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UK coronavirus live: Johnson may review mask rules in English schools if medical advice changes UK coronavirus live: Johnson may review mask rules in English schools if medical advice changes
(32 minutes later)
Ofqual chiefs and Williamson face MPs; secondary school pupils in Scotland to cover faces from Monday as Wales reviews schools mask guidanceOfqual chiefs and Williamson face MPs; secondary school pupils in Scotland to cover faces from Monday as Wales reviews schools mask guidance
There has been a further 1,184 Covid-19 cases recorded in the UK, and 16 more deaths, Public Health England have confirmed after technical problems with the online Covid-19 dashboard which is currently failing to load data.
This takes the total number of recorded cases to 327,798 and the total number of fatalities to 41,449.
The coronavirus pandemic has led to a dip in the number of cancer patients being treated with radiotherapy, a charity has said.
New analysis by the charity Macmillan Cancer Support found that the number of people in England being treated with radiotherapy for one of five common types of cancer dropped 24% in April.
There were around 3,500 records of people with breast, prostate, lung, bladder or oesophageal cancer having radiotherapy in April this year, compared with around 4,600 in April 2019.
Radiotherapy data from Public Health England’s National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service showed that the figures increased in May when there were 4,800 records of people with these types of cancer having radiotherapy.
But the figure was still 14% down on last year, according to the Macmillan analysis.
Sara Bainbridge, head of policy and influence at Macmillan Cancer Support, said:
The analysis comes as Jo’s Cervical Cancer warned that women from BAME backgrounds are less likely than white women to attend cervical cancer screenings.
Figures from the charity, published by The Guardian, show that black, Asian and minority ethnic women are twice as likely (20%) to be strongly worried about contracting the virus at a cervical cancer screening than white women (9.4%).
Two in five BAME women (39.6%) said they would feel unsafe visiting a doctor’s surgery at the moment compared to 27.2% of white women, according to a poll of 2,000 women.
And 17.3% of women with BAME heritage said they believe that delaying cervical cancer screening is the safest thing to do at the moment, compared to 8.1% of white women.
Coronavirus restrictions in parts of northern England are expected to continue when the government reviews existing measures later this week, but will be more tightly targeted and focus on smaller areas.
People in Oldham in Greater Manchester, and in specific wards in Pendle and Blackburn in Lancashire were told not to socialise with anyone outside their household from midnight on Saturday.
They were also advised to only use public transport if essential and numbers attending weddings, civil partnerships and funerals were restricted to up to 20.
Council chiefs in Blackburn welcomed the announcement after they campaigned for a targeted approach at a “really local level” and said resources and efforts could be concentrated on the places that needed it most.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) also lifted restrictions in Wigan, Rossendale and Darwen, bringing them in line with the rest of England.
The next announcement by the DHSC on restrictions in the “northern area of intervention” is due to take place after a meeting on Thursday of the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) chaired by health secretary Matt Hancock and England’s chief medical officer professor Chris Whitty.
Local councils and MPs are expected to make their recommendations to the JBC by Wednesday over where, if any, restrictions should be imposed in their local areas.
The Tory leader of Bolton council has called on the government to lift restrictions in the borough.
Councillor David Greenhalgh said:
Mohammed Iqbal, the leader of Pendle council, criticised the extra restrictions imposed in the borough as numbers of Covid-19 cases continued to fall. He said:
Last week Hancock said: “Our approach is to make the action we take as targeted as possible, with the maximum possible local consensus.
“To do that we are introducing a new process to increase engagement between local leaders, both councils and MPs, with the aim of taking as targeted action as possible.
“This will allow local councils to focus resources onto the wards which need more targeted intervention in order to drive infection rates down, and gives local people a stronger voice at the table.
The Guardian’s deputy political editor is reporting that a number of Tory MPs are concerned about a government u-turn on masks in schools as Boris Johnson comes under growing pressure to review Public Health England advice which does “does not recommend them”.The Guardian’s deputy political editor is reporting that a number of Tory MPs are concerned about a government u-turn on masks in schools as Boris Johnson comes under growing pressure to review Public Health England advice which does “does not recommend them”.
“Several are strongly opposed and want concerns conveyed to Number 10,” Jessica Elgot has tweeted.“Several are strongly opposed and want concerns conveyed to Number 10,” Jessica Elgot has tweeted.
A 75-year-old woman from Nottinghamshire was the earliest person to catch coronavirus in the UK, according to new research from scientists which also shows that the disease was widely circulating in communities in early February, reports Amy Walker.A 75-year-old woman from Nottinghamshire was the earliest person to catch coronavirus in the UK, according to new research from scientists which also shows that the disease was widely circulating in communities in early February, reports Amy Walker.
Samples analysed by the University of Nottingham show the woman tested positive for the virus on 21 February. She is also believed to be the first person in the country to die from Covid-19, after being admitted to hospital with severe breathing difficulties.Samples analysed by the University of Nottingham show the woman tested positive for the virus on 21 February. She is also believed to be the first person in the country to die from Covid-19, after being admitted to hospital with severe breathing difficulties.
