shadow justice secretary, said: | David Lammy, the new shadow justice secretary, said: |
Aged 108, she is the UK’s oldest known victim of coronavirus after surviving the Spanish flu outbreak nearly a century ago – but the care home where Hilda Churchill died does not want her to be forgotten. | Aged 108, she is the UK’s oldest known victim of coronavirus after surviving the Spanish flu outbreak nearly a century ago – but the care home where Hilda Churchill died does not want her to be forgotten. |
Kenyon Lodge, in Salford, Greater Manchester, is appealing to the community to help build a memorial garden to celebrate the home’s “angels”, including those who have died during the pandemic. | Kenyon Lodge, in Salford, Greater Manchester, is appealing to the community to help build a memorial garden to celebrate the home’s “angels”, including those who have died during the pandemic. |
Churchill, who died last month just eight days before her 109th birthday and a day after testing positive for Covid-19, was cared for at the home in the final months of her life. | Churchill, who died last month just eight days before her 109th birthday and a day after testing positive for Covid-19, was cared for at the home in the final months of her life. |
The former seamstress lived through two World Wars, the Great Depression of the 1930s, and the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 which killed 50 million people, including her baby sister. Born in 1911, the grandmother and matriarch of her family, had four children, 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. | The former seamstress lived through two World Wars, the Great Depression of the 1930s, and the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 which killed 50 million people, including her baby sister. Born in 1911, the grandmother and matriarch of her family, had four children, 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. |
Now the 60-bed nursing home where she lived is asking gardeners, builders and members of the public to help create a garden of remembrance at the home. | Now the 60-bed nursing home where she lived is asking gardeners, builders and members of the public to help create a garden of remembrance at the home. |
Nurse practitioner Emma Rogers made a public appeal for a tree surgeon, to trim back trees in the grounds, ground workers to build a pathway for wheelchairs, skip hire firms and fencers. Meanwhile, Local school children have also been asked to paint stones as decoration. | Nurse practitioner Emma Rogers made a public appeal for a tree surgeon, to trim back trees in the grounds, ground workers to build a pathway for wheelchairs, skip hire firms and fencers. Meanwhile, Local school children have also been asked to paint stones as decoration. |
The home also hopes to install a decking area where residents and bereaved family members, who have been denied a proper funeral due to social distancing rules, can go to reflect and remember. Rogers, launching the appeal on the Go Fund Me website, said: | The home also hopes to install a decking area where residents and bereaved family members, who have been denied a proper funeral due to social distancing rules, can go to reflect and remember. Rogers, launching the appeal on the Go Fund Me website, said: |
The home’s manager, Gulzar Nazir, said the home has lost “quite a few people” during the pandemic. | The home’s manager, Gulzar Nazir, said the home has lost “quite a few people” during the pandemic. |
A flypast is helping to mark the 100th birthday celebrations of Capt Tom Moore, the second world war veteran who has been elevated to national hero status after raising almost £30m for the NHS. | A flypast is helping to mark the 100th birthday celebrations of Capt Tom Moore, the second world war veteran who has been elevated to national hero status after raising almost £30m for the NHS. |
Moore, who captivated the country with his fundraising effort to walk 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday today, smashed his initial target of £1,000. | Moore, who captivated the country with his fundraising effort to walk 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday today, smashed his initial target of £1,000. |
A Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast of a Spitfire and a Hurricane has been organised by the RAF to mark Capt Moore’s birthday, and he has been appointed as an honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College. After watching the flypast, Capt Moore said: | A Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast of a Spitfire and a Hurricane has been organised by the RAF to mark Capt Moore’s birthday, and he has been appointed as an honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College. After watching the flypast, Capt Moore said: |
Earlier this morning, he received a special video message from the prime minister, Boris Johnson, and performer Michael Ball sang him happy birthday. In a message, which he dictated to his grandson Benjie, to mark his birthday, Capt Moore said: | Earlier this morning, he received a special video message from the prime minister, Boris Johnson, and performer Michael Ball sang him happy birthday. In a message, which he dictated to his grandson Benjie, to mark his birthday, Capt Moore said: |
A cabinet minister has acknowledged that the government may not meet its target of 100,000 daily coronavirus tests by the end of the month. | A cabinet minister has acknowledged that the government may not meet its target of 100,000 daily coronavirus tests by the end of the month. |
After intense criticism, the health secretary, Matt Hancock, pledged the country would be conducting the tests by the end of April but, with only 52,429 carried out in the 24 hours to yesterday, the justice secretary, Robert Buckland, has now conceded it might not happen. He told BBC Breakfast: | After intense criticism, the health secretary, Matt Hancock, pledged the country would be conducting the tests by the end of April but, with only 52,429 carried out in the 24 hours to yesterday, the justice secretary, Robert Buckland, has now conceded it might not happen. He told BBC Breakfast: |
He added: “Yes, 52,000 isn’t 100,000, I know that ... but we are straining every sinew to get there... If he [Hancock] hadn’t set a target he would have been criticised for being unambitious. I think now is the time in respect of this to be bold ... being brave, I think, is something we should acknowledge even if the target isn’t met today.” | He added: “Yes, 52,000 isn’t 100,000, I know that ... but we are straining every sinew to get there... If he [Hancock] hadn’t set a target he would have been criticised for being unambitious. I think now is the time in respect of this to be bold ... being brave, I think, is something we should acknowledge even if the target isn’t met today.” |
Just 52,429 tests were carried out in the UK in the 24 hours to yesterday, on 33,455 people. | Just 52,429 tests were carried out in the UK in the 24 hours to yesterday, on 33,455 people. |
