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/aug/06/uk-coronavirus-live-news-updates-test-and-trace-figures-due
The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 10 | Version 11 |
|---|---|
| UK coronavirus live: test and trace scheme fails to reach thousands of contacts of people testing positive | UK coronavirus live: test and trace scheme fails to reach thousands of contacts of people testing positive |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Latest figures show just 72% of close contacts reached; Aberdeen outbreak cases increase by 25; 50m masks for NHS workers deemed unusable | Latest figures show just 72% of close contacts reached; Aberdeen outbreak cases increase by 25; 50m masks for NHS workers deemed unusable |
| Nicola Sturgeon has told people living in Aberdeen they should not leave the city for any holidays as confirmed cases in the outbreak rose overnight to at least 79. | |
| The first minister said the city’s 229,000 residents had to observe the emergency lockdown rules against any non-essential journeys greater than five miles from home. That included not taking any holidays in Scotland, the UK or overseas, she said. | |
| The emergency lockdown was imposed on Wednesday after a cluster of 54 cases emerged in the city over the weekend. | |
| Some reaction to the latest test and trace results from Keith Neal, Emeritus Professor of the Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, University of Nottingham. He said: | Some reaction to the latest test and trace results from Keith Neal, Emeritus Professor of the Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, University of Nottingham. He said: |
| The executive chair of NHS Test and Trace, Dido Harding said: | The executive chair of NHS Test and Trace, Dido Harding said: |
| Here is a summary of the latest developments: | Here is a summary of the latest developments: |
| The percentage of close contacts of people who have tested positive for coronavirus in England fell to 72.4% in the week ending 29 July, down from 76.2% in the previous week. The figures will increase pressure on the government to improve performance. | The percentage of close contacts of people who have tested positive for coronavirus in England fell to 72.4% in the week ending 29 July, down from 76.2% in the previous week. The figures will increase pressure on the government to improve performance. |
| Preston could be the next area to face government intervention after a rise in coronavirus rates, the city council’s chief executive warned.Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Thursday, Adrian Phillips said: “Our rates are increasing and they have increased over the last week to a level now where we are concerned that we could face government intervention.” | Preston could be the next area to face government intervention after a rise in coronavirus rates, the city council’s chief executive warned.Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Thursday, Adrian Phillips said: “Our rates are increasing and they have increased over the last week to a level now where we are concerned that we could face government intervention.” |
| The government has admitted 50m masks bought as part of a £252m medical supplies contract awarded to an investment firm have been deemed unsuitable for use by NHS workers. The Good Law Project and EveryDoctor, which are suing the government over its contract with the supplier, Ayanda, estimate the 50m masks would have cost more than £150m. | The government has admitted 50m masks bought as part of a £252m medical supplies contract awarded to an investment firm have been deemed unsuitable for use by NHS workers. The Good Law Project and EveryDoctor, which are suing the government over its contract with the supplier, Ayanda, estimate the 50m masks would have cost more than £150m. |
| The number of Covid cases in Aberdeen, where some lockdown measures have been reintroduced has risen by 25 to 79 and is expected to increase further, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon said. She said a further 30 cases were being investigated to see if they are linked. | The number of Covid cases in Aberdeen, where some lockdown measures have been reintroduced has risen by 25 to 79 and is expected to increase further, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon said. She said a further 30 cases were being investigated to see if they are linked. |
| Thousands of NHS workers are expected to take to the streets this weekend demanding a pay rise. Unite, which has 100,000 members in the health service, said it was supporting those wishing to attend the socially distanced protests in London and other cities across the UK on Saturday morning. | Thousands of NHS workers are expected to take to the streets this weekend demanding a pay rise. Unite, which has 100,000 members in the health service, said it was supporting those wishing to attend the socially distanced protests in London and other cities across the UK on Saturday morning. |
| A chief constable has urged the government to consider greater penalties to combat illegal street parties - describing the challenges posed by Covid-19 as “the toughest times in the history of policing”. | A chief constable has urged the government to consider greater penalties to combat illegal street parties - describing the challenges posed by Covid-19 as “the toughest times in the history of policing”. |
| Dave Thompson, the head of West Midlands Police, praised members of the public for their “amazing” efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus but, writing on his blog, added: | Dave Thompson, the head of West Midlands Police, praised members of the public for their “amazing” efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus but, writing on his blog, added: |