It was previously believed that the UK’s first case was a man in Surrey who contracted the virus later in February. The results of a retrospective analysis of samples from a Nottingham hospital, dating back to January 2020, found the virus was circulating in communities between early February and March, and was undetected because of restrictive case definitions informing testing policy at the time.It was previously believed that the UK’s first case was a man in Surrey who contracted the virus later in February. The results of a retrospective analysis of samples from a Nottingham hospital, dating back to January 2020, found the virus was circulating in communities between early February and March, and was undetected because of restrictive case definitions informing testing policy at the time.
Initial testing for coronavirus in the UK required that a patient had a recent travel history to Hubei province in China or contact with a known case and one or more symptoms of fever, shortness of breath and a new and persistent dry cough.Initial testing for coronavirus in the UK required that a patient had a recent travel history to Hubei province in China or contact with a known case and one or more symptoms of fever, shortness of breath and a new and persistent dry cough.
This criteria was revised on several occasions to include travel to mainland China and several other Asian countries initially, then expanded further to include Iran and northern Italy, before finally being removed as essential criteria for diagnostic testing by mid-March.This criteria was revised on several occasions to include travel to mainland China and several other Asian countries initially, then expanded further to include Iran and northern Italy, before finally being removed as essential criteria for diagnostic testing by mid-March.
DNA sequencing conducted as part of the analysis by the university showed there had been multiple introductions of the virus into the East Midlands before wide scale testing was introduced.DNA sequencing conducted as part of the analysis by the university showed there had been multiple introductions of the virus into the East Midlands before wide scale testing was introduced.
It also found that the first official case of coronavirus in the area – a traveller who returned from South Korea on 28 February – had most likely caught the virus in Nottingham, rather than in South Korea as had been assumed.It also found that the first official case of coronavirus in the area – a traveller who returned from South Korea on 28 February – had most likely caught the virus in Nottingham, rather than in South Korea as had been assumed.
The National Deaf Children’s Society said that schools and colleges must be ready to meet the needs of deaf pupils - such as investing in clear masks.The National Deaf Children’s Society said that schools and colleges must be ready to meet the needs of deaf pupils - such as investing in clear masks.
As speculation builds that the government may be about to a policy U-turn which would pave the way for near-mandatory use of face coverings in English schools, the organisation said that the use of facemasks in education would have serious consequences for the UK’s 50,000 deaf children.As speculation builds that the government may be about to a policy U-turn which would pave the way for near-mandatory use of face coverings in English schools, the organisation said that the use of facemasks in education would have serious consequences for the UK’s 50,000 deaf children.
Ian Noon, chief policy adviser of the National Deaf Children’s Society, said:Ian Noon, chief policy adviser of the National Deaf Children’s Society, said:
A mother has said she will not send her son to school if rules in England are not changed, and he is not allowed to wear a mask.A mother has said she will not send her son to school if rules in England are not changed, and he is not allowed to wear a mask.
Amid increasing pressure, Boris Johnson has hinted that guidance which says face coverings are not required for schoolchildren in England could be changed, with some reports saying a U-turn has already been agreed by the government.Amid increasing pressure, Boris Johnson has hinted that guidance which says face coverings are not required for schoolchildren in England could be changed, with some reports saying a U-turn has already been agreed by the government.
Debra Kidd, 52, is from Saddleworth, near Oldham, Greater Manchester, where additional lockdown measures are currently in place amid a rise in coronavirus cases.Debra Kidd, 52, is from Saddleworth, near Oldham, Greater Manchester, where additional lockdown measures are currently in place amid a rise in coronavirus cases.
She told the PA Media news agency her son Sam, 13, had been told by Saddleworth school that children would not be required to wear masks and would be expected to remove them at the front gates.She told the PA Media news agency her son Sam, 13, had been told by Saddleworth school that children would not be required to wear masks and would be expected to remove them at the front gates.
“We’ve complained about this and the school says it is following government guidance,” she said. “Our position is that if he can’t wear a mask, he’s not going back.”“We’ve complained about this and the school says it is following government guidance,” she said. “Our position is that if he can’t wear a mask, he’s not going back.”
Virgin Atlantic says it has reached “a significant milestone in safeguarding its future” after creditors voted to approve a £1.2bn bailout.Virgin Atlantic says it has reached “a significant milestone in safeguarding its future” after creditors voted to approve a £1.2bn bailout.
The vote was a key part of a court-sanctioned process being used by the airline to implement the deal.The vote was a key part of a court-sanctioned process being used by the airline to implement the deal.
It warned earlier this month it could run out of money by the end of September if the rescue package was rejected.It warned earlier this month it could run out of money by the end of September if the rescue package was rejected.
The company said in a statement:The company said in a statement:
Phil Hogan, the European trade commissioner who is battling to save his job, has sent the European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, a 20-page summary of his movements during the period he breached lockdown rules in Ireland.Phil Hogan, the European trade commissioner who is battling to save his job, has sent the European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, a 20-page summary of his movements during the period he breached lockdown rules in Ireland.
