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UK coronavirus live: doctors had prepared to announce Boris Johnson's death UK coronavirus live: rail unions warn against lifting lockdown to run more trains
(32 minutes later)
Prime minister reveals in interview they had a ‘death of Stalin’-type strategy in the event he died of Covid-19 Letter to leaders warns against increasing service levels amid concerns for public and workers
A further 14 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in Wales, taking the total number of deaths to 983, Public Health Wales said.
Another 174 people have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 10,329.
As of 2pm today, 12,097 people positive for coronavirus in Scotland, while 1,571 patients have sadly died.
Some 60,295 people in Scotland have been tested for the virus.
There have been a further five confirmed deaths of patients who tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, according to the Department of Health, bringing the total deaths in the region to 381.
NHS England has announced 327 new deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 21,180.
Of the 327 new deaths announced today:
- 56 occurred on May 2- 125 occurred on May 1- 43 occurred on April 30
The data also show 95 of the new deaths took place between April 1 and April 29 while the remaining eight deaths occurred in March, with the earliest new death taking place on March 28.
The figures published today by NHS England show April 8 remains the day with the highest number for the most hospital deaths occurring with a total of 867.
A “doomsday” management exercise in which Tesco, the UK’s biggest supermarket chain imagined its head office would have to shut down completely, helped the company to cope with the impact of the pandemic.
Sarah Butler has written an interesting piece, based on an interview with Tesco’s chief executive, Dave Lewis.
In January, Tesco’s first concerns about the coronavirus were focused on ensuring its non-food ranges were not affected by the impact of the outbreak in China.
But by the end of that month the supermarket had spied big potential problems looming, and had a crisis response group in place which was holding daily meetings.
Three rail unions have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, and Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, saying this is not the time to lift the lockdown and run more trains.Three rail unions have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, and Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, saying this is not the time to lift the lockdown and run more trains.
The joint letter – signed by the heads of ASLEF, RMT and the TSSA– says it is ‘completely unacceptable’ to put the lives of passengers and rail staff at risk.The joint letter – signed by the heads of ASLEF, RMT and the TSSA– says it is ‘completely unacceptable’ to put the lives of passengers and rail staff at risk.
They warn:They warn:
Deborah Buchanan, a woman in Northern Ireland who shared a final photo of her dying mum in hospital in a bid to get people to wake up to the realities of coronavirus, wrote about it on Facebook.Deborah Buchanan, a woman in Northern Ireland who shared a final photo of her dying mum in hospital in a bid to get people to wake up to the realities of coronavirus, wrote about it on Facebook.
“We had to watch her gasp her last breaths and slip away in agony. My dad says this is the worst thing he has ever felt in his life, he fears going to sleep incase he doesn’t wake up. They hadn’t left the house in weeks but still picked this up and both took very unwell,” she wrote.“We had to watch her gasp her last breaths and slip away in agony. My dad says this is the worst thing he has ever felt in his life, he fears going to sleep incase he doesn’t wake up. They hadn’t left the house in weeks but still picked this up and both took very unwell,” she wrote.
The BBC declined the opportunity today to respond publicly to the letter from culture minister Oliver Dowden, but a spokesperson did that they the broadcaster wanted to highlight comments by the prime minister earlier in the week in relation to personal protective equipment (PPE).The BBC declined the opportunity today to respond publicly to the letter from culture minister Oliver Dowden, but a spokesperson did that they the broadcaster wanted to highlight comments by the prime minister earlier in the week in relation to personal protective equipment (PPE).
Speaking at the No 10 briefing for the first time since recovering from the virus, he said:Speaking at the No 10 briefing for the first time since recovering from the virus, he said:
The BBC has stood by its defence of a Panorama investigation exposing shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) among healthcare workers, after a formal complaint from the culture secretary.The BBC has stood by its defence of a Panorama investigation exposing shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) among healthcare workers, after a formal complaint from the culture secretary.
Oliver Dowden, in a letter to the BBC director general, Tony Hall, claimed the corporation was at risk of losing the public’s confidence amid accusations of political bias.Oliver Dowden, in a letter to the BBC director general, Tony Hall, claimed the corporation was at risk of losing the public’s confidence amid accusations of political bias.
Last week Panorama reported that gowns, visors, swabs and body bags were left out of the government’s stockpile when it was set up in 2009. Some of the items are now in short supply.Last week Panorama reported that gowns, visors, swabs and body bags were left out of the government’s stockpile when it was set up in 2009. Some of the items are now in short supply.
Since the programme aired, a number of NHS workers who were interviewed for it were reported to be either longstanding members or supporters of the Labour party.Since the programme aired, a number of NHS workers who were interviewed for it were reported to be either longstanding members or supporters of the Labour party.
Dowden also referred to another recent incident in which the BBC admitted it had made a mistake by reporting that a boss of an NHS trust had contacted the broadcaster with concerns about the provision of gowns for staff during the coronavirus crisis.Dowden also referred to another recent incident in which the BBC admitted it had made a mistake by reporting that a boss of an NHS trust had contacted the broadcaster with concerns about the provision of gowns for staff during the coronavirus crisis.