| The prevalence of Covid-19 in England fell from 0.13% in May to 0.077% in mid-June/early July, a study commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care has found. | The prevalence of Covid-19 in England fell from 0.13% in May to 0.077% in mid-June/early July, a study commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care has found. |
| The React-1 study, carried out by Imperial College London, found 159 positive samples from 120,620 tested swabs in May, compared with 123 positive samples from 159,199 tested swabs in mid-June/early July. | The React-1 study, carried out by Imperial College London, found 159 positive samples from 120,620 tested swabs in May, compared with 123 positive samples from 159,199 tested swabs in mid-June/early July. |
| Other findings were: | Other findings were: |
| The proportion of swab-positive participants who were asymptomatic at the time of sampling increased from 69% in round one to 81% in round two. | The proportion of swab-positive participants who were asymptomatic at the time of sampling increased from 69% in round one to 81% in round two. |
| Although healthcare and care home workers were infected far more frequently than other workers in round one, the odds were markedly reduced in round two. | Although healthcare and care home workers were infected far more frequently than other workers in round one, the odds were markedly reduced in round two. |
| Age patterns of infection changed between rounds, with a reduction by a factor of five in prevalence in 18- to 24-year-olds. | Age patterns of infection changed between rounds, with a reduction by a factor of five in prevalence in 18- to 24-year-olds. |
| The data was suggestive of increased risk of infection in black and Asian (mainly south Asian) ethnicities. | The data was suggestive of increased risk of infection in black and Asian (mainly south Asian) ethnicities. |
| Increased infection intensity was detected in and near London. | Increased infection intensity was detected in and near London. |
| A continued decline in prevalence and a shift in the pattern of infection by age and occupation was found at the end of the initial lockdown in England. | A continued decline in prevalence and a shift in the pattern of infection by age and occupation was found at the end of the initial lockdown in England. |
| Paul Hunter, a professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, who was not involved with the study, said: | Paul Hunter, a professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, who was not involved with the study, said: |
| Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, says 79 Covid cases have now been associated with a cluster of infections in Aberdeen, an increase of 25 on yesterday. The outbreak there has led to some lockdown measures being reimposed in the city. | Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, says 79 Covid cases have now been associated with a cluster of infections in Aberdeen, an increase of 25 on yesterday. The outbreak there has led to some lockdown measures being reimposed in the city. |
| Sturgeon said a further 30 cases were being investigated to see if they are linked. | Sturgeon said a further 30 cases were being investigated to see if they are linked. |
| She said they were looking into whether “there is an issue of people going from one pub to another”. Sturgeon warned that every time an individual does not follow advice it poses a risk of the virus spreading. | She said they were looking into whether “there is an issue of people going from one pub to another”. Sturgeon warned that every time an individual does not follow advice it poses a risk of the virus spreading. |
| The R rate for Scotland is currently between 0.6 and 1.0, a “slight increase”. | The R rate for Scotland is currently between 0.6 and 1.0, a “slight increase”. |
| The number of people who have tested positive in Scotland has risen by 67 in a day, to 18,847. | The number of people who have tested positive in Scotland has risen by 67 in a day, to 18,847. |
| There were 270 people in hospital with confirmed Covid-19, up by three in 24 hours. Of these, four were in intensive care, an increase of one. | There were 270 people in hospital with confirmed Covid-19, up by three in 24 hours. Of these, four were in intensive care, an increase of one. |
| The first minister said there had been no coronavirus deaths in Scotland for three weeks in a row. | The first minister said there had been no coronavirus deaths in Scotland for three weeks in a row. |
| Though the government does not legally have to review the reinstatement of lockdown restrictions in much of the north of England until 19 August, an update is expected on Friday as to what happens next. | Though the government does not legally have to review the reinstatement of lockdown restrictions in much of the north of England until 19 August, an update is expected on Friday as to what happens next. |
| Some Conservative MPs have been lobbying for their constituencies to be exempt from the restrictions, which stop people having visitors in their gardens or meeting other households in the pub. In Leigh, in Wigan, new Tory MP James Grundy wrote to the health secretary, Matt Hancock, yesterday arguing against the “one-size-fits-all” approach which locked down all 2.8 million residents of Greater Manchester, even in districts like Wigan where infection rates are low. | Some Conservative MPs have been lobbying for their constituencies to be exempt from the restrictions, which stop people having visitors in their gardens or meeting other households in the pub. In Leigh, in Wigan, new Tory MP James Grundy wrote to the health secretary, Matt Hancock, yesterday arguing against the “one-size-fits-all” approach which locked down all 2.8 million residents of Greater Manchester, even in districts like Wigan where infection rates are low. |
