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UK coronavirus news: government scientists give Covid spread update UK coronavirus live: Nightingale hospitals in Manchester, Sunderland and Harrogate on standby to take patients
(32 minutes later)
Deputy chief medical officer for England to give statement ahead of Boris Johnson revealing plan for country to be graded in three tiers of restrictions NHS England medical director Professor Stephen Powis says hospitals preparing to take patients; Boris Johnson to reveal plan for country to be graded in three tiers of restrictions
Margaret Ferrier – the suspended SNP MP who travelled by train from London to Glasgow after a positive diagnosis of coronavirus - claims that senior SNP officials drafted her statement apologising for her rule breaches and ordered her to refer herself to the police.
Ferrier told the Sun that she felt railroaded into releasing the statement by party officials and was given just five minutes to warn family and friends that it was being released. She said:
Yesterday, Ferrier told the Sun on Sunday that she “panicked” after receiving the positive test result in her Westminster office after speaking in the Commons, and insisted that she would not resign, despite cross-party calls for her to step down.
Q: What new evidence emerged over the weekend that changed your view of the spread. (See 11.10am.)
Van-Tam says he does not want to imply Covid is a problem in the north but not in the south.
He says it has picked up faster in the north. But that is because it never dropped so much in the north.
Now all areas of England are showing rates of Covid picking up. See 11.10am.
He says the spread of coronavirus is a “nationwide phenomenon”.
Q: Aren’t you already testing NHS staff?
Powis says the NHS has been testing staff with symptoms, and staff in places where there have been infections.
But it is going to start testing asymptomatic staff more extensively. It won’t just be the health staff, he says. Porters and others can be affected. And he says they want to extend this testing to other health staff, like GPs, he says.
And that’s it. The briefing is over.
Q: Are we in a better or worse position that you expected us to be at this stage? And will more Nightingale hospitals be needed?
Powis says we are in a better position than we were in March and April. For example, having dexamethasone makes a big difference. Doctors have better knowledge about when to use ventilation. And they have been preparing for winter.
But R is above one. That means infections will continue to rise.
The key thing is to keep community transmission under control, he says.
On the Nightingale hospitals, he says some have been asked to go onto a higher state of readiness. (See 11.22am.) That will happen in other areas if needed, he says.
Q: Test and trace was meant to avoid the need for local lockdowns. Has it failed?
Van-Tam says it is always hard to build a system and run it at the same time.
And test and trace will always be more challenging as the number of infections picks up.
We would be in a worse position without it, he says.
Van-Tam is now taking questions.
(Medical and health specialists have been invited to ask questions.)
Q: [From Fergus Walsh from the BBC] Will non-Covid treatments have to be suspended?
Powis says during the first wave operations were cancelled. He says this time they will do as much as they can to avoid that. In different areas different approaches will be used. Private hospitals, and Nightingale hospitals, will be used.
But the key thing is to control infection in the community, he says.
Q: Is there scientific evidence that shutting bars will slow transmission?
Van-Tam says it would not be right to pre-empt what the PM will announce later.
But he says we know the virus thrives on human contact.
He refers to the Japanese advice about the three Cs: closed spaces, crowded spaces and close contact are all factors that help the virus.
He says he would add noise too, because it makes people shout.
Jane Eddleston, an intensive care consultant from the Manchester Royal Infirmary, is speaking now.
She says 30% of their critical care beds are occupied by Covid patients.
Some patients need to go on ventilation soon after being admitted. It is a very serious virus, she says.
Powis says we have to tackle the increase in Covid infections so that the NHS is still able to treat other patients.
The final slide show how long it takes on average to move from one stage of Covid to another.
Powis says hospitals are better placed to treat Covid patients than in the spring.
But new measures are being introduced.
First, there will be regular testing for NHS staff in high-risk areas - even if they do not have symptoms.
Second, the NHS is putting the Nightingale hospitals in Manchester, Sunderland and Harrogate on standby to open for patients.
This shows hospital admissions by age.
And here are the figures for the
Prof Stephen Powis, the national medical director for NHS England, is speaking now.
He says there are more patients in hospital with Covid than in March when the nationwide restrictions were imposed.
This chart shows how hospital admissions are going up.
And this chart shows hospital admissions by region.
This chart is similar, but just relates to the over-60s.This chart is similar, but just relates to the over-60s.
And this chart shows how, although infections have been highest amongst the young, infections spread up the age bands.And this chart shows how, although infections have been highest amongst the young, infections spread up the age bands.
This chart shows weekly cases, on the left, and rate of change, on the right.This chart shows weekly cases, on the left, and rate of change, on the right.
The darker the colours, the worse it is, Van-Tam says.The darker the colours, the worse it is, Van-Tam says.
He says this graph is new. A similar one at the end of last week showed less Covid spread in the south of England. The situation has changed in recent days, he says. He says that’s worrying.He says this graph is new. A similar one at the end of last week showed less Covid spread in the south of England. The situation has changed in recent days, he says. He says that’s worrying.
Van-Tam is starting his briefing now.Van-Tam is starting his briefing now.
He is showing slides.He is showing slides.
The first shows case numbers. He says more cases are being recorded now than in the spring because there is more testing.The first shows case numbers. He says more cases are being recorded now than in the spring because there is more testing.
But the graphs do show the latest peak, he says.But the graphs do show the latest peak, he says.
He says, as patients become ill with Covid-19, they don’t immediately go into hospital. And they don’t die when they arrive in hospital.He says, as patients become ill with Covid-19, they don’t immediately go into hospital. And they don’t die when they arrive in hospital.
There is a lag between cases and deaths, he says.There is a lag between cases and deaths, he says.
He says, based on this curve, hospital admissions now are related to infections about three weeks ago.He says, based on this curve, hospital admissions now are related to infections about three weeks ago.
He says, already with the cases that we know about, extra hospital admissions and deaths are “baked in”.He says, already with the cases that we know about, extra hospital admissions and deaths are “baked in”.
Van-Tam says rise in Covid cases means death rates will inevitably rise.Van-Tam says rise in Covid cases means death rates will inevitably rise.
Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England, is about to hold a briefing on the latest coronavirus statistics. It is due to be carried live by the 24-hour news broadcasters.Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England, is about to hold a briefing on the latest coronavirus statistics. It is due to be carried live by the 24-hour news broadcasters.
Here are the main points from Sir Keir Starmer’s LBC phone-in.Here are the main points from Sir Keir Starmer’s LBC phone-in.
Starmer said the PM has to explain this afternoon who areas subject to local lockdowns can get out of them. He also said he wanted to hear Boris Johnson explain how the test and trace system would be made to work properly.Starmer said the PM has to explain this afternoon who areas subject to local lockdowns can get out of them. He also said he wanted to hear Boris Johnson explain how the test and trace system would be made to work properly.
He accused the government of treating areas in the north of England with contempt. He said:He accused the government of treating areas in the north of England with contempt. He said:
He said he was opposed to MPs getting a pay rise. (See 9.33am.) (Starmer said the money would be better spent on frontline workers. Many people would agree but, with roughly 1.5m people working for the NHS, scrapping a £3,360 pay rise for 650 MPs is not going to help much in terms of boosting pay for doctors and nurses.)He said he was opposed to MPs getting a pay rise. (See 9.33am.) (Starmer said the money would be better spent on frontline workers. Many people would agree but, with roughly 1.5m people working for the NHS, scrapping a £3,360 pay rise for 650 MPs is not going to help much in terms of boosting pay for doctors and nurses.)
He said that the SNP MP Margaret Ferrier should resign for breaking coronavirus rules in a way that was “jaw-dropping”.He said that the SNP MP Margaret Ferrier should resign for breaking coronavirus rules in a way that was “jaw-dropping”.
He refused to criticise the police for investigating the rightwing blogger Darren Grimes for releasing an interview with the historian David Starkey which featured Starkey making racist comments. Asked if the police should be investigating Grimes, Starmer said:He refused to criticise the police for investigating the rightwing blogger Darren Grimes for releasing an interview with the historian David Starkey which featured Starkey making racist comments. Asked if the police should be investigating Grimes, Starmer said:
When it was put to him that journalists have a right to ask questions, Starmer said:When it was put to him that journalists have a right to ask questions, Starmer said:
These quotes imply Starmer was making a general point about police involvement sometimes being appropriate in these cases, rather than explicitly endorsing the investigation of Grimes. But Starmer did not say he was not referring to Grimes, and so his comments sounded like at least a tacit endorsement of the police investigation. This means that, on this issue at least, he has achieved the rare feat of sounding less liberal than Priti Patel. This is what Patel posted about the issue on Twitter at the weekend.These quotes imply Starmer was making a general point about police involvement sometimes being appropriate in these cases, rather than explicitly endorsing the investigation of Grimes. But Starmer did not say he was not referring to Grimes, and so his comments sounded like at least a tacit endorsement of the police investigation. This means that, on this issue at least, he has achieved the rare feat of sounding less liberal than Priti Patel. This is what Patel posted about the issue on Twitter at the weekend.
And this is what Grimes himself posted on Twitter after the Starmer interview.And this is what Grimes himself posted on Twitter after the Starmer interview.
Grimes has been asked to attend a police interview under caution. The police say he has not been arrested.Grimes has been asked to attend a police interview under caution. The police say he has not been arrested.
Starmer said he would be willing to meet Rakhia Ismail, a former Islington mayor who called the programme to say she has recently left the Labour party because she felt they only wanted her for “tick box” purposes.Starmer said he would be willing to meet Rakhia Ismail, a former Islington mayor who called the programme to say she has recently left the Labour party because she felt they only wanted her for “tick box” purposes.
Starmer refused to explicitly endorse Joe Biden for next US president. He said it was not appropriate for him to express a view. But he said he wanted to see the US adopt an internationalist approach to coronavirus.Starmer refused to explicitly endorse Joe Biden for next US president. He said it was not appropriate for him to express a view. But he said he wanted to see the US adopt an internationalist approach to coronavirus.
In an interview on the Today programme this morning Steve Rotheram, the Liverpool city region mayor, said that they had been told by London that their region was going into the top tier for restrictions, the very high alert level. He said he was focusing on improving the support package available.In an interview on the Today programme this morning Steve Rotheram, the Liverpool city region mayor, said that they had been told by London that their region was going into the top tier for restrictions, the very high alert level. He said he was focusing on improving the support package available.
His comment about shouting at the wind sounded like a jibe at colleagues in Manchester for opposing any decision that would lead to their pubs having to close. (See 9.25am.)His comment about shouting at the wind sounded like a jibe at colleagues in Manchester for opposing any decision that would lead to their pubs having to close. (See 9.25am.)
From the BBC’s Vicki YoungFrom the BBC’s Vicki Young
Sir Keir Starmer is holding his LBC phone-in now. Asked about the 4.1% pay rise announced for MPs, that will take their annual salary to just over £85,000, he said MPs should not get it. He said:Sir Keir Starmer is holding his LBC phone-in now. Asked about the 4.1% pay rise announced for MPs, that will take their annual salary to just over £85,000, he said MPs should not get it. He said:
Starmer said he did not think MPs could vote against it. But he went on:Starmer said he did not think MPs could vote against it. But he went on:
Starmer also said he thought there should be a cross-party discussion about this.Starmer also said he thought there should be a cross-party discussion about this.
Good morning. Later today Boris Johnson will announce a new three-tier framework for local lockdowns in England. This will coincide with restrictions being toughened in some areas, because places in level three, the “very high” alert level, will face tougher rules than anything currently in force in England.Good morning. Later today Boris Johnson will announce a new three-tier framework for local lockdowns in England. This will coincide with restrictions being toughened in some areas, because places in level three, the “very high” alert level, will face tougher rules than anything currently in force in England.
Our overnight story is here.Our overnight story is here.
And Jamie Grierson explains here how the new system may work.And Jamie Grierson explains here how the new system may work.
Johnson is chairing a meeting of the government’s Cobra emergency committee now to discuss the new measures.Johnson is chairing a meeting of the government’s Cobra emergency committee now to discuss the new measures.