“I am sure you will agree that it is vital that public confidence is maintained in the BBC’s longstanding reputation for fair and balanced reporting, and that any damage to that would be deeply concerning,” Dowden wrote in the letter, excerpts of which have been published by the Mail on Sunday.“I am sure you will agree that it is vital that public confidence is maintained in the BBC’s longstanding reputation for fair and balanced reporting, and that any damage to that would be deeply concerning,” Dowden wrote in the letter, excerpts of which have been published by the Mail on Sunday.
A spokesperson for the BBC confirmed on Sunday that it had received Dowden’s letter, adding it would respond in due course. It referred to a statement issued last week that said sources for its PPE revelations were not the doctors who appeared on the show.A spokesperson for the BBC confirmed on Sunday that it had received Dowden’s letter, adding it would respond in due course. It referred to a statement issued last week that said sources for its PPE revelations were not the doctors who appeared on the show.
There’s a moving story in Northern Ireland’s Sunday Life newspaper about a woman who shared a final photo of her dying mum in hospital in a bid to get people to wake up to the realities of coronavirus.There’s a moving story in Northern Ireland’s Sunday Life newspaper about a woman who shared a final photo of her dying mum in hospital in a bid to get people to wake up to the realities of coronavirus.
Deborah Buchanan, from Antrim, posted the image just hours after mum Joan Wright (75) died from Covid-19 on Thursday.Deborah Buchanan, from Antrim, posted the image just hours after mum Joan Wright (75) died from Covid-19 on Thursday.
“This is the reality of coronavirus. Wake up and wise up,” said Deborah, from Newtownabbey, as she urged people to stay at home.“This is the reality of coronavirus. Wake up and wise up,” said Deborah, from Newtownabbey, as she urged people to stay at home.
A view on the UK from a Chinese village which isolated itself during the worst days of the pandemic there, courtesy of a Financial Times reporter in China.A view on the UK from a Chinese village which isolated itself during the worst days of the pandemic there, courtesy of a Financial Times reporter in China.
A woman has had to bury her daughter and husband within days of each other after both died from coronavirus.A woman has had to bury her daughter and husband within days of each other after both died from coronavirus.
Tributes were paid to former police officer and Red Cross director David Whincup, 79, and his daughter Joanne Rennison, 52, who both passed away after contracting the disease.Tributes were paid to former police officer and Red Cross director David Whincup, 79, and his daughter Joanne Rennison, 52, who both passed away after contracting the disease.
MP David Davis described Whincup, from Cottingham in east Yorkshire, as an “utterly decent man”. “David was the kindest, most thoughtful and utterly decent man I have ever had the privilege to meet. He had a fantastic commitment to selfless public service. We shall all miss him greatly,” he added.MP David Davis described Whincup, from Cottingham in east Yorkshire, as an “utterly decent man”. “David was the kindest, most thoughtful and utterly decent man I have ever had the privilege to meet. He had a fantastic commitment to selfless public service. We shall all miss him greatly,” he added.
Whincup, who lived with his wife, Margaret, their daughter Joanne and granddaughter Alice, said his greatest achievement was his family. He worked as a director for the Red Cross and prior to that he was a Humberside police officer for more than 30 years.Whincup, who lived with his wife, Margaret, their daughter Joanne and granddaughter Alice, said his greatest achievement was his family. He worked as a director for the Red Cross and prior to that he was a Humberside police officer for more than 30 years.
His charity work raised thousands of pounds for causes in Hull and East Yorkshire and he supported many other charities as a founder member of Haltemprice Lions club in 1973, serving as president four times and as secretary.His charity work raised thousands of pounds for causes in Hull and East Yorkshire and he supported many other charities as a founder member of Haltemprice Lions club in 1973, serving as president four times and as secretary.
This evening’s Downing St briefing at 4pm will be fronted by Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of NHS England.
This is Ben Quinn picking up the blog again now while Nadeem takes a break.
More details on the smartphone app to trace the spread of coronavirus which will be trialled on the Isle of Wight this week before being rolled out more widely later this month. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said around 50% to 60% of people will need to use the software for it to be effective as he described it as the “best possible way to help the NHS”.
The NHSX app is part of the government’s test, track and trace strategy and will be central to its efforts in slowing the spread of coronavirus.
Contact tracing has been used extensively in South Korea, Hong Kong and Germany, where outbreaks have been contained more quickly.
The government intends to use the app and a phone team to carry out the tracing.
It will be downloaded on to smartphones and use bluetooth technology to work out when other app users are in close enough proximity to potentially spread the virus.
The data is recorded under an anonymous ID, rather than by the person’s name.
If someone starts showing symptoms, or tests positive for Covid-19, they are able to share that on the app.
The app then sends a notification warning of possible infection to all those phone users to have come in requisite proximity recently.
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has posted this video on Twitter to thank Londoners for observing the lockdown rules.
On a lighter note, actor Eddie Marsan has tackled the challenge of appearing in a new television series while in lockdown by recruiting his family as film crew and performers.
Marsan and his wife Janine juggled home-schooling their four children while capturing his scenes for ITV’s Isolation Stories, a four-part drama about families during the coronavirus pandemic.
Covid-19 outbreak restrictions saw Janine step behind the camera for the first time to help capture her husband’s performance while two of their children joined in the acting.
On his wife’s directorial debut, Marsan told the BBC Andrew Marr show on Sunday: “She was fantastic, she really took it on.
“She was moving the cameras, moving the lights, doing the sounds, cooking the lunches, everything.”
Janine explained she was given technical support by director David Blair and others via the video conferencing platform Zoom but does not think she would start a new film career.
The daily Downing Street briefing will be at 4pm today and will be led by Michael Gove and Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of NHS England.
The press conference for David King’s alternative scientific advisory group is tomorrow at 4pm.
A passenger plane has landed in the UK with 10 million pairs of surgical gloves for the NHS.
The Airbus A340 9H-EAL, with “Thank You NHS” written on its fuselage, arrived at Bournemouth Airport after picking up the supplies from Kuala Lumpur.
The aircraft, owned by Bournemouth-based European Aviation Group, touched down at around 8.15am today with the boxes of gloves then passed to NHS supplier Crest Medical, based in Warrington, which commissioned the delivery.
Paul Stoddart, European Aviation’s chairman, told the PA news agency: “Today’s flight was a total success. Twenty million gloves, that’s 10 million pairs of gloves, delivered to Crest Medical and on their way to the NHS.
“Well done everyone.”
The flight is the second to land at the airport with NHS supplies, after 120,000 surgical gowns were brought from Tianjin, northeastern China, on Tuesday.
Several more flights are scheduled to depart from Bournemouth over the next few weeks to bring back PPE.
Baroness Ros Altmann, a former minister, believes a ban on older people leaving their homes as the rest of the country surfaces from lockdown would be “age discrimination”. She said using age-based criteria to lift restrictions would send a message that older people’s lives “don’t count in the same way as others”.
NHS England’s national medical director Professor Stephen Powis said on Friday that officials are considering whether stricter measures will still apply to the elderly when lockdown is eased.
Speaking to Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday, Baroness Altmann said: “I think using an age-based criteria is fundamentally wrong and would potentially cost the lives of many people, and risk social unrest.” The life peer said many elderly people have only accepted lockdown conditions “because everyone else has got to do it,” and “lots of them” have said they would “risk going to prison” rather than continue isolating. She added “nobody would dream” of applying restrictions on the basis of skin colour, despite a higher death rate among BAME people.
“It’s not OK to discriminate on grounds of gender, or obesity, or colour of skin, but everybody is saying, let’s think about somehow discriminating on the basis of age.”
Comedian Sir Michael Palin agreed in a BBC interview that age restrictions would be “very difficult and very wrong and very unfair”.
Maria Van Kerkhove, the World Health Organisation’s technical lead on Covid-19, said that many people remain susceptible to the virus, even where transmission has been suppressed.
Asked if a second wave of infection could be likely in countries that have started to ease their lockdowns, she said: “It’s certainly possible. What we’re seeing in a number of countries that have been successful in suppressing transmission is that many more people remain susceptible.”
She added: “All countries must remain on alert for the possibility of additional transmission even if they have been successful in suppressing transmission in the first round.”
Following comments by Prime Minister Boris Johnson that face masks will be “useful” as part of measures to come out of lockdown, Dr Van Kerkhove said that masks are recommended for those who are feeling unwell.
She told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme: “We do recommend the use of masks for people who are feeling unwell, but masks alone will not solve the problem, they cannot solve the problem, and especially if you’re thinking about lockdowns and you’re thinking of lifting lockdowns.
“There has to be a number of measures that have to be put in place before lockdowns can be released and it must be done in a slow and staggered approach.”
Health secretary Matt Hancock has tweeted a link to advice to different groups who are more susceptible to Covid-19.
It comes after he responded to a Sunday Times article about people aged over 70 in lockdown by saying the “clinically vulnerable, who are advised to stay in lockdown for 12 weeks, emphatically DO NOT include all over 70s.”
There is a “great deal of logic” in targeting the nation’s youngest children to return to school first when the coronavirus lockdown lifts, the head of Ofsted has said.
Amanda Spielman said younger pupils need “routine” and, from parents’ perspectives, are those who need the most “care and oversight”.
She also said it is in all children’s best interests that they return to the classroom “as soon as possible”, but there is no single “no-brainer answer” on how to do so.
“There’s a great deal of logic in targeting younger children,” she told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme.
“We know that making normality for children is really important, the younger the children, the more they need that simple structured routine where they understand what’s happening.
“It’s hard for them to go to school one day and then not for another two weeks. So I entirely recognise and see the logic of this.
“I also think there’s a logic from the point of view of parents. The youngest children are the ones who need the greatest care and oversight.
“It’s hardest for parents to work and do all the other things they need to do if they’re also looking after perhaps several young children at the same time and trying to make sure they work through schoolwork remotely.
“If you look at the interests of children, it’s very clear that their interests are best served, in the vast majority of cases, by being back at school as soon as possible.”
Spielman said it is in the “hands of the health experts” to say what is safe and how education could be organised, and she “wouldn’t want to second guess that for one moment”.