Hogan, a former Irish minister whose role at the commission makes him a key figure in post-Brexit trade deal talks between the EU and the UK, has apologised for attending an event in his home country that may have breached Covid-19 regulations but he remains under pressure. Von der Leyen requested detailed of his movements.Hogan, a former Irish minister whose role at the commission makes him a key figure in post-Brexit trade deal talks between the EU and the UK, has apologised for attending an event in his home country that may have breached Covid-19 regulations but he remains under pressure. Von der Leyen requested detailed of his movements.
The commission has published details of a memo from Hogan here, but holes are already being picked in the details provided.The commission has published details of a memo from Hogan here, but holes are already being picked in the details provided.
Five patients on a cancer ward in Northern Ireland have tested positive for Covid-19.Five patients on a cancer ward in Northern Ireland have tested positive for Covid-19.
It is the second cluster of infections at Craigavon Area hospital in Co Armagh. A member of staff has tested positive and three close staff contacts are self-isolating as a precaution, the Southern health and social care trust said.It is the second cluster of infections at Craigavon Area hospital in Co Armagh. A member of staff has tested positive and three close staff contacts are self-isolating as a precaution, the Southern health and social care trust said.
It added: “Covid-19 is rising again in our community. We urgently appeal to everyone to wash their hands, cover their face and maintain social distancing.It added: “Covid-19 is rising again in our community. We urgently appeal to everyone to wash their hands, cover their face and maintain social distancing.
The ward is closed to admissions. Trust staff are working closely with the Public Health Agency to manage the situation.The ward is closed to admissions. Trust staff are working closely with the Public Health Agency to manage the situation.
Trials of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine may have gathered enough data to show whether it works and is safe by the end of the year – but it will then need to go through the regulatory process, scientists say.Trials of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine may have gathered enough data to show whether it works and is safe by the end of the year – but it will then need to go through the regulatory process, scientists say.
Prof Andrew Pollard, the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, said it is “just possible” that there may be enough clinical trial data on Oxford University’s Covid-19 vaccine to put before the regulators this year.Prof Andrew Pollard, the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, said it is “just possible” that there may be enough clinical trial data on Oxford University’s Covid-19 vaccine to put before the regulators this year.
Prof Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, has said a vaccine may not be ready until next winter. Pollard suggested they were hoping to go faster.Prof Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, has said a vaccine may not be ready until next winter. Pollard suggested they were hoping to go faster.
“I think that Chris Whitty is quite rightly being cautious, that it could take as long as that to first of all demonstrate a vaccine works and is safe and then to go through the processes of regulators looking at that very carefully to make sure everything’s been done correctly,” Pollard told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.“I think that Chris Whitty is quite rightly being cautious, that it could take as long as that to first of all demonstrate a vaccine works and is safe and then to go through the processes of regulators looking at that very carefully to make sure everything’s been done correctly,” Pollard told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Students have begun receiving their BTec grades, a week after exam board Pearson withdrew some and delayed the publication of others to give itself time to recalculate scores in the week of the A-level exam results fiasco.Students have begun receiving their BTec grades, a week after exam board Pearson withdrew some and delayed the publication of others to give itself time to recalculate scores in the week of the A-level exam results fiasco.
About 200,000 people who had taken the level one and two vocational qualifications were told last week, just hours before results day, that they would not be receiving them on time. A further 250,000 level-three grades, which had already been awarded, were also reassessed.About 200,000 people who had taken the level one and two vocational qualifications were told last week, just hours before results day, that they would not be receiving them on time. A further 250,000 level-three grades, which had already been awarded, were also reassessed.
It came after an outcry over A-level and GCSE results led to the scrapping of an algorithm that had calculated pupils’ grades in lieu of exams. After the algorithm downgraded the results of many pupils from the estimates given by their teachers, while apparently favouring pupils from private schools, pupils held multiple protests with many calling for the resignation of the education secretary, Gavin Williamson.It came after an outcry over A-level and GCSE results led to the scrapping of an algorithm that had calculated pupils’ grades in lieu of exams. After the algorithm downgraded the results of many pupils from the estimates given by their teachers, while apparently favouring pupils from private schools, pupils held multiple protests with many calling for the resignation of the education secretary, Gavin Williamson.
Boris Johnson is facing fresh calls to meet bereaved families who lost their loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic.Boris Johnson is facing fresh calls to meet bereaved families who lost their loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group said they have asked for meetings with the prime minister on four occasions.The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group said they have asked for meetings with the prime minister on four occasions.
Earlier this month, the all-party parliamentary group on Coronavirus heard from bereaved families who said they felt they are being “swept under the carpet” by the government.Earlier this month, the all-party parliamentary group on Coronavirus heard from bereaved families who said they felt they are being “swept under the carpet” by the government.
The APPG chairwoman, Liberal Democrat Layla Moran, wrote to the prime minister and said she was shocked to learn that he had “refused” to meet the group - which represents 1,450 families.The APPG chairwoman, Liberal Democrat Layla Moran, wrote to the prime minister and said she was shocked to learn that he had “refused” to meet the group - which represents 1,450 families.
Commenting on the letter, Jo Goodman, who lost her father, Stuart, after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 aged 72, said:Commenting on the letter, Jo Goodman, who lost her father, Stuart, after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 aged 72, said: