This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/may/16/uk-coronavirus-live-stop-squabbling-over-school-closures-says-childrens-commissioner

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
UK coronavirus live: 'stop squabbling' over school closures, says children's commissioner UK coronavirus live: 'stop squabbling' over school closures, says children's commissioner
(32 minutes later)
Latest updates, news and information on the Covid-19 pandemic in the UKLatest updates, news and information on the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK
A new “home-school” competition for children and young people has been launched to explore black British history and multicultural Britain.
The competition, sponsored by the National Education Union (NEU), is part of the 100 Great Black Britons campaign created by Patrick Vernon to celebrate thecontinued legacy and achievements of black people in Britain.
Kevin Courtney, NEU joint general secretary, said:
Arike Oke, managing director of Black Cultural Archives, said:
Lavinya Stennett, founder of Black Curriculum, said:
A senior British Transport Police officer has been criticised after travelling from Glasgow to his family home in Yorkshire during the lockdown.
BTP has confirmed Ch Supt Eddie Wylie returned to Yorkshire from his rented flat in Glasgow on two occasions between 21 March and 13 May, but claimed he did not breach Covid-19 regulations – after the UK went into lockdown on 23 March.
It said that on both occasions he travelled home alone and by car to minimise any possible exposure to others.
In a statement, BTP said:
However, Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said:
NHS England has announced 181 more deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths in hospitals in England to 24,527.
Of the 181 new deaths announced today:- 39 occurred on 15 May - 89 occurred on 14 May - 22 occurred on 13 May
The figures also show 23 of the new deaths took place between 3-12 May. The remaining eight deaths occurred in April, the earliest being on 4 April.
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 post-mortem examinations to be processed and for data from the tests to be validated.
The latest NHS England figures show 8 April continues to have the deadliest day of the outbreak so far, with a current total of 889.
The number of people who have died after being tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland has risen to 473 after a further four deaths were reported by the Department of Health.
Another 40 positive cases of Covid-19 were confirmed, taking the total since the outbreak began to 4,357.
The DoH dashboard is here:
A total of 2,094 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus, a rise of 41 from 2,053 on Friday, according to the latest Scottish government statistics.
The number of people to have tested positive for the virus rose to 14,447, up 187 from 14,260 the day before.
There are 59 patients with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 in intensive care, down from 71 on Friday, of whom 49 have tested positive.
There are 1,416 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, a decrease of 33.
People have been told to stay away from Loch Lomond thousands of people breached lockdown rules around the beauty spot in recent weeks, my colleagues Severin Carrell and Libby Brooks report.
Police data shows breaches have increased at weekends and on sunny days. The district, which includes the villages of Balloch and Luss on the banks of the loch, has had the highest number of lockdown breaches of any in Scotland. Police ordered 2,291 people to go home in 30 days.
A further 18 people have died after testing positive for Covid-19 in Wales, taking the total number of deaths there to 1,191, health officials said.A further 18 people have died after testing positive for Covid-19 in Wales, taking the total number of deaths there to 1,191, health officials said.
Public Health Wales said another 183 people had tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 12,142.Public Health Wales said another 183 people had tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 12,142.
Spokesman Dr Chris Williams said:Spokesman Dr Chris Williams said:
Piers Corbyn, the brother of the former Labour leader, has been led away in handcuffs after arriving at Hyde Park with a megaphone and espousing the conspiracy theory that 5G and the coronavirus pandemic are linked, calling it a “pack of lies to brainwash you and keep you in order”.Piers Corbyn, the brother of the former Labour leader, has been led away in handcuffs after arriving at Hyde Park with a megaphone and espousing the conspiracy theory that 5G and the coronavirus pandemic are linked, calling it a “pack of lies to brainwash you and keep you in order”.
He was detained after declining to leave when asked to by an officer and refusing to provide his details, PA Media reports.He was detained after declining to leave when asked to by an officer and refusing to provide his details, PA Media reports.
A group of about a dozen people has also gathered on Southampton Common to demonstrate against the lockdown. One protester, Dee, who did not wish to give her surname, said her job in the hair and beauty industry had been hit by the crisis. She told PA Media:A group of about a dozen people has also gathered on Southampton Common to demonstrate against the lockdown. One protester, Dee, who did not wish to give her surname, said her job in the hair and beauty industry had been hit by the crisis. She told PA Media:
Boris Johnson’s father has said he has not noticed criticism of the prime minister’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.Boris Johnson’s father has said he has not noticed criticism of the prime minister’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Speaking to Ta Nea, a Greek daily newspaper, Stanley Johnson said the government’s approach had been “on the right track”.Speaking to Ta Nea, a Greek daily newspaper, Stanley Johnson said the government’s approach had been “on the right track”.