| In Shipley, a constituency in the Bradford district, the Conservative MP Philip Davies used his column in the Bradford Telegraph yesterday to advocate for Shipley and nearby Keighley to “break away” from Bradford, arguing his constituents should not have been included in the “blanket lockdown thrown over the entire district, unnecessarily”. In Calderdale, Tory MP Craig Whittaker said that in his Calder Valley constituency in West Yorkshire it was “the BAME [black, Asian and minority ethnic] communities that are not taking this seriously enough”. Whittaker provided no evidence for his claim and was widely condemned. | In Shipley, a constituency in the Bradford district, the Conservative MP Philip Davies used his column in the Bradford Telegraph yesterday to advocate for Shipley and nearby Keighley to “break away” from Bradford, arguing his constituents should not have been included in the “blanket lockdown thrown over the entire district, unnecessarily”. In Calderdale, Tory MP Craig Whittaker said that in his Calder Valley constituency in West Yorkshire it was “the BAME [black, Asian and minority ethnic] communities that are not taking this seriously enough”. Whittaker provided no evidence for his claim and was widely condemned. |
| But few health experts believe Hancock will lift the restrictions tomorrow, after just a week, as infections continue to increase in almost all of the areas where restrictions were tightened a week ago. For example, in Stockport in Greater Manchester, the seven-day rate of positive tests per 100,000 people has risen to 25.9 for the week ending 1 August (up from 15.7 in the week ending 25 July and 7.2 the week before that). The local council says it has seen an increase in infections “in particular teenagers and younger adults, but also the 40-49 age group”. | But few health experts believe Hancock will lift the restrictions tomorrow, after just a week, as infections continue to increase in almost all of the areas where restrictions were tightened a week ago. For example, in Stockport in Greater Manchester, the seven-day rate of positive tests per 100,000 people has risen to 25.9 for the week ending 1 August (up from 15.7 in the week ending 25 July and 7.2 the week before that). The local council says it has seen an increase in infections “in particular teenagers and younger adults, but also the 40-49 age group”. |
| If anything, more areas could be added to the locked-down area. Leeds, so far exempt despite being just 10 miles from Bradford, recorded 129 cases last week, up from 40 the week before. In Lancashire, which saw a small week-on-week rise to 155 new cases (up from 150 the week before), the county’s director of public health warned today that stricter rules could be imposed in Preston, its biggest city, after a doubling of cases there. | If anything, more areas could be added to the locked-down area. Leeds, so far exempt despite being just 10 miles from Bradford, recorded 129 cases last week, up from 40 the week before. In Lancashire, which saw a small week-on-week rise to 155 new cases (up from 150 the week before), the county’s director of public health warned today that stricter rules could be imposed in Preston, its biggest city, after a doubling of cases there. |
| The latest test-and-trace statistics for England (pdf) show another 4,966 people tested positive for Covid-19 in the week ending 29 July, up 17%, compared with the previous week. The number of people tested increased by 4% in the same time period. | The latest test-and-trace statistics for England (pdf) show another 4,966 people tested positive for Covid-19 in the week ending 29 July, up 17%, compared with the previous week. The number of people tested increased by 4% in the same time period. |
| There were 4,642 people transferred to the contract-tracing system, an increase of 9% compared with the previous week, in line with the upward trend in people testing positive since the week ending 8 July. | There were 4,642 people transferred to the contract-tracing system, an increase of 9% compared with the previous week, in line with the upward trend in people testing positive since the week ending 8 July. |
| Of those transferred to the contact-tracing system in week nine, 79.4% were reached and asked to provide information about their contacts, a figure which has remained broadly constant since the week ending 24 June. There were 19,150 close contacts identified. | Of those transferred to the contact-tracing system in week nine, 79.4% were reached and asked to provide information about their contacts, a figure which has remained broadly constant since the week ending 24 June. There were 19,150 close contacts identified. |
| The Department of Health and Social Care report says: | The Department of Health and Social Care report says: |
| The percentage of complex close contacts reached and asked to isolate in the week ending 29 July was 93.0%, compared with 98.0% since test and trace began. The proportion of complex close contacts successfully reached has seen a slight decline since the week ending 15 July. | The percentage of complex close contacts reached and asked to isolate in the week ending 29 July was 93.0%, compared with 98.0% since test and trace began. The proportion of complex close contacts successfully reached has seen a slight decline since the week ending 15 July. |
| By contrast the latest weekly figure for non-complex cases, handled either online or by call centres, was 60.9%, higher than the 56.1% since test and trace began. | By contrast the latest weekly figure for non-complex cases, handled either online or by call centres, was 60.9%, higher than the 56.1% since test and trace began. |
| The latest test-and-trace figures for England show that 72.4% of close contacts of people who have tested positive for Covid-19 were reached in the week ending 29 July, down from 76.2% in the previous week. | The latest test-and-trace figures for England show that 72.4% of close contacts of people who have tested positive for Covid-19 were reached in the week ending 29 July, down from 76.2% in the previous week. |
