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UK coronavirus live: test and trace figures due as Preston could be latest to face lockdown measures UK coronavirus live: test and trace scheme fails to reach thousands of contacts of people testing positive
(32 minutes later)
Town faces government intervention after a rise in coronavirus rates; 50m masks for NHS workers deemed unusable; contact tracing figures expected amid concern over programme Latest figures show just 72% of close contacts reached; Preston could be latest to face lockdown measures; 50m masks for NHS workers deemed unusable
Greater Manchester’s night-time czar has warned pubs and clubs to stop encouraging punters to break lockdown restrictions by socialising with other households, saying the result could be a 5pm curfew as in Aberdeen. 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.
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 it had its busiest weekend for coronavirus-related calls in nine weeks with reports of more than 750 illegal gatherings last weekend. There were 4,642 people transferred to the contract tracing system, an increase of 9% compared to 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 9, 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 people close contacts identified.
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. were reached and asked to self-isolate and 481 (7.0%) were not reached. The proportion of complex close contacts successfully reached has seen a slight decline since week 7.
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 July 29, 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.
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:
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 being 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 a 5pm curfew as 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.
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_SiddiqueTwitter: @Haroon_Siddique
Email: haroon[dot]siddique[at]theguardian[dot]comEmail: 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.
The boss of outsourcing giant Serco has defended the number of people being contacted and asked to isolate as part of the test-and-trace system, saying it is “improving all the time”. Rupert Soames, Serco’s chief executive, told Today:
Pushed on the fact that this is only the contacts that tracers have been able to reach, Soames added: “So there’s been 218,000 already contacted.”
Questioned again on why tracers are still only managing to get hold of half of people’s contacts, Soames said:
The shadow Cabinet Office minister, Labour’s Rachel Reeves, has said:
Responding to the news, the Lib Dem leadership candidate Layla Moran has said:
The government has admitted that 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.
Two organisations are seeking judicial review of the decision to award the contract to Ayanda Capital, which describes itself as specialising in “currency trading, offshore property, private equity and trade financing”.
EveryDoctor and the Good Law Project published correspondence with the government’s legal department in which the latter acknowledged the masks would not be used by the NHS because of concerns they will not fit tightly enough.
The government declined to comment on ongoing legal proceedings but a spokesman has said:
Returning to the planning story, the housing secretary, Robert Jenrick, has said he wishes he had not sat next to Tory party donor and developer Richard Desmond at an event.
Asked why people should trust him over new planning proposals that will give more power to large developers after the controversy over the Westferry development project, Jenrick told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme:
Asked what he had learned from the experience of the Westferry development, Jenrick added:
Jenrick claimed he had “no idea” how much property developers have donated to his party in the last year, saying: “Ministers are not involved in those issues, that is entirely for the Conservative party.”
He added: “You’re entirely mischaracterising what we’re doing here. We’re actually asking developers to pay more.” He said the government was “saying we’re going to abolish the current system which favours the big developers”.
Preston could be the next area to face government intervention after a rise in coronavirus rates, the city council’s chief executive said.
The authority has advised residents in the Lancashire city to avoid having visitors to their homes, although there are no official restrictions such as the laws brought in for other parts of the county, as well as Greater Manchester and parts of West Yorkshire. Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Thursday, Adrian Phillips said:
The council has also advised residents to wear face coverings at all times and to get tested even if they are experiencing only mild symptoms.
A statement on the authority’s website said evidence from Public Health England showed a spike of coronavirus cases in Preston, with the majority of the spread through households and community.
Phillips told BBC Breakfast:
The director of the Town and Country Planning Association called on the government to provide evidence as to how the current planning system is “desperately broken”. Hugh Ellis told Today:
Jenrick told the same programme there was a need for more homes and land on which to build them, citing constituents who have complained younger people are struggling to get on the property ladder.
Claims the government’s planning reforms would lead to slums are “complete nonsense”, the housing secretary, Robert Jenrick, has claimed.
The proposals include a scheme that would remove a whole stage of local oversight within designated zones by setting pre-approved “design codes” that would see some applications given an automatic “green light”.
The government is seeking a way to make it easier to build new homes but the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) described the proposals as “shameful” and said they would do “almost nothing to guarantee the delivery of affordable, well-designed and sustainable homes”. Instead, they could lead to the “development of the next generation of slum housing”. Speaking on Sky News on Thursday morning, Jenrick said:
Asked whether the public will have less of a say on planning decisions, he added:
Asked about the RIBA’s comments, Jenrick said:
The Citizens Advice service is helping people with redundancy queries every two minutes, according to its director of external affairs. Katie Martin has told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme:
The comments come as recruitment firms report record numbers of people in Britain looking for temporary work. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation and the accountancy firm KPMG said the number of people signing up rose in July at the fastest pace since records began in 1997.
Good morning and welcome aboard the Guardian’s live blog, where we’ll be keeping a particularly close eye out for the latest data on England’s contact tracing system. They’re due to be published at 11am, amid concerns about the effectiveness of the operation.
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: