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UK coronavirus live: too early to reopen schools in Scotland, says Scottish government UK coronavirus live: too early to reopen schools in Scotland, says Scottish government
(32 minutes later)
Deaths in Scotland rise by 44 to 1,620; trial begins for new contact-tracing app, while MPs question government scientists and new Sage papers publishedDeaths in Scotland rise by 44 to 1,620; trial begins for new contact-tracing app, while MPs question government scientists and new Sage papers published
A third resident has died in a care home on Skye at the centre of a significant coronavirus outbreak.
The care home’s operators, HC-One, confirmed the death, which follows the deaths of two other residents at Home Farm in Portree on Monday in the latest large outbreak at a care home.
It emerged over the weekend that 30 of the home’s 34 residents and 27 staff, half its workforce, tested positive for Covid-19 after local NHS officials ordered widespread testing at the facility.
With the exception of Shetland, where there have been 54 confirmed cases and six deaths, Scotland’s islands were thought to have largely escaped the pandemic. The Skye case has shocked islanders, and a mobile testing unit run by the army has been set up to trace any other cases on the island.
No 10’s scientific advisers warned that the government should tell people not to shake hands on the same day that Boris Johnson boasted about doing so “with everybody” at a hospital where there were confirmed coronavirus patients, Rowena Mason reports.No 10’s scientific advisers warned that the government should tell people not to shake hands on the same day that Boris Johnson boasted about doing so “with everybody” at a hospital where there were confirmed coronavirus patients, Rowena Mason reports.
In the Commons earlier Matt Hancock, the health secretary, accused Rosena Allin-Khan, a shadow health minister and A&E doctor, of adopting the wrong “tone” when she asked a critical question in the Commons. She said told him that “many frontline workers feel that the government’s lack of testing has cost lives and is responsible for many families being unnecessarily torn apart in grief”.In the Commons earlier Matt Hancock, the health secretary, accused Rosena Allin-Khan, a shadow health minister and A&E doctor, of adopting the wrong “tone” when she asked a critical question in the Commons. She said told him that “many frontline workers feel that the government’s lack of testing has cost lives and is responsible for many families being unnecessarily torn apart in grief”.
Afterwards she posted a tweet defending the wording of her question.Afterwards she posted a tweet defending the wording of her question.
There have been a further 17 confirmed deaths of patients who tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, according to the Department of Health, bringing the total number of deaths there to 404.There have been a further 17 confirmed deaths of patients who tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, according to the Department of Health, bringing the total number of deaths there to 404.
Of the 17 “new” deaths, only six occurred within the most recent 24 hours. The rest occurred earlier.Of the 17 “new” deaths, only six occurred within the most recent 24 hours. The rest occurred earlier.
The full details are here.The full details are here.
The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, has published an open letter calling for people not to make unnecessary trips over the bank holiday weekend and for second home owners to stay away. The letter says:The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, has published an open letter calling for people not to make unnecessary trips over the bank holiday weekend and for second home owners to stay away. The letter says:
The letter is also signed by the chair of policing Wales, Dafydd Llywelyn, and Cllr Andrew Morgan, the leader of the Welsh Local Government Association.The letter is also signed by the chair of policing Wales, Dafydd Llywelyn, and Cllr Andrew Morgan, the leader of the Welsh Local Government Association.
School attendance in England is up, but only marginally, with just 2% of pupils who would normally attend turning up in schools last week, up from 1.8% the week before, according to official figures.School attendance in England is up, but only marginally, with just 2% of pupils who would normally attend turning up in schools last week, up from 1.8% the week before, according to official figures.
Under lockdown restrictions, schools are only open to children of key workers or those classed as vulnerable, but the numbers overall have been far lower than expected. On 30 April 191,000 children attended an education setting, compared with 175,000 on 23 April, according to Department for Education data.Under lockdown restrictions, schools are only open to children of key workers or those classed as vulnerable, but the numbers overall have been far lower than expected. On 30 April 191,000 children attended an education setting, compared with 175,000 on 23 April, according to Department for Education data.
Attendance among vulnerable children is also up, from 50,000 to 58,000, but this still only represents 12% of all children and young people classified as children in need or those who have an education, health and care plan for special educational needs, all of whom are entitled to a school place.Attendance among vulnerable children is also up, from 50,000 to 58,000, but this still only represents 12% of all children and young people classified as children in need or those who have an education, health and care plan for special educational needs, all of whom are entitled to a school place.
Headteachers and social services have been working to maintain regular contact with their vulnerable pupils, but many in the sector remain concerned about the impact of school closures on the most vulnerable and the potential risks of losing sight of at-risk children.Headteachers and social services have been working to maintain regular contact with their vulnerable pupils, but many in the sector remain concerned about the impact of school closures on the most vulnerable and the potential risks of losing sight of at-risk children.
