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| UK coronavirus: restrictions tighten across country as record new cases reported for second day – as it happened | |
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| Health secretary announces measures in Leeds, Wigan, Stockport and Blackpool; lockdowns for Cardiff and Swansea; R number rises to between 1.2 and 1.5 | Health secretary announces measures in Leeds, Wigan, Stockport and Blackpool; lockdowns for Cardiff and Swansea; R number rises to between 1.2 and 1.5 |
| That’s it from the UK blog for now. You can continue to follow our coverage in the global coronavirus blog below - | That’s it from the UK blog for now. You can continue to follow our coverage in the global coronavirus blog below - |
| Daily hospital admissions in England are at their highest level in more than three months as coronavirus cases continue to rise, according to government data. As of 9am on Friday, there had been a further 6,874 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK, the highest single-day figure of recorded cases. | Daily hospital admissions in England are at their highest level in more than three months as coronavirus cases continue to rise, according to government data. As of 9am on Friday, there had been a further 6,874 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK, the highest single-day figure of recorded cases. |
| The government has confirmed local lockdown measures will be introduced in Wigan, Stockport, Blackpool and Leeds from 12:01am on Saturday. Among the restrictions are residents in the areas will no longer be allowed to mix with people outside their household or bubble in private homes, including gardens. | The government has confirmed local lockdown measures will be introduced in Wigan, Stockport, Blackpool and Leeds from 12:01am on Saturday. Among the restrictions are residents in the areas will no longer be allowed to mix with people outside their household or bubble in private homes, including gardens. |
| A further 6,874 people in the UK have tested positive for coronavirus in the 24 hours to Friday, a new record, bringing the total number of infections to 423,236. | A further 6,874 people in the UK have tested positive for coronavirus in the 24 hours to Friday, a new record, bringing the total number of infections to 423,236. |
| Bolton continues to record the highest rate in England, up from 197.5 in the seven days to 15 September. Some 696 new cases were recorded in the seven days to 22 September 22 - the equivalent of 242.0 per 100,000 people, while Burnley has the second highest rate, up from 113.6 to 233.9 with 208 new cases. | Bolton continues to record the highest rate in England, up from 197.5 in the seven days to 15 September. Some 696 new cases were recorded in the seven days to 22 September 22 - the equivalent of 242.0 per 100,000 people, while Burnley has the second highest rate, up from 113.6 to 233.9 with 208 new cases. |
| London mayor Sadiq Khan has called on Boris Johnson to ban household mixing for London’s 9 million residents, warning that a 43% fall in testing in the capital risks masking the severity of the virus’s spread. | London mayor Sadiq Khan has called on Boris Johnson to ban household mixing for London’s 9 million residents, warning that a 43% fall in testing in the capital risks masking the severity of the virus’s spread. |
| All of London’s boroughs have been made areas of “concern”, Public Health England’s latest coronavirus weekly surveillance report said. The report shows the seven-day rolling average of case rates in the capital, with the rate in the City of London estimated at 185.4 per 100,000 people, while in Havering it stands at 139.2. | All of London’s boroughs have been made areas of “concern”, Public Health England’s latest coronavirus weekly surveillance report said. The report shows the seven-day rolling average of case rates in the capital, with the rate in the City of London estimated at 185.4 per 100,000 people, while in Havering it stands at 139.2. |
| Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon has backed disciplinary action being taken as a “last resort” against students who breach new rules aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19 on university campuses. Speaking as the daily increase in cases reached a record high, with 558 Scots testing positive in the past 24 hours, the first minister said that for those who are “flagrantly breaching rules, then of course discipline and enforcement has to be part of the answer”. | Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon has backed disciplinary action being taken as a “last resort” against students who breach new rules aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19 on university campuses. Speaking as the daily increase in cases reached a record high, with 558 Scots testing positive in the past 24 hours, the first minister said that for those who are “flagrantly breaching rules, then of course discipline and enforcement has to be part of the answer”. |
| Experts have described a possible feature showing people a “personalised risk score” for coronavirus within the new contact tracing app as “alarming”. The boss of Zuhlke Engineering, which developed the NHS Covid-19 app for England and Wales, revealed engineers are working on such an option for a future update on the app. | Experts have described a possible feature showing people a “personalised risk score” for coronavirus within the new contact tracing app as “alarming”. The boss of Zuhlke Engineering, which developed the NHS Covid-19 app for England and Wales, revealed engineers are working on such an option for a future update on the app. |
| All of London’s boroughs have been made areas of “concern”, Public Health England’s latest coronavirus weekly surveillance report said. | All of London’s boroughs have been made areas of “concern”, Public Health England’s latest coronavirus weekly surveillance report said. |
| The report shows the seven-day rolling average of case rates in the capital, with the rate in the City of London estimated at 185.4 per 100,000 people, while in Havering it stands at 139.2. | The report shows the seven-day rolling average of case rates in the capital, with the rate in the City of London estimated at 185.4 per 100,000 people, while in Havering it stands at 139.2. |
| The majority of Covid-19 cases in Cardiff have been in family networks which have broken extended household rules and have been meeting more people indoors, the city council’s leader said. | The majority of Covid-19 cases in Cardiff have been in family networks which have broken extended household rules and have been meeting more people indoors, the city council’s leader said. |
| Councillor Huw Thomas was speaking ahead of local lockdown restrictions coming into force in Wales’s capital at 6pm on Sunday following a rise in coronavirus cases. | Councillor Huw Thomas was speaking ahead of local lockdown restrictions coming into force in Wales’s capital at 6pm on Sunday following a rise in coronavirus cases. |
| Currently, the infection rate in Cardiff is 46.1 cases per 100,000 people, with 3.4% of those tested returning a positive result. | Currently, the infection rate in Cardiff is 46.1 cases per 100,000 people, with 3.4% of those tested returning a positive result. |
| Thomas said it was “prudent” to take stronger restrictions in the area, which has a population of about 367,000 people. | Thomas said it was “prudent” to take stronger restrictions in the area, which has a population of about 367,000 people. |
| “In taking this course of action we’ve had to weigh up the economic damage, the social cost, the impact on mental health,” he said. | “In taking this course of action we’ve had to weigh up the economic damage, the social cost, the impact on mental health,” he said. |
| “But we’ve seen in the past what can happen if there is a delay in bringing measures in. Delaying by a matter of days could mean many more lives could be lost.” | “But we’ve seen in the past what can happen if there is a delay in bringing measures in. Delaying by a matter of days could mean many more lives could be lost.” |
| He said the decision to enforce a local lockdown in Cardiff was informed by data from the test, trace and protect service. | He said the decision to enforce a local lockdown in Cardiff was informed by data from the test, trace and protect service. |
| The measures, which will be enforced by police and the local authority, will be reviewed formally in two weeks’ time. | The measures, which will be enforced by police and the local authority, will be reviewed formally in two weeks’ time. |
| Masks or three-layer face coverings are mandatory in Wales in all indoor public spaces and where social distancing cannot be maintained. | Masks or three-layer face coverings are mandatory in Wales in all indoor public spaces and where social distancing cannot be maintained. |
| Residents are also being asked to voluntarily wear masks in all busy outdoor public spaces, including high streets and outside school gates at pick-up and drop-off times. | Residents are also being asked to voluntarily wear masks in all busy outdoor public spaces, including high streets and outside school gates at pick-up and drop-off times. |
| The government has confirmed local lockdown measures will be introduced in parts of the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber, following a rise in coronavirus cases in the areas. | The government has confirmed local lockdown measures will be introduced in parts of the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber, following a rise in coronavirus cases in the areas. |
| Health Secretary Matt Hancock, NHS Test and Trace, the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), Public Health England (PHE) and the chief medical officer for England have agreed to introduce local measures in Wigan, Stockport, Blackpool and Leeds. | Health Secretary Matt Hancock, NHS Test and Trace, the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), Public Health England (PHE) and the chief medical officer for England have agreed to introduce local measures in Wigan, Stockport, Blackpool and Leeds. |
| From 12.01am on Saturday, residents in the areas will no longer be allowed to mix with people outside their household or bubble in private homes, including gardens. | From 12.01am on Saturday, residents in the areas will no longer be allowed to mix with people outside their household or bubble in private homes, including gardens. |
| They are also advised not to meet people outside their household or bubble in any setting - whether a bar, shop or leisure facility - indoors or outdoors. | They are also advised not to meet people outside their household or bubble in any setting - whether a bar, shop or leisure facility - indoors or outdoors. |
| Hancock said: “We continue to see an acceleration of Covid-19 cases across the country, especially in the North West and the North East. Working alongside our scientific and public health experts and local leaders, we are prepared to take swift and decisive action to reduce transmission of the virus and protect communities. | Hancock said: “We continue to see an acceleration of Covid-19 cases across the country, especially in the North West and the North East. Working alongside our scientific and public health experts and local leaders, we are prepared to take swift and decisive action to reduce transmission of the virus and protect communities. |
| “I recognise the burden and impact these additional measures have on our daily lives but we must act collectively and quickly to bring down infections.” | “I recognise the burden and impact these additional measures have on our daily lives but we must act collectively and quickly to bring down infections.” |
| The seven-day rolling average of cases in Blackpool has risen from 48.8 per 100,000 a week ago to 69.6 per 100,000 on Friday, the government’s coronavirus dashboard shows. | The seven-day rolling average of cases in Blackpool has risen from 48.8 per 100,000 a week ago to 69.6 per 100,000 on Friday, the government’s coronavirus dashboard shows. |
| The latest seven-day Covid-19 rate in Leeds was found to be 113.3 per 100,000 people, according to government figures, while Leeds director of public health, Victoria Eaton, said there was an 8.4% positive test rate. | The latest seven-day Covid-19 rate in Leeds was found to be 113.3 per 100,000 people, according to government figures, while Leeds director of public health, Victoria Eaton, said there was an 8.4% positive test rate. |
| Daily hospital admissions in England are at their highest level in more than three months as coronavirus cases continue to rise, according to government data. | Daily hospital admissions in England are at their highest level in more than three months as coronavirus cases continue to rise, according to government data. |
| As of 9am on Friday, there had been a further 6,874 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK, the highest single-day figure of recorded coronavirus cases and taking the overall number of cases to 423,236. It is the second consecutive day of the highest recorded case number. | As of 9am on Friday, there had been a further 6,874 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK, the highest single-day figure of recorded coronavirus cases and taking the overall number of cases to 423,236. It is the second consecutive day of the highest recorded case number. |
| The climbing case rates come as a further 314 people with Covid-19 were admitted to hospital on Wednesday in England. | The climbing case rates come as a further 314 people with Covid-19 were admitted to hospital on Wednesday in England. |
| It is the first time that more than 300 patients have been admitted with the illness in England since June 22, and a rise of more than 45 on the previous day, when 268 were admitted. | It is the first time that more than 300 patients have been admitted with the illness in England since June 22, and a rise of more than 45 on the previous day, when 268 were admitted. |
| A week previously, on September 16, 183 people across England were admitted to hospital. | A week previously, on September 16, 183 people across England were admitted to hospital. |
| Admissions are also increasing in Wales, where 94 people were admitted on Thursday, up from 42 the week before. | Admissions are also increasing in Wales, where 94 people were admitted on Thursday, up from 42 the week before. |
| However, data for Wales includes both confirmed and suspected cases, whereas other nations only include those with a confirmed positive test result. | However, data for Wales includes both confirmed and suspected cases, whereas other nations only include those with a confirmed positive test result. |
| The latest available data in Scotland is from September 16, when 16 Covid patients were admitted to hospital. | The latest available data in Scotland is from September 16, when 16 Covid patients were admitted to hospital. |
| As of Friday, a further 34 people across the UK had died within 28 days of receiving a positive test for Covid-19 but this figure does not include deaths in Scotland, due to a technical issue. This brings the UK total to 41,936. | As of Friday, a further 34 people across the UK had died within 28 days of receiving a positive test for Covid-19 but this figure does not include deaths in Scotland, due to a technical issue. This brings the UK total to 41,936. |
| A council has approved plans to spend £120,000 on private Covid-19 tests for key workers. | A council has approved plans to spend £120,000 on private Covid-19 tests for key workers. |
| The tests are being bought by Wokingham borough council in Berkshire due to “the inadequacies” in NHS test and trace, the Conservative lead for health, councillor Charles Margetts, said. | The tests are being bought by Wokingham borough council in Berkshire due to “the inadequacies” in NHS test and trace, the Conservative lead for health, councillor Charles Margetts, said. |
| The 500 tests (costing £60,000 in total) will be available from next month and will be reserved for workers in the borough who cannot get tests. | The 500 tests (costing £60,000 in total) will be available from next month and will be reserved for workers in the borough who cannot get tests. |
| A private firm will deliver the results within 48 hours. | A private firm will deliver the results within 48 hours. |
| Councillors agreed to paying for a second lot of 500 tests at the same price if required. | Councillors agreed to paying for a second lot of 500 tests at the same price if required. |
| I am Nadeem Badshah and will be taking over the UK blog now from my colleague Jedidajah Otte. | I am Nadeem Badshah and will be taking over the UK blog now from my colleague Jedidajah Otte. |
| Friday’s update of the rolling seven-day rate of new cases of Covid-19 for every local authority area in England confirmed that Bolton continues to record the highest rate in England, up from 197.5 in the seven days to 15 September. | Friday’s update of the rolling seven-day rate of new cases of Covid-19 for every local authority area in England confirmed that Bolton continues to record the highest rate in England, up from 197.5 in the seven days to 15 September. |
