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| UK coronavirus live: excess deaths reached almost 55,000 in early May, says ONS | UK coronavirus live: excess deaths reached almost 55,000 in early May, says ONS |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Overall deaths in England and Wales in week up to 8 May were down for the third week in a row, at 12,657 | Overall deaths in England and Wales in week up to 8 May were down for the third week in a row, at 12,657 |
| In her opening statement at the press conference Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, also said that the Scottish government was spending an extra £33m on measures to get people back to work. Most of the money would go to Fair Start Scotland and would be used to support young people, disabled people and lone parents, she said. | |
| Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, has just started giving her daily briefing. | |
| She says a further 29 coronavirus deaths have been registered in Scotland, taking the total to 2,134. | |
| At the start of the coronavirus crisis politicians and their scientific advisers seemed united, an impression created by Boris Johnson appearing with Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, and Sir Patrick Vallance, its chief scientific adviser, at the first government press conferences. | |
| But these days Johnson rarely shows up and the scientists and the politicians are engaging in the preliminary rounds of a ‘blame game’ battle that will no doubt come to a grim and acrimonious conclusion at the long-awaited public inquiry. | |
| Ministers stress they have been following the science, and this morning Thérése Coffey, the work and pensions secretary, took that formula to its logical conclusion by effectively saying it meant that, if the wrong decisions were taken, that was because the scientists gave the wrong advice. (See 9.32am.) | |
| This morning Prof John Edmunds, professor of infectious disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a member of Sage, the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, has been giving evidence to the Lords science committee and he offered a different perspective. His department has been responsible for some of the modelling that has helped to inform government decision making. But, when asked about whether schools should open, he insisted that ultimately this was a decision for politicians, not scientists. He said: | |
| The National Trust expects to take a £200m hit to its finances after closing all its properties during the lockdown. | The National Trust expects to take a £200m hit to its finances after closing all its properties during the lockdown. |
| Hilary McGrady, director general of the National Trust, told a parliamentary committee the financial blow had come after the charity shut its properties on 20 March. | |
| The £200m figure represents nearly a third of the charity’s total income in the last financial year, meaning the organisation is facing a significant shortfall. | The £200m figure represents nearly a third of the charity’s total income in the last financial year, meaning the organisation is facing a significant shortfall. |
| While McGrady said that National Trust parks and gardens would be first to reopen, the charity’s houses are unlikely to reopen before late August. She told the digital, culture, media and sport select committee that the estimated impact of Covid-19 “is going to be in the region of about £200m to the trust this year”. | |
| The trust is “desperate to open” as soon as it is safe to do so, she said, highlighting the value of the spaces for the nation’s mental wellbeing. She added: | The trust is “desperate to open” as soon as it is safe to do so, she said, highlighting the value of the spaces for the nation’s mental wellbeing. She added: |
| “But it is incredibly important just for, apart from anything else, the mental wellbeing of the nation that they can get out, and access places like the National Trust. | “But it is incredibly important just for, apart from anything else, the mental wellbeing of the nation that they can get out, and access places like the National Trust. |
| “We offer incredibly safe spaces for people to be able to visit and just, you know, have a bit of space and have access to nature and we think it’s really important to get doing that sooner rather than later.” | “We offer incredibly safe spaces for people to be able to visit and just, you know, have a bit of space and have access to nature and we think it’s really important to get doing that sooner rather than later.” |
| The trust received a total income of £634m in 2019, according to its accounts, up from £595m the year before. In 2019 it banked £192m from investment income. The market value of its investments totalled £1.3bn last year. | The trust received a total income of £634m in 2019, according to its accounts, up from £595m the year before. In 2019 it banked £192m from investment income. The market value of its investments totalled £1.3bn last year. |
| Wagamama is to reopen dozens of its restaurants across the country to expand its home delivery service. | Wagamama is to reopen dozens of its restaurants across the country to expand its home delivery service. |
| The Japanese-inspired restaurant chain, which has been forced to shut its doors to customers amid the Covid-19 pandemic, launched a trial at five of its delivery kitchens earlier this month. | The Japanese-inspired restaurant chain, which has been forced to shut its doors to customers amid the Covid-19 pandemic, launched a trial at five of its delivery kitchens earlier this month. |
| After the “successful” trials in London and Leeds, the company will reopen 24 more sites on Thursday with a further 20 next week. In total, the chain hopes to have 49 sites open for delivery by the start of June, expanding to 67 by the end of the month. | After the “successful” trials in London and Leeds, the company will reopen 24 more sites on Thursday with a further 20 next week. In total, the chain hopes to have 49 sites open for delivery by the start of June, expanding to 67 by the end of the month. |
| Sites opening on Thursday include those in Newcastle, Sheffield city centre, Liverpool, Manchester Spinningfields, as well as several in London. | Sites opening on Thursday include those in Newcastle, Sheffield city centre, Liverpool, Manchester Spinningfields, as well as several in London. |
| Wagamama said it had devised a schedule of reopening new sites that would allow staff to slowly return to delivery-only work at their own discretion. Emma Woods, the Wagamama chief executive, said: | |
| The Queen has discussed “the state of the world” and the Covid-19 pandemic with the Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau. | The Queen has discussed “the state of the world” and the Covid-19 pandemic with the Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau. |
| The 94-year-old monarch, who is also Queen of Canada, spoke to Trudeau yesterday – the day of her official birthday in the country. Trudeau tweeted: | The 94-year-old monarch, who is also Queen of Canada, spoke to Trudeau yesterday – the day of her official birthday in the country. Trudeau tweeted: |
| Victoria Day - 18 May - is the Queen’s official birthday in Canada. As monarch of the Commonwealth, the Queen has a strong bond with Canada. It has been her most frequent overseas destination, visiting it more than 20 times. | Victoria Day - 18 May - is the Queen’s official birthday in Canada. As monarch of the Commonwealth, the Queen has a strong bond with Canada. It has been her most frequent overseas destination, visiting it more than 20 times. |
| As a young child in the 1970s, Trudeau met the Queen several times through his father, Pierre Trudeau, who was one of Canada’s longest-serving prime ministers. | As a young child in the 1970s, Trudeau met the Queen several times through his father, Pierre Trudeau, who was one of Canada’s longest-serving prime ministers. |
| The government has issued a response to the ONS death figures figures out today. (See 9.44am, 10.11am, 10.42am and 10.56am.) A spokesperson for the Department for Health and Social Care said: | The government has issued a response to the ONS death figures figures out today. (See 9.44am, 10.11am, 10.42am and 10.56am.) A spokesperson for the Department for Health and Social Care said: |
| The Treasury has quadrupled the value of loans available to larger businesses affected by coronavirus. In an announcement this morning it said that companies would now be able to receive up to £200m from the coronavirus large business interruption loan scheme, which previously had a maximum payout of £50m. It said that loans under the expanded scheme would be made available to firms from Tuesday 26 May. | The Treasury has quadrupled the value of loans available to larger businesses affected by coronavirus. In an announcement this morning it said that companies would now be able to receive up to £200m from the coronavirus large business interruption loan scheme, which previously had a maximum payout of £50m. It said that loans under the expanded scheme would be made available to firms from Tuesday 26 May. |
| So far only £359m has been made available to businesses through the coronavirus large business interruption loan scheme. But almost £19bn has been made available through the Covid corporate financing facility, more than £8bn through bounce-back loans, and £6bn through the coronavirus business interruption loan scheme. | So far only £359m has been made available to businesses through the coronavirus large business interruption loan scheme. But almost £19bn has been made available through the Covid corporate financing facility, more than £8bn through bounce-back loans, and £6bn through the coronavirus business interruption loan scheme. |
| And here are two charts from the ONS report that illustrate excess death figures. The figures relate to England and Wales. | And here are two charts from the ONS report that illustrate excess death figures. The figures relate to England and Wales. |
| This chart tracks the figures for all deaths, and the figures for coronavirus deaths. Excess deaths are those above the five-year average. | This chart tracks the figures for all deaths, and the figures for coronavirus deaths. Excess deaths are those above the five-year average. |
| And this chart shows that, although deaths not involving coronavirus were above average for six weeks in early spring, in the week ending 8 May deaths not involving coronavirus were actually below the long-term average. But, overall, the death rate that week was still well above the long-term average because of the coronavirus deaths. | And this chart shows that, although deaths not involving coronavirus were above average for six weeks in early spring, in the week ending 8 May deaths not involving coronavirus were actually below the long-term average. But, overall, the death rate that week was still well above the long-term average because of the coronavirus deaths. |
| Today’s ONS figures show that the proportion of coronavirus deaths taking place in care homes rose in early May, with care home deaths accounting for 42.4% of coronavirus-related fatalities registered in England and Wales in the week ending 8 May. This was up from 40% the previous week. | Today’s ONS figures show that the proportion of coronavirus deaths taking place in care homes rose in early May, with care home deaths accounting for 42.4% of coronavirus-related fatalities registered in England and Wales in the week ending 8 May. This was up from 40% the previous week. |
| This chart from the ONS report helps to illustrate this point. | This chart from the ONS report helps to illustrate this point. |
| The Treasury has this morning published new figures about the impact of its various coronavirus job and business support schemes showing, among other things, that 8m jobs have now been furloughed, at a cost so far of £11.1bn. | The Treasury has this morning published new figures about the impact of its various coronavirus job and business support schemes showing, among other things, that 8m jobs have now been furloughed, at a cost so far of £11.1bn. |