With false information linking the coronavirus to 5G telecoms or Chinese labs being widely shared on social media, in this week’s episode of the Science Weekly podcast the Guardian’s science editor, Ian Sample, speaks to social psychologist Dr Daniel Jolley about why the pandemic is such fertile ground for conspiracy theories.With false information linking the coronavirus to 5G telecoms or Chinese labs being widely shared on social media, in this week’s episode of the Science Weekly podcast the Guardian’s science editor, Ian Sample, speaks to social psychologist Dr Daniel Jolley about why the pandemic is such fertile ground for conspiracy theories.
NHS dentistry will be left in an “existential crisis” if the government does not offer the industry further support, MPs have warned.NHS dentistry will be left in an “existential crisis” if the government does not offer the industry further support, MPs have warned.
Labour’s Alex Sobel said that many dental practices are “fearing bankruptcy and ultimately, closure” and will not survive the coronavirus outbreak, while the Tory MP Maria Miller highlighted the lack of PPE in dental surgeries.Labour’s Alex Sobel said that many dental practices are “fearing bankruptcy and ultimately, closure” and will not survive the coronavirus outbreak, while the Tory MP Maria Miller highlighted the lack of PPE in dental surgeries.
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, replied that it was “important to get dentistry back on its feet”.The health secretary, Matt Hancock, replied that it was “important to get dentistry back on its feet”.
Sobel said:Sobel said:
Health ministers are working “very hard” with the British Dental Association and other bodies “to make sure that dentists get the support that we need”, Hancock replied.Health ministers are working “very hard” with the British Dental Association and other bodies “to make sure that dentists get the support that we need”, Hancock replied.
Miller added that a number of dentists in her constituency of Basingstoke feel that they have not got the correct personal protective equipment to be able to carry out emergency dental procedures.Miller added that a number of dentists in her constituency of Basingstoke feel that they have not got the correct personal protective equipment to be able to carry out emergency dental procedures.
Hancock replied that he would write to her with the proposed plans for reopening dentistry, adding:Hancock replied that he would write to her with the proposed plans for reopening dentistry, adding:
The Rugby Football Union’s chief executive, Bill Sweeney, has warned it would be a “catastrophe” if next year’s Six Nations is cancelled, and says the organisation would need a government bailout if England do not play again until next summer.The Rugby Football Union’s chief executive, Bill Sweeney, has warned it would be a “catastrophe” if next year’s Six Nations is cancelled, and says the organisation would need a government bailout if England do not play again until next summer.
Sweeney has revealed the union is facing losses of at least £100m if England’s autumn internationals are played behind closed doors – a figure which rises to £122m if they are cancelled – and if next year’s Six Nations is similarly affected. He conceded:Sweeney has revealed the union is facing losses of at least £100m if England’s autumn internationals are played behind closed doors – a figure which rises to £122m if they are cancelled – and if next year’s Six Nations is similarly affected. He conceded:
The full story is here.The full story is here.
Damian Collins, the former chair of the Commons digital, culture, media and sport committee, has written to Matt Hancock with 10 questions about the new NHSX contact tracing app.
The letter to the health secretary addresses concerns that have been raised about privacy and how the data collected by the app will be used.
Virgin Atlantic has announced plans to cut 3,150 jobs and end its operation at Gatwick airport as the aviation industry struggles to survive the impact of the coronavirus crisis.
The business said uncertainty over when flying will resume as well as “unprecedented market conditions” as a result of the pandemic had “severely reduced revenues”.
The airline will reduce its workforce by more than a third and flights from Gatwick, closed due to the collapse in demand caused by the pandemic, will not restart. Some routes will be switched to Heathrow.
The Virgin Atlantic chief executive, Shai Weiss, said the carrier must take steps to “reduce our costs, preserve cash and to protect as many jobs as possible”. He said:
He added:
The airline said talks with the government about obtaining additional funding during the coronavirus lockdown “are ongoing”.
Sir Richard Branson recently warned the carrier he founded would collapse unless it received government support.
Rival airline British Airways announced last week it planned to cut 12,000 jobs.
NHS England has announced 366 more deaths of patients who tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 21,750. The full figures are here (pdf).
Of the 366 new deaths announced today:- 66 occurred on 4 May - 127 occurred on 3 May- 54 occurred on 2 May - 29 occurred on 1 May
The figures also show 85 of the new deaths took place in April while the remaining five deaths occurred in March, with the earliest new death taking place on 19 March.
NHS England releases updated figures each day showing the dates of every coronavirus-related death in hospitals in England, often including previously uncounted deaths that took place several days or even weeks ago. This is because of the time it takes for deaths to be confirmed as Covid-19 related, for post-mortem examinations to be processed and for data from the tests to be validated.
The figures published today by NHS England show 8 April continues to have the highest number for the most hospital deaths occurring on a single day, with a current total of 871.