| 696 new cases were recorded in the seven days to 22 September 22 - the equivalent of 242.0 per 100,000 people. | 696 new cases were recorded in the seven days to 22 September 22 - the equivalent of 242.0 per 100,000 people. |
| Burnley has the second highest rate, up from 113.6 to 233.9 with 208 new cases. | Burnley has the second highest rate, up from 113.6 to 233.9 with 208 new cases. |
| Knowsley is in third place, where the rate has risen from 125.3 to 230.7, with 348 new cases. | Knowsley is in third place, where the rate has risen from 125.3 to 230.7, with 348 new cases. |
| Other areas recording sharp increases in their seven-day rates include: - Newcastle upon Tyne (up from 74.0 to 208.7, with 632 new cases) - Halton (up from 100.5 to 206.3, with 267 new cases) - Liverpool (up from 124.5 to 227.3 with 1,132 new cases) - Pendle (up from 91.2 to 192.2 with 177 new cases) - Sunderland (up from 75.6 to 173.9, with 483 new cases) | Other areas recording sharp increases in their seven-day rates include: - Newcastle upon Tyne (up from 74.0 to 208.7, with 632 new cases) - Halton (up from 100.5 to 206.3, with 267 new cases) - Liverpool (up from 124.5 to 227.3 with 1,132 new cases) - Pendle (up from 91.2 to 192.2 with 177 new cases) - Sunderland (up from 75.6 to 173.9, with 483 new cases) |
| Lucy Mair, 49, from Manchester, is everything but impressed with the way her daughter’s university has handled the coronavirus outbreak on campus. | Lucy Mair, 49, from Manchester, is everything but impressed with the way her daughter’s university has handled the coronavirus outbreak on campus. |
| Her daughter is a first year at Glasgow University, having arrived 12 days ago and living in Murano, the largest student village and epicentre of the current outbreak at the university. | Her daughter is a first year at Glasgow University, having arrived 12 days ago and living in Murano, the largest student village and epicentre of the current outbreak at the university. |
| “Every single flat around her has positive cases, only her flat of 12 so far has not tested positive but they are in self-isolation anyway for 14 days due to having had contacts with others who have now tested positive in other flats,” Mair told the Guardian. | “Every single flat around her has positive cases, only her flat of 12 so far has not tested positive but they are in self-isolation anyway for 14 days due to having had contacts with others who have now tested positive in other flats,” Mair told the Guardian. |
| “The lack of support from the university is mind-boggling. Despite purporting on their website, Twitter and Facebook accounts that they are supporting students who are self-isolating and positive this could not be further from the truth.” | “The lack of support from the university is mind-boggling. Despite purporting on their website, Twitter and Facebook accounts that they are supporting students who are self-isolating and positive this could not be further from the truth.” |
| Mair said her daughter and many others in halls had not received any communications from the university, “apart from a sign that was slapped on their flat door telling them to self-isolate”. | Mair said her daughter and many others in halls had not received any communications from the university, “apart from a sign that was slapped on their flat door telling them to self-isolate”. |
| “When they had to ring and ask what they should do about food and laundry they were told to wash their clothes in their bathtub and that they would have to sort their own supermarket food delivery, it took them three days to get a slot. There is no welfare support, mental health support, daily check-in to see if they are OK and need anything, even though they have two 17-year-olds amongst them for whom the university has an extra duty of care,” Mair said. | “When they had to ring and ask what they should do about food and laundry they were told to wash their clothes in their bathtub and that they would have to sort their own supermarket food delivery, it took them three days to get a slot. There is no welfare support, mental health support, daily check-in to see if they are OK and need anything, even though they have two 17-year-olds amongst them for whom the university has an extra duty of care,” Mair said. |
| “Meanwhile the flat above had played music from their flat yesterday, including Queen’s I Want to Break Free”. They have received an official warning from the university. For what? Playing music while under lockdown? Since when is that banned?” | “Meanwhile the flat above had played music from their flat yesterday, including Queen’s I Want to Break Free”. They have received an official warning from the university. For what? Playing music while under lockdown? Since when is that banned?” |
| Mair added the university had provided “zero assistance” in getting students tested for coronavirus. | Mair added the university had provided “zero assistance” in getting students tested for coronavirus. |
| “The kids were arranging the tests themselves,” she said. “I and other angry parents suggested the uni should get a mobile testing unit in, and lo and behold they finally did yesterday, a week after the first positive test. Even now they are not testing all the students in the Covid-riddled buildings - only those who have symptoms. It’s a shambles beyond shambles.” | “The kids were arranging the tests themselves,” she said. “I and other angry parents suggested the uni should get a mobile testing unit in, and lo and behold they finally did yesterday, a week after the first positive test. Even now they are not testing all the students in the Covid-riddled buildings - only those who have symptoms. It’s a shambles beyond shambles.” |