| A “significant percentage” of patients admitted to hospital with Covid-19 had blood clots in their lungs, a study has revealed. As PA Media reports, research carried out by a team at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) has found infection caused by coronavirus to be associated with a high incidence of venous thromboembolism, a condition in which a blood clot forms in the deep veins of the leg, groin or arm and can travel to the lungs, leading to pulmonary embolism. | A “significant percentage” of patients admitted to hospital with Covid-19 had blood clots in their lungs, a study has revealed. As PA Media reports, research carried out by a team at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) has found infection caused by coronavirus to be associated with a high incidence of venous thromboembolism, a condition in which a blood clot forms in the deep veins of the leg, groin or arm and can travel to the lungs, leading to pulmonary embolism. |
| The study, published in the Clinical Medicine Journal, was carried out at the Brighton and Sussex university hospitals NHS trust, including two acute hospital sites in southern England. | The study, published in the Clinical Medicine Journal, was carried out at the Brighton and Sussex university hospitals NHS trust, including two acute hospital sites in southern England. |
| The figure given by the ONS statistician Nick Stripe for UK excess deaths (see 10.11am) is broadly in line with the forecasts for this number that other specialists have been producing. | The figure given by the ONS statistician Nick Stripe for UK excess deaths (see 10.11am) is broadly in line with the forecasts for this number that other specialists have been producing. |
| Yesterday the Financial Times’ Chris Giles, who has been doing his own modelling for excess deaths, posted these on Twitter. | Yesterday the Financial Times’ Chris Giles, who has been doing his own modelling for excess deaths, posted these on Twitter. |
| And yesterday Jamie Jenkins, a former ONS official, produced his own latest daily estimate. | And yesterday Jamie Jenkins, a former ONS official, produced his own latest daily estimate. |
| Nick Stripe, head of the health analysis and life events division at the Office for National Statistics, told the BBC a few minutes ago that the total number of excess deaths in the UK - the number above what might expected at this time of year, judged by a five-year average, was just under 55,000 by early May. | Nick Stripe, head of the health analysis and life events division at the Office for National Statistics, told the BBC a few minutes ago that the total number of excess deaths in the UK - the number above what might expected at this time of year, judged by a five-year average, was just under 55,000 by early May. |
| Scientists, and ministers, have repeatedly said that the excess death figures will ultimately prove the most reliable guide as to how badly the UK has been hit by coronavirus. | Scientists, and ministers, have repeatedly said that the excess death figures will ultimately prove the most reliable guide as to how badly the UK has been hit by coronavirus. |
| Stripe told the BBC: | Stripe told the BBC: |
| Stripe said that within the next couple of weeks the ONS planned to publish more research looking at why the excess deaths figure was so high. But he said a report published by the ONS on Friday, on deaths in April, did shed some light on what was happening. He went on: | Stripe said that within the next couple of weeks the ONS planned to publish more research looking at why the excess deaths figure was so high. But he said a report published by the ONS on Friday, on deaths in April, did shed some light on what was happening. He went on: |
| Stripe said there could be two reasons for this increase. First “normal care pathways” could be disrupted; ie, fewer patients were going to hospital, because the hospitals were concentrating on coronavirus. Second, coronavirus might be a factor in these deaths, without doctors being able to confirm that. He explained: | Stripe said there could be two reasons for this increase. First “normal care pathways” could be disrupted; ie, fewer patients were going to hospital, because the hospitals were concentrating on coronavirus. Second, coronavirus might be a factor in these deaths, without doctors being able to confirm that. He explained: |
| The Office for National Statistics has just published the latest weekly death figures for England and Wales. They cover the week up to Friday 8 May (or week 19, as the ONS calls it). | The Office for National Statistics has just published the latest weekly death figures for England and Wales. They cover the week up to Friday 8 May (or week 19, as the ONS calls it). |
| Here are the main points. | Here are the main points. |
| Overall deaths in England and Wales in the week up to 8 May were down for the third week in a row, at 12,657. But they were still 3,081 above the five-year average for that week. | Overall deaths in England and Wales in the week up to 8 May were down for the third week in a row, at 12,657. But they were still 3,081 above the five-year average for that week. |
| Some 31.1% of the deaths in the week up to 8 May involved coronavirus being mentioned on the death certificate, down from 33.6% the previous week. | Some 31.1% of the deaths in the week up to 8 May involved coronavirus being mentioned on the death certificate, down from 33.6% the previous week. |
| Overall deaths in care homes in the week up to 8 May were down, from 6,409 to 4,248. But the proportion involving coronavirus was up from 37.8% the previous week to 39.2%. | Overall deaths in care homes in the week up to 8 May were down, from 6,409 to 4,248. But the proportion involving coronavirus was up from 37.8% the previous week to 39.2%. |