An antiviral drug originally used to treat Eebola has shown “very encouraging results” at cutting recovery times for Covid-19 patients, according to a scientist leading the trials. | An antiviral drug originally used to treat Eebola has shown “very encouraging results” at cutting recovery times for Covid-19 patients, according to a scientist leading the trials. |
Abdel Babiker, professor of epidemiology and medical statistics at UCL, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: | Abdel Babiker, professor of epidemiology and medical statistics at UCL, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: |
The group of hospitalised adults with advanced coronavirus who received Remdesivir recovered “much faster” than the group that received a placebo, he said. | The group of hospitalised adults with advanced coronavirus who received Remdesivir recovered “much faster” than the group that received a placebo, he said. |
Better air quality caused by the Covid-19 lockdown has resulted in an estimated 1,700 fewer deaths in the UK, according to a study. | Better air quality caused by the Covid-19 lockdown has resulted in an estimated 1,700 fewer deaths in the UK, according to a study. |
The Europe-wide report found that levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) - produced by road traffic and heavy industry - have dropped by 40% in the past 30 days and that there has been a 10% reduction in the average level of particulate matter pollution. | The Europe-wide report found that levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) - produced by road traffic and heavy industry - have dropped by 40% in the past 30 days and that there has been a 10% reduction in the average level of particulate matter pollution. |
It has caused an estimated 11,000 fewer deaths related to air pollution across Europe, including an estimated 1,752 in the UK – the second-highest number in the study behind Germany (2,083). | It has caused an estimated 11,000 fewer deaths related to air pollution across Europe, including an estimated 1,752 in the UK – the second-highest number in the study behind Germany (2,083). |
However, the numbers are dwarfed by the Covid-19 death death toll across Europe, including the UK, where fatalities passed 26,000 yesterday and are set to rise further. | However, the numbers are dwarfed by the Covid-19 death death toll across Europe, including the UK, where fatalities passed 26,000 yesterday and are set to rise further. |
The study, by the Finland-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), found there had been a 37% drop in power generation from coal across Europe as a result of the lockdowns, while oil consumption had fallen by 33%. | The study, by the Finland-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), found there had been a 37% drop in power generation from coal across Europe as a result of the lockdowns, while oil consumption had fallen by 33%. |
Other avoided health impacts included 6,000 fewer new cases of asthma in children, 1.3 million fewer days of work absence, 1,900 avoided emergency room visits caused by asthma attacks, and 600 fewer premature births, the study said. | Other avoided health impacts included 6,000 fewer new cases of asthma in children, 1.3 million fewer days of work absence, 1,900 avoided emergency room visits caused by asthma attacks, and 600 fewer premature births, the study said. |
The study’s authors Lauri Myllyvirta and Hubert Thieriot said their analysis used detailed air quality statistical modelling to separate the effects of weather conditions and changes in emissions. The researchers wrote: | The study’s authors Lauri Myllyvirta and Hubert Thieriot said their analysis used detailed air quality statistical modelling to separate the effects of weather conditions and changes in emissions. The researchers wrote: |
“The major public health benefits of reduced coal and oil burning, over just one month are, however, a striking demonstration of the benefit to public health and quality of life if European decision-makers prioritise clean air, clean energy and clean transport in their plans to recover from the crisis, and reduce coal and oil consumption in a rapid and sustainable way.” | “The major public health benefits of reduced coal and oil burning, over just one month are, however, a striking demonstration of the benefit to public health and quality of life if European decision-makers prioritise clean air, clean energy and clean transport in their plans to recover from the crisis, and reduce coal and oil consumption in a rapid and sustainable way.” |
Good morning folks, it’s Simon Murphy here at the helm of the live blog to steer you through the start of the day’s coronavirus developments in the UK. | Good morning folks, it’s Simon Murphy here at the helm of the live blog to steer you through the start of the day’s coronavirus developments in the UK. |
As the Covid-19 death toll in the UK passed 26,000 yesterday – with new figures including fatalities in care homes as well as hospitals – Boris Johnson will today face the cameras at 5pm as he returns to the Downing Street conference later after overcoming the virus himself. Following the birth of his new child yesterday, both Johnson and others will have a chance later to thank healthcare staff battling the pandemic as the nation again unites later for Clap for Carers at 8pm. | As the Covid-19 death toll in the UK passed 26,000 yesterday – with new figures including fatalities in care homes as well as hospitals – Boris Johnson will today face the cameras at 5pm as he returns to the Downing Street conference later after overcoming the virus himself. Following the birth of his new child yesterday, both Johnson and others will have a chance later to thank healthcare staff battling the pandemic as the nation again unites later for Clap for Carers at 8pm. |
First though, the prime minister will chair cabinet as the government today looks set to miss its deadline for carrying out 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of April. Just 52, 429 tests were carried out in the UK in the 24 hours to yesterday, on 33,455 people. | First though, the prime minister will chair cabinet as the government today looks set to miss its deadline for carrying out 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of April. Just 52, 429 tests were carried out in the UK in the 24 hours to yesterday, on 33,455 people. |
Elsewhere, later this morning at 9.30am there will be a business, energy and industrial strategy Committee on coronavirus impact and digital, culture, media and sport Committee quizzing Facebook and Twitter. A World Health Organization Europe briefing will take place at 10am. | Elsewhere, later this morning at 9.30am there will be a business, energy and industrial strategy Committee on coronavirus impact and digital, culture, media and sport Committee quizzing Facebook and Twitter. A World Health Organization Europe briefing will take place at 10am. |