| The figures make disappointing reading at a time when the government is under pressure to improve performance. | The figures make disappointing reading at a time when the government is under pressure to improve performance. |
| On Wednesday, my colleagues Sarah Marsh and Molly Blackall revealed that, despite the prime minister’s grand claims, some people working on it have said they are making only a handful of calls every month and are occupying their time with barbecues and quizzes. | On Wednesday, my colleagues Sarah Marsh and Molly Blackall revealed that, despite the prime minister’s grand claims, some people working on it have said they are making only a handful of calls every month and are occupying their time with barbecues and quizzes. |
| That came only a day after Josh Halliday reported that English councils with the highest infection rates had felt it necessary to launch their own contact-tracing operations to plug holes in the “world-beating” £10bn central government system. And here’s a little more background on the contact-tracing operation: | That came only a day after Josh Halliday reported that English councils with the highest infection rates had felt it necessary to launch their own contact-tracing operations to plug holes in the “world-beating” £10bn central government system. And here’s a little more background on the contact-tracing operation: |
| There have also been concerns about the impact schools returning in September could have on spread of the virus without a robust test-and-trace system in place. | There have also been concerns about the impact schools returning in September could have on spread of the virus without a robust test-and-trace system in place. |
| Greater Manchester’s night-time czar has warned pubs and clubs to stop encouraging customers to break lockdown restrictions by socialising with other households, saying the result could be similar restrictions to those imposed in Aberdeen. | Greater Manchester’s night-time czar has warned pubs and clubs to stop encouraging customers to break lockdown restrictions by socialising with other households, saying the result could be similar restrictions to those imposed in Aberdeen. |
| Sacha Lord, who in normal times runs the Warehouse Project and Parklife festivals as well as acting as the night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, spoke out after Greater Manchester police revealed they had their busiest weekend for coronavirus-related calls in nine weeks, with reports of more than 750 illegal gatherings last weekend. | Sacha Lord, who in normal times runs the Warehouse Project and Parklife festivals as well as acting as the night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, spoke out after Greater Manchester police revealed they had their busiest weekend for coronavirus-related calls in nine weeks, with reports of more than 750 illegal gatherings last weekend. |
| Lord said: | Lord said: |
| Good morning, this is Haroon Siddique taking over from Kevin. You can contact me with tips, suggestions etc via the following channels: | Good morning, this is Haroon Siddique taking over from Kevin. You can contact me with tips, suggestions etc via the following channels: |
| Twitter: @Haroon_Siddique | Twitter: @Haroon_Siddique |
| Email: haroon[dot]siddique[at]theguardian[dot]com | Email: haroon[dot]siddique[at]theguardian[dot]com |
| Unite’s national officer for health, Jackie Williams, said: | Unite’s national officer for health, Jackie Williams, said: |
| Last Wednesday, hundreds of NHS workers marched to Downing Street demanding an immediate pay rise. They made their way to Whitehall carrying banners that said “Clapping won’t pay my bills” and “We helped you survive, now help us survive”. | Last Wednesday, hundreds of NHS workers marched to Downing Street demanding an immediate pay rise. They made their way to Whitehall carrying banners that said “Clapping won’t pay my bills” and “We helped you survive, now help us survive”. |
| A recent survey by Unison suggested 69% of people think all NHS employees should be awarded a rise this year. The union’s poll of more than 2,000 British adults found that two-thirds believed a wage increase should be significant, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey found that just one in 10 think health workers should wait until April for a rise. | A recent survey by Unison suggested 69% of people think all NHS employees should be awarded a rise this year. The union’s poll of more than 2,000 British adults found that two-thirds believed a wage increase should be significant, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey found that just one in 10 think health workers should wait until April for a rise. |
| Thousands of NHS workers are expected to take to the streets this weekend demanding a pay rise, PA Media reports. | Thousands of NHS workers are expected to take to the streets this weekend demanding a pay rise, PA Media reports. |
| Unite, which has 100,000 members in the health service, said it was supporting those wishing to attend the socially distanced protests so that the government can see the depth of discontent and frustration among NHS staff. | Unite, which has 100,000 members in the health service, said it was supporting those wishing to attend the socially distanced protests so that the government can see the depth of discontent and frustration among NHS staff. |
| A demonstration is organised in London on Saturday morning, while protests will also take place in other towns and cities across the UK. | A demonstration is organised in London on Saturday morning, while protests will also take place in other towns and cities across the UK. |
| Health workers are in the final year of a three-year deal and are due a pay rise next April, but unions want the government to show its appreciation for NHS staff by bringing it forward to this year. | Health workers are in the final year of a three-year deal and are due a pay rise next April, but unions want the government to show its appreciation for NHS staff by bringing it forward to this year. |
| Ministers did not commit to an early pay rise for all NHS staff a couple of weeks ago when wage increases for 900,000 public sector workers were announced. | Ministers did not commit to an early pay rise for all NHS staff a couple of weeks ago when wage increases for 900,000 public sector workers were announced. |
| ITV has been hit by the steepest decline in advertising in its 65-year history, a 43% fall in the second quarter, as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic looks set to push the broadcaster out of the FTSE 100 at next month’s reshuffle. | ITV has been hit by the steepest decline in advertising in its 65-year history, a 43% fall in the second quarter, as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic looks set to push the broadcaster out of the FTSE 100 at next month’s reshuffle. |
| The broadcaster, which has scrapped paying an interim dividend to fortify its balance sheet, reported a 50% fall in adjusted profits to £165m in the first half. The company said advertising revenues fell 21% in the first six months, a drop of £178m to £671m, including a 43% decline in the second quarter. | The broadcaster, which has scrapped paying an interim dividend to fortify its balance sheet, reported a 50% fall in adjusted profits to £165m in the first half. The company said advertising revenues fell 21% in the first six months, a drop of £178m to £671m, including a 43% decline in the second quarter. |
| Carolyn McCall, the chief executive of ITV, said that while the worst was over the ongoing uncertainty in the market meant the company would not issue performance guidance for the remainder of this year. | Carolyn McCall, the chief executive of ITV, said that while the worst was over the ongoing uncertainty in the market meant the company would not issue performance guidance for the remainder of this year. |
| Travellers hoping to make it to Belgium or Malta face a nervous wait as the government refuses to confirm or deny reports Whitehall officials are preparing to introduce quarantine rules for people returning from each country. | Travellers hoping to make it to Belgium or Malta face a nervous wait as the government refuses to confirm or deny reports Whitehall officials are preparing to introduce quarantine rules for people returning from each country. |
| According to reports in the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph, ministers are due to discuss removing the two countries from the “green” list of countries from which travellers can arrive in the UK without having to quarantine for a fortnight. | According to reports in the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph, ministers are due to discuss removing the two countries from the “green” list of countries from which travellers can arrive in the UK without having to quarantine for a fortnight. |
| The uncertainty will cause concern for many, who cannot be sure of whether or not they will be able to visit either country without having to isolate on their return. Asked about the reports on Thursday, a Department for Transport spokeswoman said this week’s review of travel corridor arrangements had not yet been published. | The uncertainty will cause concern for many, who cannot be sure of whether or not they will be able to visit either country without having to isolate on their return. Asked about the reports on Thursday, a Department for Transport spokeswoman said this week’s review of travel corridor arrangements had not yet been published. |
| Scotland’s health secretary has played down the prospects of Aberdeen’s emergency lockdown being extended to other parts of the economy or the region after the outbreak in cases there. | Scotland’s health secretary has played down the prospects of Aberdeen’s emergency lockdown being extended to other parts of the economy or the region after the outbreak in cases there. |
| Jeane Freeman said NHS Grampian’s contact tracers had so far found and spoken to all 191 people identified as being in close contact with the 54 people known to be infected in the city, and all had been told to self-isolate for 14 days. | Jeane Freeman said NHS Grampian’s contact tracers had so far found and spoken to all 191 people identified as being in close contact with the 54 people known to be infected in the city, and all had been told to self-isolate for 14 days. |
| Freeman confirmed ministers would act quickly if there was evidence of wider community transmission, but that had not yet emerged. Further data would be published later on Thursday, she said, to show whether new Covid-19 cases had emerged in the city or wider area. | Freeman confirmed ministers would act quickly if there was evidence of wider community transmission, but that had not yet emerged. Further data would be published later on Thursday, she said, to show whether new Covid-19 cases had emerged in the city or wider area. |
| The first minister warned on Wednesday that Aberdeen’s emergency lockdown could extend to other towns in the region after health officials linked 32 pubs and golf courses to the outbreak in the city. | The first minister warned on Wednesday that Aberdeen’s emergency lockdown could extend to other towns in the region after health officials linked 32 pubs and golf courses to the outbreak in the city. |
| Soames also defended the fact that the average contact tracer has contacted 2.4 people each. | Soames also defended the fact that the average contact tracer has contacted 2.4 people each. |