He told the paper from his home in Exmoor, south-west England:He told the paper from his home in Exmoor, south-west England:
Asked about his son’s own bout of coronavirus, which included a stay in intensive care, he said he “felt as any father must feel when his son is at death’s door”.Asked about his son’s own bout of coronavirus, which included a stay in intensive care, he said he “felt as any father must feel when his son is at death’s door”.
Before strict lockdown measures were introduced, he said he would ignore his son’s advice to avoid pubs.Before strict lockdown measures were introduced, he said he would ignore his son’s advice to avoid pubs.
“Of course I’ll go to a pub if I need to go to a pub,” he said.“Of course I’ll go to a pub if I need to go to a pub,” he said.
The Department of Health has said mass high-quality testing is an integral part of dealing with coronavirus after the chair of the Royal College of GPs said doctors were concerned about the government’s strategy.The Department of Health has said mass high-quality testing is an integral part of dealing with coronavirus after the chair of the Royal College of GPs said doctors were concerned about the government’s strategy.
Prof Martin Marshall said:Prof Martin Marshall said:
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said:A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said:
Thousands of young people and frontline workers are turning to a text advice line for people in crisis during the coronavirus epidemic, as counsellors report a rise in anxiety caused by the lockdown.Thousands of young people and frontline workers are turning to a text advice line for people in crisis during the coronavirus epidemic, as counsellors report a rise in anxiety caused by the lockdown.
In the two months since Boris Johnson announced restrictions on normal life, an extra 6,000 people have contacted the Shout line and there has been a 10% increase in the number of people with anxiety. Shout often deals with young people in considerable distress, and suicidal feelings are the most common issue raised. Typically, two-thirds of people texting are aged under 25.In the two months since Boris Johnson announced restrictions on normal life, an extra 6,000 people have contacted the Shout line and there has been a 10% increase in the number of people with anxiety. Shout often deals with young people in considerable distress, and suicidal feelings are the most common issue raised. Typically, two-thirds of people texting are aged under 25.
The helpline, which was launched a year ago with the backing of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and a £3m investment from the Royal Foundation charity, reported that frontline and key workers are twice as likely as others to mention anxiety. Conversations concerning Covid-19 peaked on days where there were significant announcements, such as those about school closures and other lockdown details.The helpline, which was launched a year ago with the backing of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and a £3m investment from the Royal Foundation charity, reported that frontline and key workers are twice as likely as others to mention anxiety. Conversations concerning Covid-19 peaked on days where there were significant announcements, such as those about school closures and other lockdown details.
Around three dozen people have gathered in Hyde Park to protest against the coronavirus lockdown and the principle of mandatory vaccinations, with at least two people led away in handcuffs so far.Around three dozen people have gathered in Hyde Park to protest against the coronavirus lockdown and the principle of mandatory vaccinations, with at least two people led away in handcuffs so far.
Standing close together near Speaker’s Corner, several held placards and banners including slogans like “freedom over fear” as police, including some on horseback, looked on, PA reports.Standing close together near Speaker’s Corner, several held placards and banners including slogans like “freedom over fear” as police, including some on horseback, looked on, PA reports.
David Samson, 50, who said he works in finance, said he was attending the protest because “I never thought I’d see in my generation the suppressing of civil rights” over what he falsely described as a “fake virus”.David Samson, 50, who said he works in finance, said he was attending the protest because “I never thought I’d see in my generation the suppressing of civil rights” over what he falsely described as a “fake virus”.
A school pastoral support worker who was handcuffed by police has said misuse of stop and search powers has worsened during the coronavirus pandemic, my colleagues Ben Quinn and Frances Perraudin report.
Dwayne Francis, who was detained while waiting in his car for a post office to open on his way to work, said young black men’s negative experiences of police use of stop and search in London had got worse during the city’s lockdown.
The full story is here:
And the thread Francis posted on Twitter about this experience is here:
The Met carried out 30,608 stops in April, up from 20,981 in April 2019 and 23,783 in March this year. The force said one-in-five led to a “positive outcome”.
Researchers are investigating whether dogs can be trained to identify unique odours associated with coronavirus infection, my colleague Frances Perraudin reports.
Dogs are to be trained to try to sniff out the coronavirus before symptoms appear in humans, under trials launched with £500,000 of government funding.
Dogs have already been successfully trained to detect the odour of certain cancers, malaria and Parkinson’s disease, and a new study will look at whether labradors and cocker spaniels can be trained to detect Covid-19 in people.
Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine will carry out the first phase of a trial in collaboration with Durham University and the charity Medical Detection Dogs.
The Peak District has urged the public not to visit after its car parks filled up on the first weekend since lockdown measures were partially eased in England.
The national park said the Langsett area at the north-eastern edge of the park was “extremely busy” on Saturday morning, making physical distancing difficult.
Visitors flocked to the area despite people being asked to “think carefully” before visiting national parks and beaches (see 10.15am.).
Park bosses in the Peak District tweeted:
With the Met Office forecasting sunny conditions, members of the public are being urged to continue observing physical distancing rules and avoid potentially contributing to crowded public spaces this weekend.