A depleted workforce, problems with physical distancing and a lack of confidence among parents about children’s safety will present huge practical difficulties for schools reopening to more pupils, headteachers have warned.
The government has said it plans to reopen schools in phases, potentially starting as early as 1 June, with year 6 primary school children expected to return first, followed by other primary pupils and those in years 10 and 12 who are preparing for GCSEs and A-levels next summer.School leaders, however, say there are likely to be significant staffing problems. One in four who took part in a survey of more than 7,000 members of the NAHT head teachers’ union said fewer than 50% of staff were currently available to attend school, either because they had symptoms, were high risk, or were shielding or caring.Almost three in 10 (29%) said they thought it would be impossible to observe physical distancing in primary schools, and fewer than one in 10 (9%) thought it was feasible to achieve with children aged seven and under.
Ahead of reopening, the NAHT has called on the government for better guidance on physical distancing in schools, more information on how to support staff and pupils who are high risk or live with someone who is high risk and greater clarity on the science behind a return to school, as well as the availability of testing and PPE.
Paul Whiteman, the NAHT’s general secretary, said:
A separate survey of more than 2,000 members of the National Education Union raised similar concerns and revealed that almost a quarter (23%) were currently shielding because of a pre-existing medical condition or pregnancy.
Of those regularly attending school, which is still open to children of key workers and vulnerable pupils, just 11% said their school was conducting temperature checks, almost a quarter (22%) said there was insufficient soap or hand sanitiser and just over three in five said they were concerned about physical distancing measures currently in place to keep the small numbers of children still in school safe. Around half were worried about social distancing measures for staff.
Kevin Courtney, the joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
Covid-19 has claimed more than 1,000 lives in Wales, the country’s health minister, Vaughan Gething, has announced.
Gething said:
There have now been 1,023 deaths in Wales – an increase of 26 on the previous 24 hours. The full figures are here.
During the Welsh government’s daily press conference, Gething played down a leaked report from Public Health Wales that claimed more than 30,000 tests a day could be needed to track and trace coronavirus.
Gething said it was a draft plan and suggested the final daily number needed could be fewer than 9,000. Its current capacity is around 2,100 a day. Only 892 were actually carried out on Monday.
The health minister said:
The Downing Street lobby briefing has finished. Here are the main points.
Ministers are considering easing the coronavirus social distancing restrictions on people meeting outdoors, Downing Street has said. The prime minister’s spokesman said they were looking at a range of possible “easements”, as well some toughening of the rules, ahead of the expected publication on Sunday of the government’s roadmap for easing the lockdown. The spokesman said:
Asked about a suggestion by Nicola Sturgeon that people in Scotland could be allowed to meet up with “small defined groups” outdoors, the spokesman said:
The prime minister’s spokesman did not deny a report saying that the Treasury could scale back the “furlough” scheme after June, so that it would only pay 60% of wages, not 80%. The spokesman did not comment on the report. But he pointed out that yesterday, in an interview, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, said:
The spokesman did not dispute what Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, told MPs this morning about how it would have been better if testing had been increased sooner. (See 11.19am.) The spokesman said the government accepted that it would have been better to have done more testing earlier. But it did not have the capacity, the spokesman said. He said the government was starting from a lower base.
The spokesman rejected suggestions that what Vallance told MPs about being one metre away from an infected person being much more dangerous than being two metres away (see 10.06am) meant that relaxing the two-metre rule would be reckless. He said it would be important to consider any new government guidance in the round.
The spokesman indicated that, when Boris Johnson gives details of his plans to start relaxing the lockdown, he will also publish a written document setting out his plans.
The spokesman defended the decision to publish only a selection of the documents produced and considered by Sage, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies. He said some documents were withheld because they were relevant to decisions that were still being considered.
The spokesman said Boris Johnson may not have seen a Sage paper from 3 March that advised against shaking hands. Johnson was still shaking hands beyond that point.
The spokesman said that, when Boris Johnson was photographed walking in St James’s Park this morning, he was taking his daily exercise allowed under lockdown rules. (See 12.50am.)
The spokesman said the coronavirus-related absentee rate in the NHS was now 3.2% for doctors and 6.8% for nurses. One month ago those figures were 6.6% and 9.5% respectively, he said.
In the Commons Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said that he could consider a proposal for a national arboretum memorial commemorating those essential workers who have lost their lives to coronavirus. He was responding to a question from the Conservative MP Heather Wheeler, who said such a memorial would be “a fitting way to commemorate the sad loss of essential workers to Covid-19”.
Q: What options will be available for parents who do not want to send their children back to school?
Sturgeon says she has to act in partnership with the public. She suggests there would be no point saying pupils should go back to school if parents did not have confidence in that decision.
Q: The Irish government’s plan for relaxing lockdown includes specific dates. Yours doesn’t. Has the Irish taoiseach jumped the gun?
Sturgeon says she does not know what advice the Irish government has had.
She says the government will have to make choices.