But it has not all been finalised yet, and it is quite possible that by the end of the day exact details of what is happening in some places will still not be resolved. Here are some indications that it’s not yet a done deal.But it has not all been finalised yet, and it is quite possible that by the end of the day exact details of what is happening in some places will still not be resolved. Here are some indications that it’s not yet a done deal.
Liverpool’s city mayor, metro mayor and six of the council leaders from the region issued a joint statement last night saying that the job support scheme for businesses in lockdown areas forced to shut was not enough. They said:Liverpool’s city mayor, metro mayor and six of the council leaders from the region issued a joint statement last night saying that the job support scheme for businesses in lockdown areas forced to shut was not enough. They said:
Joe Anderson, the Liverpool city mayor, posted a message on Twitter this morning accusing the government of “levelling down”. He also said he would continue to stand up for local businesses.Joe Anderson, the Liverpool city mayor, posted a message on Twitter this morning accusing the government of “levelling down”. He also said he would continue to stand up for local businesses.
Sir Richard Leese, the leader of Manchester city council, indicated on the Today programme that Manchester was still opposing measures that could lead to its pubs being shut. Manchester was different from Liverpool, he said. (Liverpool accepts its pubs will be shut.) Leese told the programme:Sir Richard Leese, the leader of Manchester city council, indicated on the Today programme that Manchester was still opposing measures that could lead to its pubs being shut. Manchester was different from Liverpool, he said. (Liverpool accepts its pubs will be shut.) Leese told the programme:
Oliver Dowden, the culture secretary, told the Today programme that, even though the PM was announcing a three-tier system, local leaders in the worst-hit areas would be able to add extra restrictions. He said in the the very high risk tier there would be “further discretion for local leaders, working with national government, to impose appropriate restrictions to control this virus”.Oliver Dowden, the culture secretary, told the Today programme that, even though the PM was announcing a three-tier system, local leaders in the worst-hit areas would be able to add extra restrictions. He said in the the very high risk tier there would be “further discretion for local leaders, working with national government, to impose appropriate restrictions to control this virus”.
Here is the agenda for the day.Here is the agenda for the day.
9am: Sir Keir Starmer hosts his LBC phone-in.9am: Sir Keir Starmer hosts his LBC phone-in.
11am: Prof Jonathan Van Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England, is due told a coronavirus data briefing.11am: Prof Jonathan Van Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England, is due told a coronavirus data briefing.
12pm: Downing Street is expected to hold its daily lobby briefing.12pm: Downing Street is expected to hold its daily lobby briefing.
12.15pm: Vaughan Gething, the Welsh health minister, holds the Welsh government’s regular coronavirus briefing.12.15pm: Vaughan Gething, the Welsh health minister, holds the Welsh government’s regular coronavirus briefing.
12.15pm: The Scottish government is due to hold its regular coronavirus briefing.12.15pm: The Scottish government is due to hold its regular coronavirus briefing.
2.30pm: Alex Chisholm, permanent secretary at the Cabinet Office, and Sir Chris Wormald, permanent secretary at the Department of Health, give evidence to the Commons public accounts committee about the supply of ventilators.2.30pm: Alex Chisholm, permanent secretary at the Cabinet Office, and Sir Chris Wormald, permanent secretary at the Department of Health, give evidence to the Commons public accounts committee about the supply of ventilators.
After 3.30pm: Boris Johnson makes a statement to MPs about the new local Covid alert levels.After 3.30pm: Boris Johnson makes a statement to MPs about the new local Covid alert levels.
Around 6pm: Johnson is due to hold a press conference.Around 6pm: Johnson is due to hold a press conference.
Politics Live has been doubling up as the UK coronavirus live blog for some time and, given the way the Covid crisis eclipses everything, this will continue for the foreseeable future. But we will be covering non-Covid political stories too.Politics Live has been doubling up as the UK coronavirus live blog for some time and, given the way the Covid crisis eclipses everything, this will continue for the foreseeable future. But we will be covering non-Covid political stories too.
Here is our global coronavirus live blog.Here is our global coronavirus live blog.
I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone.I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone.
If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter. I’m on @AndrewSparrow.If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter. I’m on @AndrewSparrow.