Businesses in Margate have issued a “don’t visit” plea to discourage visitors on the first weekend since lockdown restrictions were eased in England, the Isle of Thanet News reports.
The Don’t Visit Margate campaign was launched on the Visit Margate website, where a letter from prominent local businesses says the area is “not ready” for visitors. It reads:
The local MP, Sir Roger Gale, also urged people not to visit and called the government’s advice on limitless travel within England “premature and possibly sheer folly”. In a thread on Twitter, he said it was “irresponsible” for people to be encouraged to visit the coast this weekend. “Baby steps towards reopening” are needed, he said, not “a leap in the dark”:
A study has found that more than half of pregnant women who were admitted to hospital with coronavirus in the UK were from a black and minority ethnic background, my colleague Aamna Mohdin reports.
The “troubling data” has prompted experts to issue guidance for midwives to remain on high alert and lower the threshold for diagnosis by medical professionals for BAME women.
The study found that 55% of pregnant women admitted to hospital with coronavirus from 1 March to 14 April were from a BAME background. The findings show women from a BAME background were four times more likely to be hospitalised with coronavirus than white women.
The study suggests that for pregnant women, being from a BAME background is a stronger predictor of the likelihood of being hospitalised with coronavirus than age and obesity.
Test, track and trace is critical as a second wave is still a possibility, Sir Mark Walport, chief executive of UK Research and Innovation, has said.
The former government chief scientific adviser told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme:
Meanwhile, Prof Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said the body was aware of concerns among healthcare workers about the accuracy and timing of some test results.
He said:
He called for GPs to be given guidance on how to help patients get tested, and asked for “transparent communication” from government.
The government needs to move away from an “arbitrary focus on numbers” to a clear testing strategy to prevent a second wave of coronavirus infections, the Royal College of GPs has said.
In a letter to the health and social care secretary, Matt Hancock, the RCGP chair, Prof Martin Marshall, said there was a lack of confidence in the government’s testing strategy - including in the accuracy and timing of results. He added that while improvements have been made, a clear and comprehensive plan is needed to stop a second swell of cases.
Marshall wrote:
He said a joined-up approach is required between the NHS, social care and community care, including care homes, which he said were on the “frontlines” of the pandemic, adding:
He stressed the importance of confidence in the testing strategy from both the healthcare profession and the general public as the government moves to ease parts of the lockdown.
The government also needed to clearly inform the public about the importance of test, track and trace, and other measures that will accompany the NHS Covid-19 tracking app, he said.
People are being asked to “think twice” before visiting national parks and beaches on the first weekend since lockdown measures were partially eased in England.
With no limit on the amount of exercise allowed and how far one can travel within England for it, an estimated 15m leisure trips will be made by car in the UK this weekend, an RCA survey indicates.
And with sunny weather predicted, the County Councils Network is urging people to stay local, warning that some facilities remain closed and places may be forced to close again if overcrowding makes physical distancing impossible.
National parks including the Lake District and the Peak District have told travellers to stay away for the sake of the communities that live there and to avoid straining the emergency services. Cornwall council also warned people to think twice before going into the sea this weekend as there won’t be any lifeguards on duty.
This, from BBC Breakfast, gives the perspective of many in seaside towns.
Good morning. Ministers and teaching unions should “stop squabbling and agree a plan” for the reopening of schools in England, the children’s commissioner for England has said. Anne Longfield said schools needed to reopen “as quickly as possible” because many disadvantaged pupils were losing out as a result of schools being closed for so long.
Teachers’ leaders met the government’s scientific advisers on Friday, but no agreement was reached on how to open schools safely. And last night the British Medical Association backed the teaching unions’ opposition to phased reopening from 1 June, saying it was “absolutely right” for the unions to urge caution and prioritise testing before reopening.
The BMA council’s chair, Chaand Nagpaul, said in a letter to his NEU counterpart, Kevin Courtney:
It comes after the revelation on Friday that the UK’s R number (reproduction rate) had risen in the past week to between 0.7 and 1. That is dangerously close to levels that could bring a second wave of infections. The data is subject to a several week long lag, there are are regional differences and the increase could also reflect what is happening in hospitals and care homes, but it has brought the government’s easing of lockdown measures in England into question.
Some local authorities, including Liverpool city council and Hartlepool borough council, have already challenged the government’s timetable amid fears that 1 June is too early to guarantee it will be safe.
However, the Times (paywall) reports that the heads of four primary school chains are preparing to defy the teaching unions and back the government’s plans to reopen to some pupils next month.
Schools in Wales will not be going back on 1 June and it is not expected that schools in Scotland or Northern Ireland will go back before the summer holidays begin.
I’ll be bringing you all the latest UK coronavirus news throughout the day, so please do get in touch if you would like to share a news tip, advice, comments or suggestions.
Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_